Geoffrey Smith

Investing.com — One week ago, the Omicron version of the Covid-19 viruses was making headlines. It threatened a new wave economic and human misery.

It looks like the north hemisphere still has some difficult weeks ahead. Fast-forward a week. It is possible that the end to the pandemic might finally be within reach if North America or Europe manages them well.

The fear that this new strain could prove more dangerous and therefore more fatal than the Delta version of Covid-19, has been misplaced. This variant is responsible for most of the estimated 5.3 million deaths attributable to Covid-19.

“It almost certainly is not more severe than Delta,” Anthony Fauci, chief medical adviser to U.S. President Joe Biden told AFP on Tuesday, pointing to the widening gap between infection rates and hospital admissions in South Africa, where the new strain was first identified.

If the research continues to be positive, then the world will have less reason to worry about another round of restrictive economic and social restrictions to stop the collapse of the public health system.

A new South African study has shown that the vaccine boosters are not effective in protecting against this new strain. Because of its higher transmissibility, there is potential for an increase in the number of cases in the northern hemisphere when seasonal factors reach their peak.

An assertion from Pfizer BioNTech and (NYSE:), both suggested Wednesday that the third dose of their vaccine could increase antibody levels, allowing for a protection level comparable to that provided by older versions. But, it’s still not clear that people have three doses. It is also doubtful that booster shots will keep up with new variants. South Africa has seen an increase in infection rates during the current wave.