No evidence has come to light yet that indicates the Omicron virus variant causes more severe illness when compared to other strains, South African officials said Friday. South Africa scientists were the first to identify Omicron, a variant of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, which causes COVID-19. Science on Omicron’s severity “is not yet clear,” South African Health Minister Joe Paahla told reporters in a virtual briefing. COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations have jumped in South Africa in recent weeks, driving fears that Omicron could cause more severe illness than earlier strains like Delta. The country reported 22,391 new cases on Thursday, up from under 20,000 the day prior and about 8,500 a week before. Over 430 people were admitted to hospitals with COVID-19 in 24 hours, authorities reported, more than triple those seen on Dec. 1. But the increase in hospitalizations “may be largely due to overall big numbers of infections,” Paahla …