Omicron strain accounts for 96% of COVID cases in Italy

The Omicron variant now accounts for nearly all new infections in Italy, the National Health Institute said, accounting for almost 96% of cases in a flash survey, Report informs, referring to The Guardian.

The previous survey from January 3 showed Omicron responsible for 81% of cases.

“In Italy on January 17, the Omicron variant was predominant, with an estimated prevalence of 95.8%, while Delta was at 4.2% of the sample tested,” the institute said in a statement.

The analysis is based on 2,486 swabs tested in 124 laboratories and collected in all 21 Italian regions and autonomous provinces.