Barbara Goldberg, Joseph Axe and Barbara Goldberg

(Reuters) – Two years after the outbreak of coronavirus, America is now facing another winter. The red-hot Omicron variant threatens to inflame an already deadly surge of cases.

According to Reuters, hospitalizations due to COVID-19 rose by 45% in the past month. Cases have increased by 40%, to a daily average of 123,000 infections per day.

Pfizer Inc (NYSE:), one the main vaccine producers, forecast Friday that the pandemic would continue until 2024. The vaccine maker said that its lower-dose vaccine for children aged 2-4 generated a weaker immune response than anticipated, which could hinder authorization.

Early studies have shown that the Omicron virus variant is more transmitible than other iterations and has a greater ability to evade immune defenses.

It is expected to be the most prevalent variant, according to public health officials. This follows fast-moving spreads from countries like South Africa and the United Kingdom.

“GET BOOSTED NOW. “Tidal wave Omicron is likely to come to a hospital close you soon,” Dr. Tom Frieden (ex-chief of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) posted via Twitter (NYSE:

The preliminary South African data suggests that Omicron may cause milder symptoms than the Delta variant. However, this is still the driving force behind much of the current wave. A British study published Friday showed no differences in the severity of both variants.

Omicron is a highly infectious organism that could lead to many more deaths. Dr. Anthony Fauci (the top U.S. infectious diseases expert) said Friday.

The number of hospitalizations will increase if there are more people infected. Fauci explained to CNBC that it was simple mathematics.

Fauci said that officials were discussing the possibility of defining what “fully vaccinated”, to include booster shots. Boosters, according to preliminary studies, significantly increase protection against Omicron-related severe illnesses. On Thursday, President Joe Biden said that Americans who are not vaccinated will face serious illness and even death in the months ahead.

Although widespread lockdowns are not in place, this latest storm is disrupting daily life. Numerous states are reporting alarmingly high levels of hospitalizations, cases, and other issues.

Exhausted hospital workers in Ohio who are in their 22nd month of pandemic response will be getting some help starting on Monday from 1,050 National Guard troops – including 150 nurses, emergency medical technicians and others with medical training – being deployed to hospitals around the state, Governor Mike DeWine told a news conference on Friday.

Radio City Music Hall, New York City’s radio station announced on Friday that four Rockettes performances of their iconic Christmas show would be cancelled because there were “breakthrough COVID-19 instances in the production.” Broadway performances were also cancelled this week due to outbreaks among cast members who had not been vaccinated.

National Basketball Association, National Hockey League and National Hockey League have both postponed this week’s games. The NBA and National Football League also imposed COVID-19 stricter restrictions following dozens positive tests.

On Friday, the CDC announced a “test-to stay” strategy that allowed unvaccinated students to continue school even if they were exposed to the virus.

This protocol will replace the automatic quarantines that have forced thousands of students from school this fall.

“If children who have been exposed meet a set of criteria, and test negative for any other disease, then they may be allowed to stay at school.” Dr. Rochelle Wilensky, CDC Director, told reporters.

Professor of public health at George Washington University Dr. Leana Wen praised Friday’s test-to stay school policy changes, but warned that it would be difficult to implement due to the persistent shortage of testing.

CNN’s She said that she was unsure how they would implement the test-to-stay, as there isn’t enough testing available for those who have symptoms.