Early reports that Omicron causes less-severe disease than Delta seem to be borne out, but it’s not yet clear to what extent that’s due to the variant itself versus the populations it’s infecting.
A reliable primary reference measurement procedure is the key to many forms of measurement across a diverse range of scientific research. The ability of digital PCR to quantify nucleic acids without the need for calibration will likely make it an essential tool for laboratories around the world to calibrate their measurements against.