MUSCAT: Oman is beginning to witness the decline in daily COVID-19 infections and have passed the peak in new cases, a top health expert said.
Dr. Zaid Al Hinai, an infectious disease consultant at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital explained on his official Twitter answered a series of questions regarding the latest update about the virus.
What are the expectations for the coming week?
The daily cases will gradually decrease and will reach a low level within 4-6 weeks (before Ramadan). But the injuries may increase if there is a significant lack of precautions. We have seen countries like Denmark witnessed a new rise after the peak was exceeded.
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When will death cases decrease?
Usually we see a decrease in the number of daily deaths after two to four weeks of drop in the number of daily infections. The reason for this delay is that severe infections with Covid-19 may intensify a week after infection with the virus and treatment. If successful it may take weeks.
Are deaths due to complications from the virus? Or is it another disease?
Prior to the Omicron wave, the vast majority of deaths were due to direct complications of the virus. With vaccination being held now, a percentage of deaths are from diseases not directly related to the virus, in Denmark this percentage is now estimated by half.
Will the pandemic end if the current Omicron wave ends?
There is optimism about this possibility. We hope that the pandemic will end and the world will live peacefully. But if the pandemic ends, this will not mean the disappearance of the virus, and some infections are expected to continue here and there, especially during winter.
Will there be new mutants in the future?
It is the nature of viruses to mutate, and this is what we saw first hand with Covid-19. Therefore, it is expected that new mutations will appear.
Will mutants in the future be more or less dangerous?
Nobody knows the answer to this question. All possibilities are available. The reason for optimism is that immumity acquired from vaccination or recovery from infection (or both) has provided good protection against severe infection with all the mutations so far.
Will we need an annual vaccination to protect against the virus?
Nobody know the answer to this question, as it depends on the severity. If the risk decreases further, we may not need, or only some (such as the elderly, health workers), but the risk may return to what everyone needs.
