A new study carried out in the USA has concluded that the Omicron variant of COVID-19 is intrinsically as severe as previous variants, unlike previous studies which have been claiming that it spreads faster but was less severe.

Although the unadjusted rates of hospital admission and mortality appeared to be higher in previous waves compared to the Omicron period, after adjusting for various demographics, comorbidity and vaccination status, the study found that the risks of hospitalization and mortality were nearly identical between periods.

Our analysis suggests that the intrinsic severity of the Omicron variant may be as severe as previous variants.

The large study carried out in the USA was based on 130,000 coronavirus patients.

The study, which is undergoing peer review at Nature Portfolio was posted on Research Square on May 2.

The studies that assumed that the Omicron variant was less severe were conducted in various places such as South Africa, Scotland, England, and Canada, said the scientists from Massachusetts General Hospital, Minerva University and Harvard Medical School.

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