Governments and citizens prepare for the most intense wave to come – the Omicron variant.
The COVID-19 Omicron variant is by far the most transmissible variant of the pandemic virus to date. The delta variant was very infectious, but Omicron is many more times infectious. The US CDC is planning for punishing wave of Omicron infections in January. Many countries and quickly implementing intense new travel and gathering restrictions.
Vaccines are believed to be effective against the Omicron variant.
The British Broadcasting Corporation news reports South Africa saw a shockingly fast spike in COVID-19 cases, going from almost zero to over 3,000 per day. Children may be more severely affected by the Omicron variant. The Pfizer vaccine appears to prevent 70% of hospital admissions after two doses, and over 90% after three doses. The United Kingdom is currently experiencing it’s highest infection rates ever, at over 9,000 infections per day (according to testing results). Cumbria, a rural county in north England is expecting 900 cases a day by Christmas Day.
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation news reports that an early research study in Hong Kong indicates Omicron multiplies 70 times faster in the lungs and airways, and is contagious from up to 32 feet (10 meters) away. Omicron’s incubation period appears to be from 1-14 days. Symptoms range from mild to severe, and how severe it may be is still unknown.
Businesses, sports teams, and countries are preparing to reduce or close operations.
Smokers and vapers are far more likely to become infected.
News outlets report over 97% of the US military has been vaccinated: Army 97%, Air Force 97.5%, Marine Corps 95%, Navy 98%. Service members refusing vaccination without a valid exception are being discharged.