The latest Covid variant Omicron has now officially become the most dominant strain in the U.S.
Omicron has surged past other variants, now accounting for 73 percent of all new infections recorded last week. National data has documented more than 650,000 infections last week alone. The data capture the infection rate and cases for the week ending December 18.
According to numbers by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were almost six times an increase in infections in just one week. The numbers vary across the country, but in some parts, the rates are even higher. In the New York City area, Midwest, Southeast, and Pacific Northwest, the strain is responsible for about 90 percent of all new infections.
The new rates prove just how rapidly Omicron has surged across the U.S. Only one week prior, it was detected in just 12.6 percent of Covid cases nationwide.
Omicron has now surpassed Delta as the dominant version. Since the end of June this summer, Delta was the main strain causing infections across America. Even a mere couple of weeks ago, at the end of November, Delta made up more than 99.5 percent of Covid cases.
Much remains unknown about Omicron, including whether it causes severe Covid infections that lead to hospitalization and deaths, and how its severity compares to other strains. Early research and data seem to suggest, however, that while the strain is more transmittable, and can easily evade vaccinations than other strains, those who get infected may be less likely to be hospitalized or die.
Comparatively, Delta is mostly infecting the unvaccinated and has proven to be both highly contagious and with the potential to be severe.
Booster shots are proving to help increase protection against Omicron. According to health officials, as well as preliminary data published by vaccine companies, a third shot, or booster shot, appears to offer substantial protection, especially against hospitalization and death.
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