every varying is an evolution, and the virus has every varying is an evolution, and the virus has a lot of room to evolve, the virus has a lot of room to evolve, and it will continue to do so quite evolve, and it will continue to do so quite fast, probably for the next couple so quite fast, probably for the next couple of so quite fast, probably for the next couple of years. those changes will alter the couple of years. those changes will alter the properties of the virus. there alter the properties of the virus. there is alter the properties of the virus. there is no alter the properties of the virus. there is no guarantee that the next variant there is no guarantee that the next variant is there is no guarantee that the next variant is as there is no guarantee that the next variant is as reduced severity as omicron variant is as reduced severity as omicron it variant is as reduced severity as omicron. it could be the same, it could omicron. it could be the s
specifically. is that what you re expecting the virus to do in other countries like the u.s., once omicron takes hold. yeah, i think for me, the critical issue was whether its transmissibility advantage could exceed delta. because and that s not clear that s the case right now. the evidence is appointing in that direction, but it s not definitive. but if it can spread faster than delta, transmissibility is going to be the key factor that will determine whether it will displace delta. and if it s going to displace delta, that means it s going to spread throughout the world, because delta is now the globally dominant variant. and if that happens, and given the rate at which it spreads, we re looking at this occurring within next few weeks to months. yeah. and that s what we ll be looking for. professor, as always, thank you so much for letting us know what you re seeing there on the ground.
we re still getting variants? no doubt about it. when you have a high degree of viral dynamics in the circulation of this country or any country in the world, it s a danger essentially to everyone because once the virus has the capability of freely mutating and freely transmitting from person to person, ultimately you re going to get mutations. not every mutation is relevant but every once in awhile you get a consolation of mutations that are worrisome and that s what we re dealing with this current variant, the omicron. that s the situation we re facing now. we don t know a lot about it as you said, but it has these mutations that are strongly suggestive that it has a transmissibility advantage namely it transmits very efficiently and also some suggestion that it might invade some of the protection from