Study: Omicron Replicates 70 Times Faster Than Delta (Hong Kong) — A new study says the Omicron COVID-19 variant replicates 70 times faster than the Delta variant. That’s according to the University of Hong Kong’s Faculty of Medicine who also said infection in the lungs appears to be less severe when dealing with Omicron. Researchers said Omicron can cause more severe disease and death just by spreading much faster than previous variants even though lung infection appears not as bad. This comes soon after the World Health Organization said Omicron is spreading faster than any other previous variant.
Dr. Fauci Warns Of Continued Omicron Spread (Washington, DC) — The nation’s top infectious disease expert is warning about the continued spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant. Speaking to a U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation audience, Dr. Anthony Fauci said that strain will soon become the dominant one in the U.S. He called it “the most transmissible virus of COVID” the nation has seen so far. He warned that those who aren’t vaccinated face the worst outcomes as Omicron spreads.
From Thursday:
CDC Vaccine Advisers Looking At J&J Vaccine Today
(Atlanta, GA) — CDC vaccine advisers will once again take a look at Johnson & Johnson’s coronavirus vaccine today. The meeting comes as there have been health concerns associated with the single-dose vaccine. Advisers will take a look at a blood clotting condition that’s been linked with the shot. Folks 18 and older are currently able to roll up their sleeves and get the vaccine. It’s also available as a booster shot.
