The top US epidemiological adviser says his country is seeing a “very sharp rise” in Covid cases with the outbreak of Omicron.
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Evidence is mounting that omicron is less powerful than previous mutant
Today, Sunday, the chief epidemiological advisor in the United States, Anthony Fauci, said that his country is witnessing a “very sharp rise” in cases of Covid, with the outbreak of the mutated Omicron, and it is likely that the peak of the wave will be achieved following only weeks.
“We are definitely in the midst of a very sharp rise in cases,” Fauci told ABC, describing the escalating infection rate as “unprecedented.”
The expert explained that the curve of injuries witnessed a “semi-vertical rise”.
With the spread of the mutant “Omicron” around the world, more than 440,000 new cases were recorded in the United States on Friday, an increase of nearly 200,000 injuries from the peak results recorded last February.
But Fauci said that the experience of South Africa gives some hope, as the epidemic wave receded there almost as quickly as it spread.
He added that evidence is mounting that omicron is less robust than previous mutant. The death and hospitalization rates in the United States are much lower in recent weeks than during other waves of Covid.
The United States, like other countries, is trying to find a balance that protects public health without harming the economy and key services such as police and air travel.
As children prepare to return to school Monday following the end-of-year holiday, Fauci and US Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said they believe in attendance will continue safely if appropriate precautions are taken.
Fauci once more appealed to parents to vaccinate their children, wear masks, and carry out examinations if necessary.
“I think with all these measures taken together, it is safe enough to get children back to school, compared to the negative effects of keeping them out,” the infectious disease expert said. Meanwhile, Minister Cardona said returning to school would be difficult but necessary.
For his part, Eric Adams, who was sworn in as mayor of New York, said there was no choice but to return the children to school safely.
“We’ve lost regarding two years of education… We can’t do that once more… The safest place for children is school,” he told ABC.
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