I am writing this to the extensive aunty and uncle networks that flourish via WhatsApp and Telegram groups. I am sure all of you are aware of the Omicron variant, but may have a limited picture of what to expect. Allow me to share with you and your networks what we can expect with this variant in Malaysia.
Possible Omicron Wave In Malaysia From January To March 2022
The current detected cases of Omicron in the country may appear low, but we must realise that our genome testing is very limited (0.25 per cent of cases), compared to countries of our level of development.
If you look carefully at the data, you will see a steep rise in the number of infections in imported cases. Most of these are probably the Omicron variant. It is very likely, in many countries, including Singapore, that Omicron is beginning to spread locally in the community.
As we know from good data, Omicron spreads very fast and has a rapid doubling time of 1.5 to 2.5 days. This means that small numbers can rapidly escalate in a short time.
Note that the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) has already predicted a sharp rise in Covid-19 cases in Malaysia due to the Omicron variant, with a peak happening in January 2022.
Looking at what has happened in other countries, especially South Africa and the United Kingdom, Malaysia can expect a sharp rise in cases in the next one to three months, but we hope this will be short-lived.
How Will Omicron Impact Our Health?
What we know so far from the available data is that Omicron causes breakthrough infections more easily for those who are vaccinated, and appears to be less severe, but we have no idea of the risk of long Covid.
The latest technical briefing from Public Health England has data that offers better estimates of vaccine effectiveness (VE) against getting infected. To summarise:
Two doses of Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccines do not protect against the Omicron variant three to four months after vaccination (unlike with Delta). For those who received Pfizer vaccines, another Pfizer booster dose pushed up protection initially, but this dropped to about 45 per cent after 10 weeks. For those who received AstraZeneca vaccines, a Pfizer booster dose pushed up protection initially, but this dropped to about 35 per cent after 10 weeks. Boosting Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccine recipients with a Moderna vaccine produced better results. This data suggests that anyone can get infected despite being vaccinated, and that boosters have a moderate effect in reducing infection. Vaccines can reduce hospitalisation.
Note that VE against hospitalisation was not shown, which is of more value and importance to us. South African data suggested that hospitalisation was reduced significantly when one is infected with Omicron compared to Delta, but we must realise that their population has lower vaccination rates and higher natural immunity from extensive Covid-19 spread.
A detailed analysis of UK data by the Imperial College London suggests a 40 to 45 per cent reduction in hospitalisation risk when compared to the Delta variant.
This data suggests that Omicron is less severe, but bear in mind that being so much more infective means that it still can put many people in hospital.
What about the Sinovac vaccine and Omicron? There is no real-world data, unlike Pfizer and AstraZeneca, and we have to rely on laboratory antibody studies, which may not reflect what will happen.
Studies from the University of Hong Kong showed that two doses of Sinovac produced insufficient antibodies against Omicron. This was also the case for a Sinovac booster dose. The University of Hong Kong team recommended that Sinovac vaccine recipients receive a Pfizer booster dose.
In summary, Omicron will infect many of us, some of us will be hospitalised, and certain vaccine boosters offer protection. We have no idea at present of Omicron’s long Covid risk but experts in the United States do not expect it “to be any different than previous variants”.
What Are The Concerns For The Health Care System And Society?
The concern of a new Covid-19 wave will put stress on our health care system. Health care workers are beyond the point of exhaustion, and ICU beds are limited. Another wave will increase bed usage, put additional strain on the system, and limit health care for other medical conditions.
We should also worry about our children, especially those aged below 12. They are unprotected and will be difficult to shield from the very infectious Omicron variant.
Their schooling may be disrupted again. We need to seriously consider using the Pfizer vaccine, originally meant for teenagers and adults, at a smaller dose for children aged 5 to 11, as well as improve classroom ventilation.
What Can We Do to Improve Our Protection (Reduce Our Risk)?
None of us are looking forward to any form of a lockdown, as it will further harm the poor, the economy, and the mental health of all. In medicine, we often talk about a return to
The number of patients in England admitted into hospital with Covid-19 has reached its highest level since mid-February after a 74% rise in a week. In London, hospital admissions have increased by 73%. A total of 8,474 people were in hospital in England with Covid-19 as of 8am today – the highest number since 5 March
WHO says Omicron risk ‘very high’; Europe faces COVID surge: Live
France, UK, Italy, Greece, and Portugal all hit record daily infections, with France reporting almost 180,000 cases.
The risk posed by the Omicron variant is still “very high”, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday, after COVID-19 case numbers shot up by 11 percent globally last week.
The seven-day average of U.S. cases topped 267,000 on Tuesday, with Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia particularly hard hit. The C.D.C. lowered its estimate of Omicron’s prevalence in the U.S.
*sigh.. what will it take to get through these doomsday prophets thick-damn skulls that high cases does not equate profitable glove companies like the mayday of 2020...
Coronavirus digest: Global cases surge due to omicron
Much of Europe, the US and even Australia are logging record COVID caseloads as the omicron variant spreads. The WHO has warned that the variant still posed a "very high" risk.
UK COVID cases soar to new daily record of 183,037
France, Italy and Greece also reported record daily highs as WHO warned of COVID ‘tsunami’.
The risk posed by the Omicron variant is still “very high”, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said, after COVID-19 case numbers shot up by 11 percent globally last week.
Omicron surge is 'unlike anything we've ever seen,' expert says
(CNN)An unprecedented spike in Covid-19 cases fueled by the fast-moving Omicron variant is crushing hospitals across the United States, with doctors describing packed emergency rooms as health experts implore New Year's Eve revelers to keep parties small and outdoors to help avert an even worse surge.
Cases Rise ‘Through the Roof’ as Omicron Sweeps Across U.S.
Peak could reach one million infections per day by mid-January
Rapid spread threatens to hamper essential services for weeks
As the omicron variant sweeps the country, daily cases are reaching unheard-of levels, crossing the half-million mark, and are only expected to go much higher.
After ‘Delmicron’, it's ‘flurona’: Israel reports first double infection of Covid and flu
At a time when the world is grappling with Delta and Omicron variants, and the combination of both called ‘Delmicron’ variant of coronavirus, Israel has reported its first case of 'flurona'— a simultaneous coronavirus and flu infection.
PETALING JAYA: There is a high possibility of an Omicron wave starting in Malaysia, such as seen in other countries around the world currently, says Khairy Jamaluddin.
Covid-19: High possibility of Omicron wave hitting Malaysia, says Khairy
PETALING JAYA: There is a high possibility of an Omicron wave starting in Malaysia, such as seen in other countries around the world currently, says Khairy Jamaluddin.
Fauci warns of danger of hospitalisation surge in the US due to large number of COVID-19 cases
Top US infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci said there was still a danger of a surge in hospitalisation due to a large number of coronavirus cases even as early data suggests the Omicron COVID-19 variant is less severe.
456 new COVID-19 cases in Singapore, highest in more than 2 weeks
SINGAPORE: Singapore reported 456 new COVID-19 cases as of noon on Saturday (Jan 1), including a high of 260 imported infections.
There was one fatality, taking the country's death toll from coronavirus complications to 829, according to the latest infection statistics on the Ministry of Health's (MOH) website.
Experienced investors are always monitoring “ASP” for gloves from China which has become huge threat to Malaysia-based glove makers ; Inexperienced players can’t even know the simple perception in this industry.
Capitalise markets are always manipulated by big players with updated information. Following influenced trend by big players is a basic investment knowledge . Interesting trend in year 2022 for ….
Opened learning is the way for our improvement ( 不耻下问, 举一反三), my 2 cents.
Why this Covid-19 surge is 'unprecedented in this pandemic'
(CNN)The new year is starting with a massive influx of Covid-19 that's different from any other during this pandemic, doctors say. "We're seeing a surge in patients again, unprecedented in this pandemic," said Dr. James Phillips, chief of disaster medicine at George Washington University Hospital.
"What's coming for the rest of the country could be very serious. And they need to be prepared."
This book is the result of the author's many years of experience and observation throughout his 26 years in the stockbroking industry. It was written for general public to learn to invest based on facts and not on fantasies or hearsay....
UPlanet
1,450 posts
Posted by UPlanet > 2021-12-27 11:52 | Report Abuse
Those who don’t like goreng counters, can go buy LcTitan or Mfcb, purely strong fundamentals and good prospects!!! Please go go go……!!! Wakakaka!!!