SW Iowa Times

The omicron variant of COVID-19 has swept the country and the globe, and while vaccines are reportedly effective at preventing extreme sickness or death, the numbers continue to rise at an alarming rate.

There were 480,000 cases in a single day, Dec. 29, in the United States, according to NPR. This is more than double the number of cases reported during the delta variant peak. However, the report said that while cases have gone up, hospitalizations have increased by only 12%. Here & Now host Sarah McCammon said that while there is no doubt that the omicron surge is worrisome, public health officials are saying things might not be as bad as previous surges.

“The risk of hospitalization admission alone with omicron was 40% of that for delta,” Dr. Anthony Fauci said, as reported by NPR.

NPR’s program said that it the omicron variant might be less severe, but it is still infecting a large number of vaccinated people. 

KCCI reported that, as of Dec. 27, 4,556,310 COVID-19 vaccine doses were administered in Iowa. It said that as of the same date 81.6% of people hospitalized with coronavirus were unvaccinated. It went down slightly by Jan. 3, to 79.9%.

Iowa Public Health tweeted data about the current levels of omicron, and said that vaccines are “highly effective” in preventing hospitalization, death and severe disease.

“By getting vaccinated, we also help preserve health care resources for other needs,” Iowa Public Health tweeted.

As of Jan. 3, the Iowa Department of Public Health reported, there were 768 COVID-19 patients in hospitals with 163 in the intensive care unit. This was up from 706 patients in the hospital on Dec. 27.