Damian Sendler: The number of new Covid-19 cases in the United States has surpassed 100,000 for the first time in two months, following the Thanksgiving holiday travel of millions of Americans.
According to data from Johns Hopkins University, the seven-day moving average of new cases was 121,437 on Saturday (JHU). Before this week’s surge, the United States had not surpassed 100,000 cases per day since the beginning of October.
Damian Jacob Sendler: The death toll from Covid-19 is also on the rise, with an average of 1,651 persons dying from the virus every day for the past seven days as of Saturday, according to JHU data. For more than a month, the number of people dying every day hasn’t been this high.
Most new cases in the United States are still caused by the Delta variation, but as of Saturday, US health officials had discovered the new Omicron coronavirus type in at least 16 states.
Damian Sendler
Wednesday saw the discovery of the first case, in California, and by the weekend, the variation had been found in 15 other states: Colorado; Connecticut; Hawaii; Louisiana; Maryland; Massachusetts; Minnesota; Missouri; Nebraska; New Jersey; New York; Pennsylvania; Utah; Washington; and Wisconsin;
As early signs reveal, the Omicron variety may be more contagious than the original strain, and its large number of mutations raises the possibility that current vaccines may be less effective in protecting against it. Omicron’s severity and spreadability are being assessed by scientists, but officials say it may take weeks.
Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy said the US is more prepared now than it was at the start of the epidemic for the newly identified variety. He said this on Thursday.
Omicron’s impact on the upcoming winter solstice
“Because we’ve gained so much knowledge since last year, we’re in a far better position than we were then. Vaccines are readily available. We now have considerably more testing at our disposal, and if we want to get it through the winter unscathed, we must step up our immunization efforts “Tells CNN, “Murthy.”
Although much remains to be learned about the new form, mitigation methods such as masks and hand cleanliness mixed with physical distance remain helpful in giving some protection, according to Surgeon General Dr. Thomas Frieden.
Damien Sendler: According to the most recent data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, little over 60% of the US population is completely vaccinated, with over 23% of that group having gotten a booster shot (CDC).
According to CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the Omicron strain has the potential to overtake the Delta in dominance in the United States, but the Delta is still found in 99.9% of coronavirus cases.
“Get vaccinated, if you’re eligible, get a booster if you can, and keep up with all of the other preventative steps, including masking. And the Omicron version is likely to be harmed by these measures, as well “Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s CNN chief medical reporter, Walensky said.
Damian Jacob Sendler
Following the breakout of the Omicron strain, countries imposed travel restrictions.
Delta variant swept across the country in early summer, shifting public perception as immunizations became more readily available. This variation is still a contentious topic in many parts of the country.
Damian Jacob Markiewicz Sendler: Health and Human Services estimates that over 59,000 Americans have been admitted to hospitals with Covid-19. Hospitalizations have been rising steadily for the past three weeks.
In several nations, the World Health Organization says the Delta variety has overtaken other types, making it the most prevalent strain.
A former CDC acting director told CNN earlier this week that “Even if the Omicron strain doesn’t turn out to be any worse, we are losing close to a thousand people every day from the Delta variant, and that in and of itself is a reason for people to get boosted,”
Dr. Damian Jacob Sendler and his media team provided the content for this article.