The Covid-19 variant Omicron has spiked case numbers around the world. From December 1st, when the first confirmed case of Omicron was recorded, to now, the cases have grown. In the past two weeks, it has rapidly continued to increase. There is very little information about it and the spread rate is unclear. It is unknown if it spreads easily or if the current Covid-19 Vaccines work as well against Omicron. According to the CDC, they still highly recommend people to get their vaccine or the booster. They are expected to help protect against. Scientists strive to find out more about Omicron to ensure safety throughout the world.

Scientists have noticed that people who have not been vaccinated have been impacted more than those who have been vaccinated. The vaccine has shown to protect those who got Omicron. The transmission has effected people who were not vaccinated the most. Unvaccinated are more vulnerable. People who have been vaccinated can still get it and transmit it. However, it appears that the vaccinated spread the virus for a shorter period than unvaccinated. Research suggests that a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine will improve the protection against severe diseases caused by omicron.

How did Omicron become a variant? Viruses replicate to spread as easily as possible. When a virus replicates, they reproduce their RNA. It’s really similar to how human cells work. Our cells replicate when fighting a illness. As the virus replicates, they mutate. These mutations are called Variants. A variant is a copy of the original virus. The variant just has one or two new mutations. Every so often, a variant is successful and transmits the virus from person to person or cause more severe symptoms. Since the Delta variant was successful and it was a rapid spread of Covid-19, Omicron was created. Due to the rapid spread of Delta, the replications were able to create another variant a year later. Omicron has taken over and will work to continue spreading Covid-19.

Omicron symptoms are not that much different from the original Covid-19 symptoms. Omicron’s symptoms include a runny nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing, sore throat, persistent cough, hoarse voice, chills and/or shivers, fever, dizziness, brain fog, muscle pains, loss of smell and chest pain. If sick with any of these symptoms, stay home, get plenty of sleep, hydrate and take over-the-counter medicine to help ease the symptoms. If the symptoms get any worse, it is recommended to go to a doctor.

After the large spike of cases, Omicron cases began to decrease in New York and other parts of the Northeast in the United States. They are still relatively high across the United States. These cases currently average around nearly 802,000 per day. There has been an increase of 98% over these past two weeks. People hospitalized with the virus average around 156,000 people. The deaths now exceed 1,900 per day (57% increase since the beginning). Dr. Fauci states, during the online World Economic Forum, the sheer volume could have a meaningful effect on collective immunity. Katriona Shea of Pennsylvania State University, told reporters it is believed that in early February the weekly deaths could equal or exceed the Delta peak and possible the previous U.S peak in deaths from last year.

Even though it may worry you and many around the world, there is always hope it will be less severe. It might be too soon to tell but with the progress in vaccines and knowledge of Covid-19 and it’s variants we will see some positive change. A study which was posted and cited from a recent White House briefing, found that patients with Omicron had a 53% lower risk of hospitalizations with respiratory symptoms, 74% lower risk of ICU admission, and 91% lower risk of death. It was shown that some patients that had Omicron already had the Delta Variant. Some experts say the Delta variant increased the severity of the symptoms. At the online World Economic Forum, Dr. Fauci says that the world is still in the first of what he considers to be the five phases of the Pandemic. The first phase is titled the “Truly Pandemic Phase.” Once countries reach the “control” phase, whenever the virus becomes a “non-disruptive presence,” then the virus will be considered endemic.

Newly inaugurated Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin lifted the school mask mandate. Even with the rise in Omicron cases, he has signed off on allowing schools to no longer require students and staff to wear masks. Schools throughout Virginia will still be able to keep mask recommendations in place but parents can decide to not follow them. Governor Youngkin believes that parents should decide what’s best for their child.

As Omicron spreads, each one of us must decide what we think is safe. Vaccines are still recommended. Masks are slowly becoming an option and not a need. Scientists will continue to learn about Omicron. Just remember to stay as safe as possible!