U.S. to push for vaccines and boosters to stem ‘raging’ omicron variant, Fauci says
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Dr. Anthony Fauci meets with U.S. president Joe Biden and vice president Kamala Harris as part of the White House COVID-19 Team to discuss developments regarding the Omicron COVID-19 variant. The meeting took place in Washington, U.S.A. on December 9, 2021.
Reuters| Reuters
As the holiday season nears, the Omicron virus has been ravaging the globe. This makes it more important than ever to get booster shots and Covid-19 vaccines for travelers, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the chief White House medical advisor, said Sunday.
Omicron can be found in the results of testing 43 out of 50 U.S. states and around 90 countries so far after first being identified in southern Africa and Hong Kong in late November.
There are approximately 2,000 cases. doubling in 1.5 to 3 days in areas with community transmission and is spreading rapidly in countries with high levels of population immunity, the World Health Organization said on Saturday.
Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NBC’s “Meet the Press”), said, “It just is, you know. raging throughout the world.”
The virus’s impact is rapidly spreading throughout the United States. Hospitalizations are increasing, sporting games are being rescheduled, and entertainment venues have cancelled shows.
Both U.S. Covid-19 death and case numbers have increased approximately 50%, while the number of Covid-19 hospitalized patients has grown 26% since the beginning. according to a Reuters tally.
Joe Biden is President planned to give a speech on TuesdayHe spoke out about the rapidly-growing variant, and his plans to fight it.
Fauci, who spoke on CNN’s State of the Union program, said that part of Biden’s strategy is to concentrate on increasing testing.
He said, “We have to do better.” We need to test everything. There should be tests for everyone who needs them.
Fauci advised Americans traveling in the holiday season to use boosters, to wear masks, and to avoid crowds to slow down the spread Omicron.
Fauci told NBC’s Meet the Press that traveling can increase the chance of contracting infection, even for those who have been vaccinated.
Fauci stated, “We will see breakthrough infections – there’s no doubt about it.”
Fauci explained that the booster shot can greatly increase protection from severe Omicron infection-related illness.
He added that Delta’s dominant variant, Omicron, will most likely be overtaken by Omicron in the United States.
Disclosure: NBC and CNBC are owned by Comcast.
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