U.S. Health Officials say Omicron Appears Less Dangerous than Delta Variant

U.S. health officials suggest Sunday that while the Omicron variant of  coronavirus is spreading rapidly across the country, early signs suggest it may be less dangerous than Delta, which continues to increase hospitalizations. President Joe Biden's Chief Press Advisor, Ph.D. Anthony Fauci told CNN's Union state that scientists need more information before they can conclude on the severity of Omicron. Reports from South Africa, where it has emerged and is becoming the dominant stress, suggest that hospitalization rates have not increased surprisingly. Fauci said the Biden administration is considering lifting a travel ban for non-citizens entering the United States from several African countries (which was imposed when an Omicron exploded in the area). UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres enforced measures such as travel apartheid. 

However, Delta is still the predominant variant, accounting for more than 99% of cases, leading to increased hospitalizations in the north. A National Guard team has been deployed to support the vast hospitals of western New York, and Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker to reduce non-urgent planned procedures to all hospitals with limited patient capacity. U.S. authorities continue to urge people to  take precautions such as vaccination and booster shots, and wearing masks when  strangers are indoors, as it protects from the Delta.

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention follow-up data reports more than 6,600 new hospitalizations occur daily. Additionally, the 4COVID 19 cases and deaths in the United States have fallen by about half from the August and September delta peaks, but there are over 860 new infections per day, especially when people travel.