The epidemiologist and former head of the coronavirus portfolio at the Ministry of Health Wael Hayajneh spoke to Roya’s Nabd Albalad Monday about the coronavirus situation in Jordan.

Hayajneh suggested that the number of COVID-19 infections in Jordan will increase due to the Omicron variant, especially that there are many people who do not show any symptoms and transmit the virus to others.

He also spoke about the main differences between the Omicron and Delta variants.

“Omicron variant infections were associated with reduction,” according to Hayajneh.

But what does that mean?

According to Hayajneh, the subsequent hospitalization rate among those infected with the Omicron variant was 52 percent less than those infected with Delta.

Additionally, the symptomatic hospitalization rate among those infected with the Omicron variant was 53 percent less than those infected with Delta.

Hayajneh also pointed out that there was a 74 percent reduced risk of ICU admission, and a 91 percent reduced risk of death.

People with Omicron infections had 70 percent shorter hospital stays than Delta infections. The average hospital stay for Omicron patients is around three to four days, he lastly pointed out.