Doctor Who Saw Omicron Early Says Symptoms Different to Delta
- South African doctor Coetzee started seeing symptoms Nov. 18
- Coetzee says currently believes it will be a mild disease
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People infected by omicron in South Africa are showing very different symptoms to those suffering from the delta strain, said the doctor who alerted government scientists to the possibility of a new variant.
Patients who contracted it complain of fatigue, head and body aches and occasional sore throats and coughs, said Angelique Coetzee, who is also chairwoman of the South African Medical Association. Delta infections, by comparison, caused elevated pulse rates, resulted in low oxygen levels and a loss of smell and taste, she said.