Since Feb 6, 2020, when the first death of an American was officially recognized as having been caused by COVID-19, we've averaged about 1,200 Dead Americans every day.
That's 1 Dead American
every 72 seconds
for 2 years
WaPo:
Here are four charts that analyze how Omicron’s wave compares with past coronavirus peaks.
Reported cases per day are more than double that of Jan21 peak
Cases are higher, but deaths and hospitalizations are
fewer compared with previous peaks
South Africa’s omicron cases reached a new record,
but death and in-patient numbers remained relatively low
London’s cases pass peak with deaths staying low
If the rest of Britain follows London, there may be a stronger case for omicron’s lessened severity elsewhere in the world as well.
“Data from South Africa is critical. Data from South Africa, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and New York paint a more complete picture,” said an official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment on the record.
Rapid tests are crucial despite reduced sensitivity to omicron, experts say
At-home rapid coronavirus tests remain the “bedrock of our long-term strategy for managing this virus,” said Ashish Jha, dean of the Brown University School of Public Health — even in the face of new research that suggests they may be less effective at identifying illness caused by the omicron variant.
The antigen tests, commonly referred to as rapid or at-home tests, “remain a very, very effective tool,” Jha said on ABC’s “This Week.” He noted that “in the first day of symptoms” with omicron, “it does look like the test is a little less sensitive,” but beyond that, “these antigen tests continue to work really effectively.”
Jha’s comments echo those from Bruce J. Tromberg, director of the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering at the National Institutes of Health. Tromberg has said people should still use the tests regularly. “Even with reduced performance, it will still pick up infections, and it will help individuals [isolate and] get treatment sooner,” Tromberg previously told The Post.
President Biden has promised to distribute 500 million rapid tests to the American public, and the kits should start shipping to households in the coming days.
Here’s what to know
At-home rapid coronavirus tests remain the “bedrock of our long-term strategy for managing this virus,” said Ashish Jha, dean of the Brown University School of Public Health — even in the face of new research that suggests they may be less effective at identifying illness caused by the omicron variant.
The antigen tests, commonly referred to as rapid or at-home tests, “remain a very, very effective tool,” Jha said on ABC’s “This Week.” He noted that “in the first day of symptoms” with omicron, “it does look like the test is a little less sensitive,” but beyond that, “these antigen tests continue to work really effectively.”
Jha’s comments echo those from Bruce J. Tromberg, director of the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering at the National Institutes of Health. Tromberg has said people should still use the tests regularly. “Even with reduced performance, it will still pick up infections, and it will help individuals [isolate and] get treatment sooner,” Tromberg previously told The Post.
President Biden has promised to distribute 500 million rapid tests to the American public, and the kits should start shipping to households in the coming days.
Here’s what to know
- The federal government is sending states three monoclonal antibody treatments authorized for early-stage covid-19, though two may be ineffective against omicron.
- Biden’s federal vaccine mandate for businesses with more than 100 employees was scheduled to go into effect Monday. But it is mired in legal challenges, and the Supreme Court held a special hearing on the cases last week.
- According to new estimates, up to 1.6 million Americans have chronic problems with their sense of smell because of covid-19. Seniors are especially vulnerable, experts say.
Inching perilously close to having ⅔ of all Americans fully vaxxed
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