China Says Dominant Omicron Strain Less of a Threat Than Original Covid

China’s top public health body said omicron and its subvariants have proved to be significantly less pathogenic and virulent than the original strain of Covid-19 and other variants, such as delta, in another sign policymakers are looking to further ease tough restrictions amid rising public frustration.

Omicron and its subvariants, including BA.1, BA.2 and BA.5, have become the dominant strains in China’s repeated outbreaks this year.