People in South Africa who become infected with COVID-19 in the current fourth wave of infections are 80 percent less likely to be hospitalized if they become infected with the Omicron variant compared to other variants, according to a study published by the National Institutes of Infectious Diseases. 

According to foreign media, once someone is admitted to the hospital, the risk of serious illness does not differ from other variants, said the authors led by scientists Nicole Walter and Cheryl Cohen. 

Compared to Delta infections in South Africa between April and November, Omicron infections are associated with a 70 percent lower risk of serious illness, they said. Omicron data were collected for the months to November. 

Ever since it was identified by South African scientists on November 25, the Omicron variant has spurred record numbers of cases across the country. Africa's most developed economy has completely inoculated about 44 percent of its adult population over a seven-month period.