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Omicron replicates seventy times faster than earlier variants in the cells of the wind pipe, which may explain the high transmission rates currently being seen. However, it is much slower at replicating in the cells of the lung, which offer hope that infections could be mild for most people, says Hong Kong University virologist Malik Peiris.

Photo: Omicron variant (B.1.1.529): Immunofluorescence staining of uninfected and infected Vero E6 cells Credit: Getty Images