But other scientists believe that the early signs are clearer and more positive. If anything, they say, Omicron may be milder than previous variants. Hospitalization and death rates in South Africa have not soared even as cases have. Intriguingly, patients are reporting less loss of taste and smell.

Dr. David Dowdy, another Johns Hopkins epidemiologist, told me that he happened to have a close research collaboration with scientists in Tshwane, a South African city at the epicenter of the outbreak. His colleagues there have told him that hospitalizations and oxygen demand are lower than during previous waves. “I think the signs are actually extremely optimistic,” he said.

You’ll hear some similar messages in these Bloomberg interviews with South African scientists. “It’s early days, but I’m less panicked,” said Richard Friedland, the chief executive of the country’s largest network of private health care providers. “It feels different to me on the ground.”