The omicron Covid-19 virus has overtaken delta in the U.S. as the most prevalent strain, Dr. Rochelle Walensky from the CDC stated Wednesday.

According to data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the variant accounts for more than 73% in cases in the United States. U.S. officials stated last week that omicron was responsible for 2.9% of the cases through December 11, and later increased this number to 12.6%.

Walensky claimed that contagious and highly mutated strains are responsible for at least 90% of infections in parts of the east Atlantic, Midwest and South states.

She said that the rapid rise in omicron circulation around the country was similar to the global trend during the White House Covid-19 press conference.

This is a developing story. Stay tuned for new updates.