By Ahmed Aboulenein and Alexandra Alper

WASHINGTON (Reuters] Despite an increase in the number of cases, U.S. COVID-19-related deaths and hospitalizations have been relatively low since Wednesday’s announcement by Rochelle Walensky, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director.

According to her, the seven-day average number of daily cases has increased 60% to approximately 240,000.00 per day. Walensky stated that the average daily rate of hospitalization for this same time is 14% higher at about 9,000 per days and that deaths have fallen about 7% to 1,100 per day.

Omicron circulation has increased rapidly in the last few weeks. We expect it to continue to increase over the next weeks. She said that although cases have increased significantly from last week’s, the number of hospitalizations or deaths is still relatively low.

Early U.S. data suggests Omicron will have a lower hospitalization-to-case ratio than the Delta variant, top U.S. infectious disease Anthony Fauci said at the briefing, but COVID-19 vaccine boosters will be critical in tackling it.

He stated that all indications pointed to Omicron being less severe than Delta. “Boosters will be critical to ensure that our Omicron strategy is optimal.”

Fauci stated that it is possible that a second booster shot may be required, however, it was impossible to determine without first measuring the longevity of protection provided by the initial booster. There are currently no data.

“Before we start talking about a fourth shot, it will be very important for us to determine the durability of protection, particularly against severe disease for the third shot booster of an mRNA and the second shot of a J&J (NYSE:),” he said.

We don’t currently have this information. Although it is possible that an extra shot might be needed in the future, we believe that this booster shot will provide greater protection and durability.

According to White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Jeff Zients, the government is expecting a contract to purchase 500 million antigen testing kits, as promised by President Joe Biden to address the spike in cases. This will be completed late next week.

He said that HHS and the Department of Defense are working together to execute (this) in a very short timeframe.