COVID-19 Update

WaPo: (freebie)

Omicron appears to be less severe, Fauci says, but transmissibility could cause strain

While preliminary data suggests omicron may be less severe than earlier variants of the coronavirus, its increased transmissibility means Americans should not let down their guards, the nation’s top infectious-disease expert said Wednesday.

With the highly transmissible variant fueling a surge in cases, the sheer volume of cases could stress the nation’s health-care system, Anthony S. Fauci said during a White House covid-19 task force briefing. He noted that a certain proportion of cases will be severe, and as a result, vaccinations, masking, testing and other precautions should still be followed.

“We should not be complacent,” Fauci said.

Here’s what to know

• The United States and other countries could soon be facing a “twindemic” season, experts warn, as flu cases rise alongside the highly contagious omicron variant that has already overwhelmed hospitals.
• Antiviral pills, which are needed to alleviate strain on hospitals confronting climbing admissions and staffing shortages, remain in scant supply, doctors say.
• The latest surge of coronavirus cases could peak as soon as this month, according to infectious-disease experts. South Africa has already passed its peak, and early evidence suggests that London may be past the worst of it, too.