Head of the World Health Organization (WHO) Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has expressed concern about the impact that the Omicron variant of COVID-19 is having on healthcare workers across the world.

Speaking at a press briefing this morning (January 18, 2022), Dr. Ghebreyesus noted that the number of deaths remains stable, but the variant is having a major impact on health services worldwide.

He said already stressed health workers, are being overburdened.

Dr. Ghebreyesus noted that while Omicron may be less severe on average, the narrative that it is a mild disease is misleading and could hurt the overall COVID response, causing more deaths.

He said Omicron is leading to increased hospitalizations that are inundating health facilities.