Categories: Health

Why top US expert is optimistic amid surge in Omicron cases

<p>
The US is experiencing a “really unprecedented” surge in Covid cases amid the highly transmissible Omicron wave, but the peak may be only weeks away, top US infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci said on Sunday.</p>
<p>
"We are definitely in the middle of a very severe surge and uptick in cases," Fauci said on ABC's "This Week" news programme.</p>
<p>
Fauci said the experience of South Africa offered some hope as the Omicron strain was first detected there in late November and peaked quickly and then subsided almost as quickly.</p>
<p>
Evidence is mounting that Omicron is milder than previous variants. The US rates of deaths and hospitalizations have been far lower in recent weeks than during previous Covid surges, he added.</p>
<p>
"It looks, in fact, that Omicron might be less severe, at least from data that we've gathered from South Africa, from the UK and even some from preliminary data from here in the United States," Fauci said in another interview to the CNN news channel on Sunday. </p>
<p>
However, Fauci said there was still a danger of a surge in hospitalization due to a large number of coronavirus cases even as early data suggests the Omicron COVID-19 variant is less severe.</p>
<p>
"The only difficulty is that if you have so many cases, even if the rate of hospitalization is lower with Omicron than it is with Delta, there is still the danger that you will have a surging of hospitalizations that might stress the healthcare system," Fauci said.</p>
<p>
U.S. authorities registered at least 346,869 new coronavirus on Saturday, according to a Reuters tally. The U.S. death toll from COVID-19 rose by at least 377 to 828,562.</p>
<p>
<strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/health-news/india-s-omicron-count-rises-to-maharashtra-delhi-worst-hit-139103.html">India’s Omicron count rises to 1,270, Maharashtra & Delhi worst-hit</a></strong></p>

IN Bureau

Recent Posts

Government extends closure of 28 Airports until May 15 amid tensions

After Pakistan attempted to attack multiple cities in Northern India using drones, the Ministry of…

2 hours ago

Kartarpur Sahib Corridor services suspended indefinitely, says Foreign Secy Vikram Misri

Amid the escalation of tensions with Pakistan and indiscriminate firing from the neighbouring country across…

3 hours ago

Pakistan violated airspace, used Turkish-made Asisguard Songar models: Colonel Sofiya Qureshi

In a major escalation along India's western front, the Pakistani army carried out multiple airspace…

4 hours ago

New Zealand initiates trade negotiations with India

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has highlighted India's importance to Wellington's prosperity, security, and…

4 hours ago

Bangladesh’s interim government considering banning Awami League

Bangladesh's interim government, headed by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, is seriously considering banning Sheikh Hasina's…

4 hours ago

BCCI decides to suspend the remainder of IPL 2025 for a week

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to suspend the remainder…

6 hours ago