by Erin Guo
12/21/21
The Omicron variant is now the dominant strain of COVID-19 in the United States, making up around 73% of new cases as of last Friday, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In the Northeast and the highly populated New York City area, Omicron accounts for 90% or more new infections.
To mitigate rising case numbers, the CDC has recommended people to get vaccinated if they haven’t already, boosters to increase immunity, and the use of rapid at-home tests for early detection and prevention. However, in many parts of the country, these tests are still inaccessible because the demand has outpaced supply.
President Biden announced this Tuesday that the government would buy 500 million COVID-19 test kits and send them to people who want them for free.
Another concern is the shortage of healthcare workers. Many hospitals are reaching full capacity as beds fill up during the holiday season. Governors in several states have responded by deploying the National Guard to help the staff storage problem.
In places with surging cases, indoor mask mandates have been reinstated along with proof-of-vaccination requirements for indoor spaces. As for schools, Biden has stated that there will be no need for lockdowns since the CDC announced new guidelines to help schools stay open and safe.
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