Omicron has higher ‘asymptomatic carriage’ rate than previous outbreaks, finds studies - The Financial Express

The newest variant of concern, probable cause for surge in Covid-19 cases in India has a higher rate of asymptomatic “carriage” that earlier variants and also a higher rate of infection than earlier outbreak?

The positivity rate was in stark contrast with studies conducted before Omicron was detected in South Africa when the positivity rate at first vaccination visit was between 1 and 2.4 per cent.

A total of 577 participants were studied and the mean symptomatic carriage rate was found to be 16 per cent during the Omicron period, much higher than in Beta or Delta outbreak at 2.6 per cent.