The Omicron Variant Appears To Be Less Severe, But Higher Transmissibility May Cancel Out The Effect, Especially In The U.S. Preliminary data suggest that the Omicron variant is less severe than its predecessor, Delta. But, Omicron’s much higher transmissibility may cancel out the effect. Furthermore, the U.S. will likely suffer more from the Omicron wave than other wealthy, industrialized nations.