Omicron Variant Exploding Across the Country and In New Jersey

Photo Credit: Getty Images                                                                                                                                                                                                                       The numbers are not good according to the Centers For Disease Control.  The Omicron variant has officially overtaken the Delta COVID variant in the United States.  The numbers are surging nationwide and right here in New Jersey.

Omicron has overtaken the Delta variant and is now the leading coronavirus strain, with health officials at the CDC saying it accounts for 73 percent of all new COVID cases nationwide.  Health experts are now fearful that, with the holidays upon us this week and people gathering with their families and friends to celebrate, the number of positive COVID cases will spike to levels seen early in the pandemic in the spring of 2020.

In the time since the Omicron variant was first detected on the other side of the globe, health officials say it now represents approximately 92 percent of all new cases in the New York – New Jersey metropolitan area.  The CDC is reporting that Omicron cases have increased six-fold in the United States.

CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky told reporters “only about 28 percent of Americans have gotten their COVID-19 booster shots,” which health officials keep saying is the best defense against the omicron variant.  Many people still are hesitant to get vaccinated and then get the booster shot.  Only about 28 percent of Americans have gotten their COVID-19 booster shots.

While this remains a personal choice, we are beginning to see once again requirements by businesses, restaurants and sporting venues of proof of vaccination.  The question that comes to mind is, how soon will a lack of being vaccinated prevent people from admission to certain businesses or sporting events?

What do you think?  Send us your comments.