Microbiologist Austriaco says Omicron the beginning of the end of COVID-19 pandemic

The more transmissible Omicron variant is the beginning of the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, a microbiologist said on Thursday.

According to Lei Alviz's report on "24 Oras", molecular biologist Fr. Nic Austriaco said the highly contagious COVID-19 variant was providing population immunity through the antibodies of those who have recovered.

“We have to realize that Omicron is the beginning of the end of the pandemic because Omicron is going to provide the kind of population immunity that should stabilize our societies, this is the hope and prayer,” Austriaco said.

A fellow of OCTA Research, Austriaco said a study shows that some individuals who have recovered from Omicron developed antibodies against earlier variants of the virus.

He said the surge in cases would be followed by a fast decline.

“Omicron is actually a blessing. It will be hard for one month but afterward, it should be a blessing because it will provide the population protection that we need everywhere,” Austriaco said.

GMA News Online has reached out to other fellows of the OCTA Research group and the Department of Health for comment but has yet to receive a reply as of posting time.

Meanwhile, Austriaco said that it was a different situation for unvaccinated individuals.

“That’s still difficult. It will still send you at some numbers to the hospital, at some numbers, unfortunately, it will kill a few of our kababayans,” Austriaco said.

Earlier, the Philippines detected 29 more cases of the Omicron, bringing the total confirmed cases in the country to 43.

Meanwhile, the DOH logged 17,220 new COVID-19 cases, the highest daily infections recorded since September 28, 2021.

An OCTA fellow projected that this is expected to further increase by over 20,000 on Friday. —Joahna Lei Casilao/NB, GMA News