“It is theoretically possible to simultaneously infect a person with two strains,” - Bidzina Kulumbegov

Allergist-immunologist Bidzina Kulumbegov spoke on Imedi TV about a new variant of the coronavirus - Omicron.  

According to Kulumbegov, "omicron" has not become easier than the flu, and no one knows what this virus will turn into in the future.

“We are aware of the many respiratory viruses that now exist near us. We have little information about Omicron and we do not know what this virus will eventually turn out to be. It is rapidly transmitted, but at the same time, the number of severe cases and deaths has decreased. But omicron has not become milder than the flu, and its spread will overwhelm the hospital staff.

Only 5% of people infected with Omicron need hospitalization. These may be mild symptoms, but if many people get sick in a short period of time, they will still need to be hospitalized.

50% is the risk that a person who has had a coronavirus will get sick with Omicron. Immunity has not been proven. If we have clinical symptoms and tests do not show the presence of the virus, we must still stay at home. It doesn't matter what kind of virus we have. Theoretically, it is also possible to simultaneously infect a person with two strains.

The period of isolation is reduced to 8 days, although a mask will be required for 5 days. "And the person who was in contact with the patient, vaccinated twice and 14 days have passed since the vaccination, will be released from isolation," - Bidzina Kulumbegov said.

According to the allergist-immunologist, half of all cases circulating in the country are now Omicron.

“We have official data released by the leaders of the Center for Disease Control, and basically, as they say, the prevalence of Omicron in Tbilisi is 60%, in the whole country, about 40 to 50%. Roughly speaking, half of all cases circulating in the country are now "omicron", and it is spreading very quickly. “Therefore, it will take approximately 10-14 days, and all cases of infection in the country will fall on the Omicron strain, this will definitely not take much time,” - said the allergist-immunologist.