Omicron BA.2 Variant Sweeps the U.S.
Covid-19 was first reported in December 2019 in China. The disease was highly contagious and spread throughout the country, traversed borders, and within a short period, a large population across the globe had been infected. One of the most disturbing facts is that the covid-19 virus is a variant and keeps evolving, requiring new treatment and vaccines. As a result, covid-19 has continued to terrorize the global population, specifically in the United States. Recently, there have been various variants of the disease, including the Omicron and Delta variants. Currently, the Omicron variant has been on the map. It has resurfaced in the United States, especially in New York and Washington D.C, which have been mapped for the Omicron BA.2 variant.
According to a CNBC article by Spencer Kimball, covid outbreaks in New York and D.C. have infected senior officials. As reports suggest, the new Omicron BA.2 variant has resurfaced and continues to sweep the United States. The BA.2 variant now represents 86% of the sequenced new cases of covid-19, a higher number than has completely overshadowed the tally of the previous omicron variant that presented the unprecedented winter surge. According to the CDC, more than 300,000 new infections have been reported this week, which is a 20% increase compared to the previous week. The new infections in New York and D.C. have resulted in the infection of senior government officials, with many officials testing positive for the BA.2 variant. However, according to reports from Dr. Anthony Fauci, who is the White House chief medical advisor, he does not expect the United States to see a significant increase in hospitalization and deaths resulting from infections of the new Omicron BA.2 variant.
The BA.2 variant of covid-19 has continued to sweep across the country, with a high number of new cases being evidenced in the Northeast, where it is seen to have been driving a significant outbreak. As it currently stands, the new variant accounts for at least 92% of the new cases in the Northeast, with regions such as New Jersey and New York leading in new cases. For example, New York reported more than 1,887 new cases this week, representing a 52% increase over the past two weeks.
The new omicron variant BA.2 has hit the United States by a storm, but despite the high number of new cases from the Northeast, including New Jersey and New York, it is estimated that the fatality will not be high. Case management has been effective, and the current chief of medical advisor in the White House has stated that there is no need to panic.
References
Spencer Kimball, (2022). Covid outbreaks in New York and D.C. infect senior officials as omicron BA.2 variant sweeps the U.S.. Retrieved from: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/04/13/covid-outbreaks-in-new-york-and-dc-infect-senior-officials-as-omicron-bapoint2-variant-sweeps-the-us.html
