The Omicron variant of coronavirus is less likely to result in hospitalisation or severe disease, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed.
Public health experts have published preliminary findings from their research into the new variant, which is understood to be highly transmissible and is spreading rapidly in the UK and other parts of the world.
The variant, first identified in South Africa, has been analysed by scientists, who believe it results in less severe disease for those infected with it than previous variants.
However, the UKHSA has warned that the new strain could still lead to significant numbers of people needing hospital treatment over coming weeks due to its transmissibility advantage.
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