Almost all samples sequenced at Oslo University Hospital point to the omicron variant, so the sequencing is stopping
The omicron variant has been confirmed in 97% of the analyzed corona samples at Oslo University Hospital (OUS). As the rate is so high, the OUS is stopping sequencing work.
“We got an early indication that this was a more contagious variant. From previous variants, we know that when it is more contagious, it simply takes over,” department head Fredrik Müller at the department of microbiology at OUS told the newspaper VG.
On Thursday and Friday this week, 97% of the analyses confirmed the omicron variant, which took over as the dominant virus variant in Norway earlier this month.
In comparison, only 1% of the analyzed samples pointed to omicron at the beginning of December. After a month and a half, the work of examining all the samples for omicron is now complete.
“The Norwegian Institute of Public Health has said that when the variant exceeds 90%, it is not necessary to carry out such an examination of variants. We are ending it soon,” Müller said.
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