Reopening Concerns Arise Due To Omicron Subvariant
Both Axios and the Wall Street Journal report that highly-infectious omicron, and its new subvariant BA.2, are spurring worries as reopening plans begin to take effect. Meanwhile AP reports on expert warnings that a mass omicron infection is not the same as reaching herd immunity.
The Wall Street Journal:
Fast-Spreading Covid-19 Omicron Type Revives Questions About Opening Up
Health authorities are examining whether the subvariant of Omicron, known as BA.2, could extend the length of Covid-19 waves that have peaked recently in Europe, Japan and some other places. “We’re looking not only at how quickly those peaks go up, but how they come down,” World Health Organization epidemiologist Maria Van Kerkhove said. “And as the decline in cases occurs…we also need to look at: Is there a slowing of that decline? Or will we start to see an increase again?” (Landers and Inada, 2/23)
Axios:
Omicron Subvariant Sparks Reopening Jitters
The fear of new COVID variants is adding a sense of trepidation to America's latest great reopening. While cases and hospitalizations are plummeting worldwide after massive Omicron-fueled surges, the spread of an even more transmissible Omicron subvariant is making some experts nervous as states lift mask mandates and other restrictions. "The bottom line is we're relatively optimistic that things will continue to improve through the spring and the summer under Omicron," Matt Craven, a partner at McKinsey who specializes in public health and infectious disease, said Wednesday during a U.S. Chamber of Commerce event. But this new subvariant "serves as that reminder we very well may not be done here and there may be others coming," he said. (Reed, 2/24)
AP:
Millions Of People With Omicron Is Not Same As Herd Immunity
Is Omicron leading us closer to herd immunity against COVID-19? While the highly transmissible coronavirus variant has spread quickly and infected — if not necessarily sickened — millions of people, including the fully vaccinated, experts say it’s not likely that Omicron, or any other strain, will lead to herd immunity. “Herd immunity is an elusive concept and doesn’t apply to coronavirus,” says Dr. Don Milton at the University of Maryland School of Public Health. (Milko, 2/23)
On scientific findings about the omicron subvariant —
CNN:
New Studies Bring BA.2 Variant Into Sharper Focus
On the heels of concerning new lab and animal experiments suggesting that BA.2 may be capable of causing more severe disease than the original Omicron strain, two new studies are helping to show how well human immunity is defending against this strain in the real world. BA.2 is about 30% more transmissible than the original Omicron variant, BA.1, according to early studies from the UK and Denmark, and it is now causing about 1 in 5 Covid-19 cases worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. Even as Covid-19 cases have been dropping around the world, the relative proportion of cases caused by BA.2 has been increasing. It is outcompeting the original Omicron strain in at least 43 countries, prompting fears of another devastating pandemic wave. (Goodman, 2/23)
Also —
Politico:
The Pentagon Is Working On An Algorithm To Detect Covid Early
What if a fitness tracker could predict that the wearer was Covid-positive hours or even days before they start noticing symptoms? To answer the question, the Pentagon has spent the past two years experimenting with “predictive bio-wearables” technology — in this case, a wristwatch and a ring on the user’s finger. The idea is to wear the combo daily just like a fitness tracker, and once users notice a change, they get tested for Covid-19. (Hudson, 2/23)
KHN:
Watch: Seniors Share How They’ve Made It Through The Pandemic
Too often the voices of older people are not heard. Judith Graham, KHN’s Navigating Aging columnist, invited nine seniors from across the country to talk candidly about their highs and lows as they enter Year 3 of the pandemic, with lives reordered by risk and restriction. How have people handled persistent stress? How have their lives changed? What are their most significant challenges? What needs are not being met? What sources of strength and comfort help sustain them? What are their hopes for the year ahead?Graham moderated a live event on Feb. 23, hosted by KHN and The John A. Hartford Foundation. (2/24)
