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Sunday, October 6
Omicron Cases Reported in 44 States as COVID-19 Cases Rise Across the US
Authorities of 44 states have reported new cases of the Omicron variant, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Although the cases of coronavirus with the Omicron variant reported so far have been mild, experts advise that take every precaution to prevent further infections.
Arkansas, Delaware, Kentucky, Maine and Wyoming , reported their first cases of COVID – 19 of the Omicron variant on Friday. The fast-spreading variant had already been detected in 39 states previously.
“If there are a lot of hospital workers, nurses and doctors and ICU staff who call your home because they have symptomatic COVID, that will really affect a healthcare system that it is already under stress, ”said Dr. Peter Hotez , professor of pediatrics and molecular virology at Baylor College of Medicine, to CBS News.
Across the country, many hospitals are already in a breaking point due to the winter waves of the Delta variant. In Wisconsin, just over 4% of ICU beds are available. In Nebraska, frontline workers are overwhelmed.
New York City now reports 8, 300 new cases per day, according to state health officials. The increase is causing long lines at test centers and prompting some companies like Citibank to tell employees to work from home.
In Orlando, Florida, Omicron was found in nearly 100% of sewage samples taken this week, authorities said.
CDC is pushing again for people to get vaccinated against COVID – are no longer recommended, in light of new data on the risk of a rare blood clotting side effect related to injection from Johnson & Johnson.
Nationwide , hospitalizations increased by approximately 3% and deaths increased by approximately 7% during the last week. But some regions are experiencing a much more pronounced increase.
Eighteen states and the District of Columbia have reported increases of more than 5% in new COVID admissions – 19 in hospitals in the past week.
Washington DC leads the nation with an increase in 39% in hospitalizations. Connecticut’s COVID Admissions – 24 have increased by 24% during the last week. New Jersey, Illinois, South Carolina, Alabama and Georgia each reported an increase in the 11 % or more.
The daily vaccination rate increased and a 72. 5% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID vaccine – 19, while the 61. 3% are fully vaccinated, according to data from CDC, and more than half were booster doses.
President Biden said Thursday that vaccinations and boosters are essential to keep business and holiday gatherings safe. “For the unvaccinated, we are facing a winter of serious illness and death,” he said. “But there is good news if you are vaccinated and have your booster shot, you are protected against serious illness and death.”
It may interest you:
– Court of Appeals reinstates Biden COVID vaccine mandate – 19 for business
– CDC updates COVID testing guide – 19 in schools to avoid quarantines
– What are the symptoms of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus?