The news of the Omicron variant emerging in several countries may cause many people anxiety about the unknown.
The news comes on top of pandemic fatigue, as cases, hospitalizations and deaths continue, and as we continue to deal with nearly two year’s worth of disruptions to our daily lives.
It may be helpful to know that viruses mutate or change constantly. The virus SARS-CoV-2 is no exception. Several variants of SARS-CoV-2 have emerged since the beginning of the pandemic, but you’ve probably only heard about a few, such as Alpha, Delta, and now Omicron.
Very little is known about Omicron today, but scientists from around the world are actively studying whether it is more contagious than Delta, causes more severe disease, can evade the protection our COVID-19 vaccines provide and how it responds to current treatments. We will know more in the coming weeks.
And while it may feel like we are back at square one, we are not. We now have highly effective tools to protect ourselves and our loved ones from infection.
And while it may feel like we are back at square one, we are not. We now have highly effective tools to protect ourselves and our loved ones from infection.
Read or watch a statement from Dean E. Sidelinger, M.D., M.S.Ed., state health officer and state epidemiologist on the Omicron variant.
Courtesy of OHA
