Theratechnologies Inc T.TH

RE:RE:RE:RE:RE:RE:RE:Omicron

[qwerty22]

Don't expect a politician's retreat from a panicked position to look rational or dignified.

SPCEO1 wrote: I did see that claim of similar virulence from the UK study but the reputation of that group is not great in my mind as they were way off the mark in some of their earlier predictions on covid. And there really was just one line in a report about it and no data. There have been increases in hospitalizations in South Africa but far less than in previous waves. In the UK, there was a somewhat comical interview with the health secretary where she could barely point to any Omicron impacts yet. But the data today is starting to show some impact. The Danes are doign a good job of following covid so we should keep an eye on them. But taking everything together, the virulence does not yet look worse than Delta and we only have that one UK study with no data making a claim of similiar virulence. Some are claimming Omicronis so mild that they are referring to it as the Omnicron cold. Let's hope that is all that it is turns out to be but even then, for people who are compromised from a health perspective, like terminally ill cancer patients, Omnicron will likely still be a serious health risk. So, it could impact TH even if most  of us are not too badly impacted.
 

jfm1330 wrote: Out of a recent study made in the UK, there is no evidence omicron is less virulent than delta. This early impression of lower virulence came from South Africa where the population involved was much younger. What I heard from virologists here in Quebec is that omicron is very likely to be as virulent as delta, but much more contagious, but again, the main problem is for the unvaccinated (two or three doses). Vaccine will not offer a great protection against omicron infection, but still a great protection against severe illness, hospitalization and death.

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/17/no-evidence-that-covid-omicron-variant-less-severe-than-delta-uk-study.html

SPCEO1 wrote: The evidence we have so far mostly suggests that Omicron is far less virulent as Delta. Let's hope it stays that way. But, as I said, even if it does, the math is still hard to get around. More infections, even with less virulence, will still cause a lot of problems for hospitals and they have enough problems already in many places dealing with the consequences of the Delta variant in the colder weather.

The other big issue is how unpredictable covid has been. We think we know what it might do next but it usually surprises us. Maybe we will get a positive surprise with Omicron in that its low impact will persist over time.

jfm1330 wrote: The problem with omicron, again, is that it is three to four times more contagious than delta, but as virulent. Yes the vaccine will not protect very well against catching it, but with a third shot it is still very efficacious at preventing severe illness, hospitalizations and death. The problem lies in the unvaccinated people. This time around, the unvaxed are much less likely to avoid it. Elderly people and those with other problems like obesity will also be hit hard, even if they are properly vaccinated. New daily cases are skyrocketting here in Qubec and again, we have a 90% vaccination rate in the 12+ population. Imagine that in a US state with a vaccination rate of 70%. There will be much more severe illness, hospitalizations and deaths. Add on top of that all other patients, like cancer patients, in need of treatment or surgeries, that will be postponed.

SPCEO1 wrote: While I tend to agree that we should not be in an alarmist mode over Omicron until such time as we see a lot of hospitalizations occurring because of it, the math still looks worrisome even if it does not cause a lot of serious illness. That is simply because of how many people will get it. It is breaking through triple vaxed people and people who were infected before. So, there is a very good chance that most of us will end up getting an Omicron infection. If only a small percentage of those end up hospitalized, it still is going to hammer the health care systems around the world and wreak havic on the world's economy. And many hospitals are already severely overtaxed by mostly unvaxed people getting sick with the Delta variant. From a TH perspective, it could play havoc with finalizing the phase 1a and put a real kink in getting the phase 1b started. It may turn out that no interruptions in these trials are necessary but with the less than ideal way governments have handled covid so far, I would not be surprised if TH had to contend with some complications in getting these trials completed.

realitycheck4u wrote: And no one one is getting seriously ill. The percentage of double vaccinated people drying per 100000 is lower than auto accidents deaths. It's a flu. It is insane to include double or triple vax in lockdowns in any circumstance. Liberals/snowflakes/dems are bonkers

jfm1330 wrote: I fear this new variant will mess up a lot of things in the coming months. This variant is three to four times as contagious as the delta, and as virulent. We will very likely end up with shutdowns in many sectors. Here in Quebec our vaccination rate for the 12 years old and older is 90%, and this thing is rising sharply and Omicron is still not the dominant variant. So imagine in the US in many states where the vaccination rate is much lower. I fear it could be worst than the first wave.