[russellw]

Some early research for Omicron out of South Africa provided by the private health group Netcare who have about 10k hospital beds throughout the country.

The comparison is for hospital admissions and treatment across the Delta and Omicron waves but it should be cautioned that the latter is still not at a peak.

68% of Delta patients presenting to hospital required hospitalisation compared to 41.6% for Omicron - about 30% less.

The average age of patients admitted to hospital was significantly lower for Omicron than Delta - 42 vs 58.

The proportion of patients presenting with an acute respiratory condition was a lot lower (31.6%) for Omicron then Delta (91.2%).

The proportion of patients requiring oxygen therapy significantly decreased - 17.6% for Omicron vs 74% for Delta.

Admission to intensive care was 18.5% for Omicron vs 29.9% for Delta.

The median LOS (7-8 days in previous waves) decreased to 3 days for Omicron.

The mortality rate was 2.7% for Omicron compared to 19.7% (Alpha) and 29.1% (Delta). Note that those rates are only based on those actually hospitalised!