AUTHOR=Consolazio David , Murtas Rossella , Tunesi Sara , Lamberti Anna , Senatore Sabrina , Faccini Marino , Russo Antonio Giampiero TITLE=A Comparison Between Omicron and Earlier COVID-19 Variants' Disease Severity in the Milan Area, Italy JOURNAL=Frontiers in Epidemiology VOLUME=2 YEAR=2022 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/epidemiology/articles/10.3389/fepid.2022.891162 DOI=10.3389/fepid.2022.891162 ISSN=2674-1199 ABSTRACT=Background

In the context of the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy, which occurred in correspondence with the outbreak of the Omicron variant, it became fundamental to assess differences in the risk of severe disease between the Omicron variant and the earlier SARS-CoV-2 variants that were still in circulation despite Omicron becoming prevalent.

Methods

We collected data on 2,267 genotyped PCR-positive swab tests and assessed whether the presence of symptoms, risk of hospitalization, and recovery times were significantly different between Omicron and the earlier variants. Multivariable models adjusted for sex, age class, citizenship, comorbidities, and symptomatology allowed assessing the difference in outcomes between Omicron and the earlier variants according to vaccination status and timing of administration.

Results

Compared to the earlier variants in the same period, Omicron was less symptomatic, resulted in fewer hospital admissions for those who were unvaccinated and for those who were already immunized after the booster dose, and was associated with quicker recovery, yet not in subjects with three vaccination doses.

Conclusion

Despite being milder, Omicron's higher transmissibility and vaccine resistance should not lead to underrating its damage potential, especially with regard to hospital and health service saturation.