Omicron Ravishes Throughout the United States

By: Elsa Plank

As the holiday season has ended, the detrimental effects of the newest COVID-19 variant, Omicron, have infected the US. As a result, the COVID cases have taken a sharp incline in recent weeks, to almost six times what they were before the past surges.

“CDC Covid Data Tracker.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The CDC predicts that the Omicron variant is more likely to be contagious than the original SARS-coV-2 virus, and it spreads three times as fast as the Delta variant. Although this variant is more likely to be contagious, the death rates from Omicron have lowered compared to Delta and previous variants, with a 3.69 death rate per 100k of those infected. Although the death rate has lowered, it is still vital that everyone does their part by getting vaccinated if possible, wearing masks, and practicing social distancing to prevent the chances of infection. Several studies specify that a vaccine and booster give the most protection against the Omicron variant.
Symptoms of Omicron include upper respiratory infection (nasal congestion), sore throat, muscle pain, and a dry cough. Testing regularly and if these symptoms occur will help prevent the spread of Omicron.