USA COVID-19 deaths exceed 800,000 as omicron cases on the rise
Delta still dominates but Omicron rising -- now more than 10% of new cases in NY, NJ and 3% nationwide; existing vaccines plus boosters sufficient, says Fauci
A complicated, confusing time
Despite a concerning trend of new cases and deaths, there is some good news in the mix: even though omicron appears to evade some of the vaccine protection, the existing vaccines appear to still prevent the vast majority of severe COVID-19 cases. And, both lab studies and early clinical data indicate that the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines plus a booster are highly protective. (See slide from White House briefing below.)
But the bad news is that, after months of nearly 100% of new COVID-19 cases being caused by the delta variant, omicron is spreading — and the trend strongly suggests that the USA will experience a surge similar to what happened in the United Kingdom and elsewhere in the previous month.
Watch for the definition of “fully vaccinated” to change before long. Even before omicron, data was accumulating to strongly suggest that the mRNA vaccines work best when given as a three-shot regimen. The CDC’s vaccine advisers meet Thursday: the agenda includes updating guidance for use of the J&J “one shot” vaccine, including a review of rare blood clots associated with the vaccine.
The Metropolitan Opera isn’t waiting for officials to change the definition: Starting in January, audience, staff and performers all must be boosted.
And if you haven’t gotten a booster yet, it’s time to get one.
Lots more news of note, too
Omicron has now been detected in 36 states and 75 countries, according to CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, and it is starting to encroach on the delta variant’s dominance. Walensky said omicron is estimated to account for about 3% of all new cases in the USA during the past week. However, Walensky estimates that the rate is closer to 13% in New York and New Jersey, and the variant has been detected in 90% of counties across the USA.
Omicron appears to transmit very quickly — doubling of cases every two days, which is about twice as fast as delta, which was much faster than prior strains. This latest estimate of omicron’s doubling rate is faster than was observed in parts of South Africa last month.
In Europe, omicron is expected to become the dominant strain within the next 4-6 weeks. Britain’s top health officer warns that a “staggering” number of new cases is likely in the next few days. On Wednesday, the UK recorded more than 78,000 new cases — the most since the pandemic started.
The bottom line: this virus is going to keep spreading — and finding vulnerable people. It doesn’t have to be this way.
“We have the resources and we know what works to keep everything open, to not shut down schools, to not shut down the government, to not shut down businesses. We are comforted by the resources and what we have learned and the tools that we have.” - White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre aboard Air Force One on Wednesday
Why is the USA seeing another surge when so many people are vaccinated?
If only more people were vaccinated. What makes the present situation enormously frustrating for public health professionals is that the enormous variation in vaccination rates and COVID precautions from community to community creates openings that the virus finds and exploits.
For example, 84% of the population and 91% of people eligible for vaccines in my county are fully vaccinated. But less than 100 miles away are counties with fewer than 70% fully vaccinated - and 26 of California’s 58 counties have vaccination rates under 60%. And that’s not counting boosters.
Even with this disparity across the state, California’s death rate is significantly lower than Florida or Texas, which took almost directly opposite approaches to COVID-19.
The decline of support for public health and the increasing anti-science movement gives the edge to COVID-19. At least 16 states have restricted the authority of public health departments during the pandemic, at least nine have enacted rules or laws that attempt to bar mask or vaccine mandates, and so many politicians have perpetuated false information about COVID-19 that there should be no wonder that the public is confused.
And when people are given conflicting information and are ill-equipped to judge which information is credible, human nature latches on to that which is easiest. This is one reason many people are taking off their masks and partying with their friends and saying, “nobody really knows what this virus is doing, and most people aren’t even getting sick.”
While it is true that the majority of cases are mild, we are seeing people with “Long COVID” symptoms months later — even if they never got seriously ill, and an astonishing 800,343 Americans have died of COVID-19. CDC forecasts predict the death toll will be higher than 837,000 by January 8.
How are you adjusting to our second pandemic holiday season?
Thanks for info!