US health officials said in a statement on Sunday that the Omicron variant of the Coronavirus may be less dangerous than the Delta variant despite its rapid spread across the globe.
Chief advisor to the White House Anthony Fauci explained that more information is needed in order to determine the severity of the variant but early reports confirm that hospitalizations have not dramatically increased in South Africa- where Omicron first surfaced.
“Thus far, it does not look like there’s a great degree of severity to it,” he said. “But we have really got to be careful before we make any determinations that it is less severe or it really doesn’t cause any severe illness, comparable to delta.”
So far, Omicron cases have been reported in over 23 countries and at least a third of US states.
Fauci urged Americans to get vaccinated and not let their guard down despite these reports, in order to prevent or curb an uncontrollable outbreak as seen with the more dominant variant- Delta.
The United States Coronavirus infection rate is still at a staggering high of 86,000 infections per day and that number is expected to rise with the impending holiday celebrations.
Meanwhile, COVID-19 booster shots have commenced today in Antigua and Barbuda for specific groups to include Healthcare Providers such as Doctors, Nurses, Radiologists, Pharmacist and Emergency Medical Technicians.
Additionally, immuno-compromised individuals such as cancer patients, renal dialysis and transplant patients, persons living with HIV/AIDS and persons receiving immune-suppressive therapy can also receive their COVID-19 booster shots to help them build stronger immune responses should they become ill with the virus.
Individuals must have received their second dose of a two-dose vaccine or a single dose of a one-dose vaccine at least six (6) months ago in order to be eligible.
The additional doses will be administered at the Multipurpose Cultural and Exhibition Centre, the Villa Polyclinic and Sir Lester Bird Medical Center from Mondays to Fridays from 9am to 5pm.
