It can be difficult to stay current with the coronavirus, especially with the highly mutated and fast-moving omicron variant. In the latest COVID-19 news, a new omicron subvariant, XBB.1.5, has become the predominant strain responsible for more than 50% of COVID-19 infections in the United States. In the week of December 24th, 2022, XBB accounted for 18.3% of the COVID-19 cases in the United States. That number increased from 11.2% in the previous week, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

By the very end of 2022, XBB accounted for over 40.5% of cases in the country. In the northeastern United States, three out of four cases are currently XBB.1.5. The interesting thing is that XBB subvariants were barely on the radar three to four months ago. At that time, the CDC stated that omicron subvariant BA.5 made up 80% of infections. After that, BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 took over. Now, BA.5 only accounts for 3.7% of cases. It’s a wildly unpredictable landscape, with XBB.1.5 multiplying at record speed. 

XBB.1.5 Appears To Be More Contagious Than Other Subvariants

XBB.1.5 is very, very contagious, according to the CDC. Infectious disease experts say that it is outcompeting other variants. This subvariant has already driven outbreaks in parts of Asia, including Singapore. The increased numbers in the northeastern United States, as we previously mentioned, may be an indicator of what will come in the rest of the country. As of December 30th, 2022, the New York Times COVID Tracker noted that New York and New Jersey saw some of the country’s highest per-capita case rates. 

Do Rising Hospitalizations In New York Foreshadow An Increase In COVID-19 Cases Across The U.S.?

Recent New York health figures suggest a steady rise in COVID-19 hospitalizations. A few southern states, including South Carolina and Kentucky, also experienced worsening conditions. Experts don’t know if XBB.1.5 is specifically driving hospitalizations, but the data doesn’t look favorable. It is a contributing factor at the very least, but more information is needed. 

When a new variant moves to a different geographic area, the risk of a mini outbreak in that area is high. That said, experts do not see the XBB subvariant driving the same massive surges as the original omicron variant did at the end of 2021. That’s great news!

Do Current COVID-19 Vaccines Protect Against XBB.1.5?

As stated when the original vaccine rolled out, they won’t keep you 100% protected from COVID-19 infection. As of now, experts believe that current vaccines will offer substantial protection against a mild or moderate infection developing into severe illness. Infectious disease experts say, from a vaccine point of view, that vaccinated individuals are still okay in that sense. XBB.1.5 is not yet a variant of concern, but it is of great interest because of the way it’s spreading. Current CDC data shows that only 15% of Americans are up to date on the most recent COVID-19 booster shot. 

Vaccination is obviously optional and you need to do what’s right for you. Don’t simply rely on vaccinations, though. Do your part to stay healthy by eating the right foods and getting a sufficient amount of weekly exercise. Various modalities can also help improve immune function and respiratory health, so explore those options in your efforts to stay safe and healthy.

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For more than two years, the world has seen the evolution of the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that causes COVID-19. From people on ventilators to asymptomatic carriers, COVID-19 affects everyone differently. We’ve also seen breakthrough cases among vaccinated individuals and reinfection among the unvaccinated and vaccinated. It continues to be an evolving situation, as do the top symptoms. 

The UK-based Zoe Health Study (formerly the COVID Symptom Study) recently identified the most common COVID-19 symptoms among current infections. This study based the findings on the information from more than four million people who used a special app to report signs of infection. The recent analysis found that infections from omicron sub-variants result in symptoms that mimic those of the common cold or flu. Symptoms may vary depending on vaccination status, underlying health conditions, and overall health. 

Coronavirus symptoms from earlier variants now rank lower on the list of the most common symptoms. Loss of smell (or other sensory changes from COVID-19), shortness of breath, and fever are less common among newer infections. And although vaccinated individuals can still contract COVID-19, the study found that the symptoms were much more mild among them, or that they experienced very few symptoms. Additionally, vaccinated individuals got better more quickly. 

Top COVID-19 Symptoms Among Those Who’ve Received Two Vaccine Doses

• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Blocked nose
• Persistent cough
• Headache

Researchers in the Zoe study found that vaccinated people who tested positive for COVID-19 reported sneezing. If you are vaccinated and start sneezing a lot without explanation, consider getting a COVID test as you may be infected. This will help reduce the risk of spreading the virus to those around you, some of whom may be in worse health than others. 

Top COVID-19 Symptoms Among Those Who’ve Had One Vaccine Dose

• Headache
• Runny nose
• Sore throat
• Sneezing
• Persistent cough

Zoe study editors observed that persistent cough was one of the original symptoms of COVID-19 infection. Among the most recent data, though, it ranks lower than sneezing and runny nose, two symptoms that were originally thought to be unrelated to COVID-19 infection.

Top COVID-19 Symptoms Among The Unvaccinated

• Headache
• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Fever
• Persistent cough

According to the Zoe study, loss of smell is still in the top 10 symptoms for unvaccinated individuals who contract COVID-19. It ranks at number nine, but shortness of breath (an original symptom) now ranks at number 30. 

Why Have The Top Symptoms Changed?

The data from the Zoe study is consistent with what many clinicians have observed in COVID-19 patients over the past few months. Why the shift in symptoms is not entirely clear, though. Infectious disease specialists think that the change in top symptoms is multifactorial. The virus has evolved over time in order to maximize transmission and higher levels of immunity in the population (attributed to vaccination and prior infection). 

Cough, Cold, Or Flu? It May Be COVID-19

We covered that symptoms of recent omicron infections tend to mimic those of the common cold or flu. Because of that, people who experience those symptoms may not think that they have COVID, especially since they weren’t common symptoms earlier in the pandemic. If you do experience those symptoms, especially if they are respiratory symptoms, it is wise to test to confirm infection. COVID-19 is still a relevant illness, despite the fact that nearly all restrictions have been lifted. Take care of your health, get a new bivalent COVID-19 booster this fall if you want to, and be safe during the upcoming holiday season. 

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Thinking of getting the new Omicron COVID-19 booster shot? Health experts say that you should expect similar side effects that resulted from previous COVID-19 shots. Some common side effects include headache, muscle pain, fatigue, skin redness, and pain at the injection site. The new booster may be more effective at preventing serious illness because it addresses the current circulating variants more precisely than previous shots. 

The good news is that possible side effects from the new vaccines won’t likely differ from those associated with previous boosters and vaccines. In August 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave emergency-use authorization to a pair of new booster shots. Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech developed the latest boosters, both of which aim to target the original COVID-19 strain and the newest Omicron (BA.4 and BA.5). 

Experts suggest that the immune system should be able to easily seek out the more specific spike protein in the new Omicron booster. This should help the immune system fight off serious infection from the current variants in circulation. Since the immune system should be able recognize the spike proteins in the booster, health workers hope that it may recognize new variants more easily.

New Side Effects Are Not Surprising

Clinical trials testing the BA.4 and BA.5-specific booster shots are ongoing. This is a fairly common process for vaccines that require a strain update, similar to the annual flu shot. Instead, experts rely on data from the first round of booster shots and from a similar bivalent COVID-19 vaccine, the one that targeted BA.1. The new Omicron variants only slightly differ from the original BA.1 subvariant. 

When experts looked at the side effects of boosters in current trials, there were no surprises. The current list of side effects is nearly identical to all of the side effects from the regular booster. Additionally, the side effects from the new booster are contingent with those of the initial vaccine. This is most likely because the vaccine ingredients are essentially the same. The only change is which proteins on the surface of the protein it encodes for. This is to help optimize immune response against current and future variants. 

Pfizer Booster Side Effects

Pain at the injection site seems to be the most common complaint from people who received Pfizer’s updated booster. About 60% of trial participants reported pain at the injection site, in addition to fatigue, headache, joint pain, muscle pain, fever, and nausea. Researchers observed all of those symptoms with Pfizer’s original COVID-19 booster shot as well. In the current trials for Pfizer’s bivalent booster, no adverse effects were reported. Experts will continue to keep an eye on the rare risk of myocarditis in both Pfizer and Moderna booster recipients. Myocarditis is a condition that involves inflammation of the heart muscle, and it has occurred mostly in teens and younger adults. 

Moderna Booster Side Effects

Similar to Pfizer booster recipients, those who received the Moderna bivalent Omicron booster reported pain at the injection site. In the trials, though, about 80% reported injection site pain, which is higher than the Pfizer trial participants. Fatigue, joint pain, muscle pain, nausea, chills, and fever were also common symptoms. The five most common side effects that people reported after a dose of Moderna’s original COVID-19 booster were injection site pain, headache, muscle pain, fatigue, and joint pain. 

Currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends these two boosters if you choose to get them. Johnson & Johnson’s (J&J) booster hasn’t been retooled to target Omicron. Additionally, health experts don’t advise the J&J vaccine because of the rare but serious complication involving a blood clotting disorder. Not everyone experiences side effects after a COVID-19 vaccine or booster, though. For the people who do, the side effects are typically mild and go away after a day or two. If the symptoms linger, call your doctor to inquire about how to alleviate them.

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Americans are out and about this summer, with many taking their very first vacations since the beginning of the pandemic. For most places around the country, Los Angeles County included, there are few signs of COVID-19 precautions. Some people continue to wear face coverings indoors, but this isn’t always the case. In fact, LA County continues to experience daily COVID-19 positivity numbers of about 3,700-6,500, depending on the day. 

From June 13, 2022 to June 19, 2022, unvaccinated people were 5.3 times more likely to contract COVID-19 than people who received a booster dose. The new increase in cases and hospitalizations have been fueled by the omicron BA.5 sub-variant, which is very contagious. The BA.5 sub-variant is the fastest-spreading form of omicron so far. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is responsible for more than 50% of all new COVID-19 cases in the country. Additionally, researchers say that this sub-variant is three to four times more resistant to antibiotics. 

When Could Indoor Masking Happen?

The decision to reinstate the indoor mask mandate will depend on future daily case rates and hospitalization rates. If the number of case and hospitalization rates remains high enough for two weeks, LA County may require indoor masking by July 29, 2022. Fortunately, LA County is not in that high COVID-19 community ever yet. This category indicates that an area is experiencing high COVID-19 spreading, with the transmission straining hospitals. 

The CDC updates community assessments every Thursday. If LA County enters a high COVID-19 community level on July 14th, for example, it has to remain in that tier until July 28th, 2022, for authorities to issue an indoor masking order. This information comes from Barbara Ferrer, LA County’s Public Health Director. She did say, however, that there is no guarantee that the masking order will take effect. 

How Close Is Los Angeles To The Indoor Mask Policy?

There has to be 10 new weekly coronavirus-positive hospitalizations for every 100,000 residents for health officials to reinstate the indoor masking order. As of July 7, 2022, that number was 9.7, a 17% increase from the previous week’s rate of 8.3. From the county’s perspective, though, the actual figure is about 8.4, because that combined federal data from LA and Orange counties. LA County and Orange County numbers have been relatively similar, but Orange County’s new weekly coronavirus-positive hospitalizations for every 100,000 residents was 13.3 as of July 6th, 2022. 

Why Is LA Considering A Mask Mandate Again?

LA County health officials say that the order would align with guidance from the CDC. According to the CDC, indoor masking should be enforced in counties that have high COVID-19 community level. Roughly 60% of California’s counties remain in that category, including the Central Valley and San Francisco Bay areas. About 16 million Californians currently live in a county with a high COVID-19 community level. That number accounts for about 41% of the state’s population. 

In Southern California, Ventura County remains the only county with a high community level. Despite the high community levels in other counties in California, LA County seems to be the only county that has responded to the CDC framework. It will reinstate an indoor mask mandate if the numbers continue to climb. 

Even though health officials recommend wearing a mask indoors as a preventative measure, some officials don’t think it is necessary at this time. The reason for this logic is because epidemiological changes in the virus have taken place. Plus, treatments and vaccines are readily available. Ultimately, health officials want to do their best to avoid the effects of another pandemic wave in LA County. Wear a mask indoors if you can to help reduce the spread of the new contagious BA.5 sub-variant and the mask mandate may not go into effect.

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The majority of American adults (57%) say that airlines and public transportation services should require travelers to wear masks. This comes from a new Pew Research Center survey, where a separate 42% of Americans think that travelers should not have to wear masks in these situations. 

If you recall, a federal judge in Florida struck down the CDC’s mask mandate for public transportation in April 2022. The Department of Justice is in the process of appealing this disease. Since the decision by that federal judge, the CDC has continued to recommend people to wear masks in these settings, in addition to other settings. In the meantime, airlines and other businesses can make their own rules, but most say that masks are optional. 

The Face Mask Divide

Since the March 2020 lockdown, there has been a divide on mask wearing. For many Americans, the support of face masks depended on the political party to which they belonged. Others didn’t let politics sway their decision, but rather thought the entire pandemic to be a hoax. According to the recent Pew Research Center survey, 80% of Democrats and independents who lean Democratic were in favor of masks on public transportation and airplanes. A contrasting 29% of Republicans and independents who lean Republican say that masks should not be required. 

Additional information from the survey found that most people who supported mask wearing received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine (66%). The unvaccinated (25%) in the survey were against future masking mandates. Even among the unvaccinated, though, there are different views on masking policies. About 60% of unvaccinated Democrats think that people should still wear masks on airplanes and public transportation. Compare that to the 12% of unvaccinated republicans who do not support mask wearing. People who were, or are still, concerned about contracting COVID-19 were also in favor of mask policies. The same opinion applied to those who were scared of being hospitalized from COVID-19.

Do Americans Still Wear Masks On Planes?

During the omicron surge in January 2022, about 61% of American adults said that they still wore masks in stores and businesses. The numbers have since declined for mask wearing in the U.S., though. About 30% of Americans say that they wore a mask “all or most of the time” over the past month in stores and other businesses. To this day, more Democrats or Democrat-leaning independents (42%) report frequent mask use.

Even though there has been an overall decline in mask use on planes, travel experts report that many travelers continue to wear masks on flights. Many clientele still opt to wear masks, while others enjoy the flexibility to do so. That said, mask use is much lower on flights to certain areas of the country. With climbing COVID numbers, travel experts can only hope that people take more precautions during travel, especially as they head into summer travel season. Families with younger children, or people who are at risk of severe illness, are more likely to wear masks on flights. 

Americans Aren’t As Bothered By Unmasked Travelers

According to a recent White House COVID-19 press briefing, over 32% of Americans live in a county with medium or high COVID-19 community risk level. In medium- or high-risk areas, the CDC encourages people to wear a mask in indoor public settings. It also states that any areas with COVID-19 risk, people can always opt to mask up for their own protection. The Pew survey showed that more American adults have become more tolerant of others who don’t want to wear a mask in public indoor settings. 63% of Americans do not really mind when mask-less people are around them. This contrasts the 72% of Americans who were bothered by people not wearing masks in November 2020. 

As more Americans take to the skies, rails, and roadways for summer travel, the hope is that people don’t shame or judge others for masking decisions. Pilots continue to ask people to respect everyone’s mask choice, regardless if it differs from their own. It seems that tensions have eased since the early days of airline mask disagreements and disputes. Let’s be as healthy as we can be to keep our immune systems strong during summer travel. 

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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved a second COVID-19 booster shot for both Moderna and Pfizer. The aim of the second booster shot is to protect Americans who are most vulnerable to COVID-19. People 50 years of age and older who are at least four months out from their last dose can receive the new booster. But the fact remains that people are less interested in getting the shot now that mask mandates are ending and the world is opening back up. 

COVID-19 cases are down in the United States, with numbers dropping to the lowest point since July 2021. The BA.2 subvariant of omicron is the current dominant strain in America and is sweeping across Europe, but what’s the right choice moving forward in regards to vaccines? The scientific evidence surrounding a fourth dose is incomplete. Researchers cannot conclude if people need the shots, with some scientists saying that they are dubious about the decision to get a second one. 

Although the FDA authorized people over the age of 50 to receive a second booster, experts point out the lack of research surrounding it. What the research does show, however, is that people in poor health, those 65 and older, or people with underlying health conditions may benefit from another booster. The reasoning behind this is because they are more susceptible to contracting COVID-19 and suffering from more severe symptoms without vaccine protection.

Do You Need Another Booster Shot?

This is a question that you have to answer yourself, as only you can decide what is right for you. Health experts do say that your overall health status factors in to this decision. If you are aged 50 or older and in good health with no underlying conditions, you may want to wait a bit. Infectious diseases specialists say that it’s perfectly reasonable for people under 60 to wait, noting that current vaccines and boosters still offer protection against death and severe disease. 

According to several research studies, many people have sufficient protection from severe illness. Even if someone contracts the omicron variant, which can slip through immune defenses, two or three doses of Moderna or Pfizers’s vaccine proved powerful enough protection. An Israeli study found that adults older than 60 who got a fourth dose were 78% less likely to die from COVID-19 than those who received three shots. That study has flaws, though, given that the participants volunteered to get a fourth shot. 

People who are naturally careful about their health may be more cautious about the coronavirus. They are more likely to exercise, eat healthy, wear a mask, and less likely to smoke cigarettes. These factors may make a second booster look more effective than it is. Other data from that study suggests that a second booster had marginal benefits in healthy young people. 

Is A Second Booster Shot Dangerous?

Health officials continue to say that vaccines are incredibly safe. There is no danger surrounding an additional shot. It’s possible to experience brief bouts of fatigue, site pain, and fever, as is consistent with the other shots. The only reason it would be dangerous is if you are allergic to something within the vaccine. 

Should You Time A Booster With Travel? 

This is a strategy that many people want to employ, but it does carry some risk. The omicron variant spread like wildfire when it hit during late November 2021, quickly overwhelming hospitals and healthcare workers. The BA.2 variant is more contagious, but it doesn’t necessarily cause severe symptoms like previous variants. 

Vaccine protections don’t last forever and they do take some time to kick in. According to research, the protection against hospitalization for people two months after they got their first booster was 91%. That protection dropped to 78% four months after getting the first booster. If you plan to travel in late summer, the second booster may not be effective if you get it now. 

Lastly, if you contracted COVID-19 during the omicron wave, you don’t have to rush to get another booster shot. Experts say that any infection within the past three months gives you a similar level of protection against reinfection as a booster will. 

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A new sub-variant of the omicron variant of the coronavirus has gained the attention from scientists around the world. It’s steadily becoming the dominant cause of COVID-19 infections in certain countries. Should you panic? Scientists say that even though the BA.2 sub-variant exists in 49 countries, including the United States, it is not yet cause for concern. 

Although there has been a higher increase in cases because it is highly transmissible, the surge did come from a low number of cases. Researchers have an easier time observing these cases and how BA.2 behaves. Consider BA.2 to be a close cousin of omicron that is outcompeting it in parts of Asia and Europe. Almost 80% of all of the new COVID-19 cases in Denmark, for example, are attributed to BA.2. 

What Do Experts Know About BA.2?

In addition to BA.2, there are other sub-variants under the omicron umbrella, including Ba.1.1.529 and BA.3, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). BA.2 accounts for 9% of cases in the United Kingdom and 8% in the U.S. At the moment, experts know that BA.2 is very contagious, but it doesn’t seem to produce more more severe disease. Current vaccines should provide protection against severe disease and hospitalization, but not infection from BA.2. 

A U.K. health report that was released on January 27th, 2022, found that current vaccines offer the same protection against BA.2 as they do against the original omicron. The difference is that vaccines offer slightly better protection against the symptoms from BA.2 infection. The protection percentage is about 70% two weeks after receiving a booster, according to the report. 

How Does BA.2 Differ From Omicron?

BA.2 differs from omicron in regards to the concentrated spike protein, the part of the virus that vaccines target. Unlike omicron, BA.2 doesn’t reveal a certain signature on lab tests, i.e. it doesn’t have s-gene target failure. That means that BA.2 looks like other SARS-CoV-2 variants on a first screen, which is why researchers call it a “stealth variant.” Some experts think that this nickname may be misleading to some. It may cause them to think that BA.2 will not show up on lab tests, but this is not the case. Both FDA-approved lab tests and at-home antigen tests should be able to detect this sub-variant, in addition to the original omicron. 

Is BA.2 More Transmissible? 

Early reports indicate that it is more infectious than the already contagious BA.1 variant. At this time, health officials say that BA.2 is roughly 1.5 times more transmissible than BA.1, but it doesn’t cause more severe disease. One preliminary analysis from the U.K. traced COVID-19 infections from December 27th, 2021, to January 11th, 2022. The findings suggested that BA.2 accounted for 13.4% of household transmission, compared to 10.3% from BA.1. 

At this time health experts are wondering if a previous BA.1 infection protects individuals from the BA.2 sub-variant. If a prior BA.1 infection doesn’t protect against BA.2, then certain areas may see a two-humped wave of high COVID-19 cases. Unfortunately, it’s still too early to know if this will happen or not. 

Where Is BA.2 Most Prominent?

COVID-19 vaccine researchers from Australia showed 10,811 BA.2 sequences detected worldwide as of January 27th, 2022. Roughly 90% of sequences, however, were from Denmark, India, and the U.K. It’s important to keep calm during this time because BA.2 doesn’t show increased severity. More research is necessary, but continue to follow local health and safety guidelines to protect yourself as much as possible. 

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With the recent surge of the omicron COVID-19 variant in the United States, more and more people are procuring tests. While the PCR test is the most accurate way to detect COVID-19, it can be difficult to schedule an appointment. That’s why many people opt for the at-home rapid antigen tests. How accurate are these tests, which you can now obtain for free via the United States Postal Service?

Two types of tests can identify a current infection of SARS-CoV-2. The first test is the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, also called a diagnostic test or molecular test. This test identifies infection by detecting genetic material of the coronavirus. The second type of test is an antigen test, which diagnoses COVID-19 by searching for certain molecules found on the surface of SARS-CoV-2. Rapid antigen tests provide results quickly and don’t require lab analysis. Even though they yield quick results, they aren’t as accurate as PCR tests. 

How Accurate Are Rapid Antigen Tests?

The primary difference between a PCR and rapid antigen test is that rapid tests aren’t always sensitive enough to detect a positive infection. A PCR test may be able to detect positive infection sooner than a rapid test can, which helps reduce the spread of COVID-19. You can test negative with an antigen test, but there’s a possibility that you may be infected. The viral load may not be high enough for the test at that moment in time. People with symptoms may receive more accurate results.

If you want to test before getting together with a group of people, using a rapid antigen test may be sufficient. If you are traveling or attending an event, however, a PCR test is often necessary. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), antigen test sensitivity will vary depending on where you are in your infection. It has “moderate to high” sensitivity during peak viral load. That means that antigen tests are more likely to generate false negatives, especially on symptomless people.

Chances Or Rapid Tests Giving False Negatives

A 2021 review examined the results of 64 test accuracy studies that evaluated commercially produced molecular or rapid antigen tests. The results indicated that the accuracy varied considerably. For people with COVID-19 symptoms, the tests gave correct positive results 72% of the time. The average positive results for people with symptoms fell with the range of 63.7% to 79% accuracy. 

The accuracy for the antigen tests was different for people without COVID-19 symptoms. The researchers found that antigen tests had 58.1% accuracy for symptomless people. Researchers also used antigen tests during the first and second week of symptoms. Rapid antigen tests more accurately detected positive COVID-19 infection during the first week of symptoms. In fact the accuracy percentage was 78.3%, but it dropped to 51% accurate during the second week of symptoms. 

Are Some Rapid Tests Better Than Others?

In order for test makers to sell rapid test kits, they have to submit clinical data about the sensitivity and specificity of the test. Sensitivity relates to the test’s ability to detect a true positive, while specificity relates to the ability of the test to detect a true negative. The use of all at-home COVID-19 tests is allowed under emergency use from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For this reason, the relative performance of individual tests hasn’t been rigorously tested by the FDA. Is there one rapid test that is better or more reliable than another one? It’s very difficult or even possible to give an answer. 

Lastly, there is no rapid test that tells you which variant you have. In order to detect a variant, lab genetic testing is necessary. Random samples of positive COVID-19 are sent to specialized labs, where researchers anonymously sequence them to identify variants. Should you want the most accurate result for COVID-19 positivity or negativity, get a PCR test.

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COVID-19 cases continue to surge across the country, and yet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced new shortened isolation times for asymptomatic people who test positive for COVID-19. The previous quarantine guidelines for people who tested positive were 10 days of isolation. The new isolation restrictions for people who do not have symptoms is now five days, but they should continue to wear a mask around others for an additional five days after quarantining. 

In addition to the reduced isolation recommendation, the CDC also suggests a five-day quarantine for people exposed to the virus who are not vaccinated, or over six months from their second mRNA dose. Health experts say that the CDC’s recommendations for isolation balance what they already know about the spread of COVID-19. Currently, omicron accounts for 73% of coronavirus infections in the United States, and breakthrough infections are rising within the fully vaccinated population, including those who received a booster shot. 

Why Did Isolation Time Reduce?

According to data analysis, the majority of COVID-19 transmission occurs early in the course of the illness. Generally speaking, people transmit the disease one to two days prior to experiencing symptoms, and two to three days after. Isolation relates to behavior after confirming COVID-19 infection, and quarantine refers to the confinement period after exposure to a known case of COVID-19. People who are asymptomatic have different guidelines than those who experience symptoms. 

ANYONE WHO TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 SHOULD ISOLATE FOR AT LEAST FIVE DAYS, REGARDLESS OF VACCINATION STATUS.

Reducing quarantine guidelines can help asymptomatic people return to work or school sooner, provided proper precautions are in place. The CDC states that people who received their booster shot do not need to quarantine after exposure. They should, however, wear a mask for 10 days after to be safe. It’s also beneficial to get a COVID-19 test after exposure as a precaution. 

What If Symptoms Are Present?

Should you experience a fever or other symptoms of COVID-19, you should continue to stay home until symptoms resolve. If your symptoms resolve after five days and you don’t have a fever for 24 hours, the CDC states that you are free to leave your house with a mask on. It’s best to wear a well-fitting mask around other people after testing positive to minimize the risk of spreading the virus. 

What Should You Do If Your Are Exposed? 

Regardless of vaccination status, the CDC recommends that you quarantine for five days, followed by strict masking practices for five days after that. If, for whatever reason, a five-day quarantine is not feasible, the CDC says that it’s imperative that you wear a well-fitting mask at all times, especially when around others for 10 days. For anyone who is exposed to COVID-19, the best practice is to get a PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 at day five after initial exposure. Should symptoms occur, immediately quarantine until a negative test confirms that symptoms are not because of COVID-19. 

The motive behind these new guidelines is to keep society running smoothly. Experts only expect the volume of new cases to increase, especially with the recent holiday travel period. Booster shots greatly lower the risk that someone will contract the virus and pass it to other people. Recent data suggests that two doses of an mRNA vaccine is 35% effective, while a COVID-19 vaccine booster has 75% efficacy against infection. Regardless of vaccination status, please be safe and take precautions to keep yourself as healthy as possible. 

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Identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) on November 26th, the new COVID-19 omicron variant is a variant of concern. South Africa was the first country to report this new variant to the WHO, but a Dutch health agency confirmed its presence in the Netherlands one week prior. Omicron contains more unusual mutations than previous strains and it may be more transmissible and potentially resistant to vaccines. 

Why Is Omicron The Name Of The New Variant?

Omicron seems like a terrifying name. Is it intended to cause widespread panic and fear just before the holidays? The WHO said that it skipped “nu” and “xi” because they already have meanings in the real world. Nu is too similar to “new” and xi is a common surname in many countries. The WHO wants to remind everyone that omicron’s emergence indicates that COVID-19 is not a thing of the past. 

The emergence of the omicron variant sparked several travel bans from South Africa to surrounding countries. That being said, the omicron variant is already present in at least 20 countries, with the first U.S. case of it detected in California on December 1st, 2021. Blanket travel bans won’t prevent international spread, and they are not beneficial for lives and livelihoods. 

Why Do Viruses Mutate?

Mutations occur naturally in viruses. Just as the body develops antibodies to fight against a virus, a virus forms mutations to get around those antibodies to keep existing in the body. In regards to COVID-19 mutations, the primary concern is that variants will eventually bypass vaccine protection. This hasn’t happened yet, and there are many studies in progress attempting to determine vaccine efficacies against the omicron variant.

What Do Experts Know About Omicron?

Currently, some places in United Kingdom, Europe, southern Africa, and the United States have reported cases of the omicron variant. These cases aren’t linked to travel to southern Africa, suggesting that the variant is spreading person-to-person. Preliminary data suggests that omicron may pose a higher risk of reinfection than other variants in circulation. The WHO said, however, that there isn’t enough evidence to prove that at this time. 

Symptoms associated with the omicron variant do not appear to differ from other variants. It will take several weeks to understand the range and severity of omicron’s symptoms, the rate at which it transmits, and who is most at risk. The WHO claimed that COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations increased in areas where omicron has been detected. For example, South Africa saw a surge of 18,000 cases on the day it reported the variant. Since November 26th, 2021, the county has recorded more than 2,000 cases per day. 

Is Omicron More Dangerous Than The Delta Variant?

The delta variant of COVID-19, which was first detected in India, is currently the world’s most dominant variant. It proved to be more contagious than previous variations of the virus. The delta spreads easily because the spike protein is more adept at entering human cells. It did take about two months for the WHO to deem it “of concern,” though. 

Because of the high number of mutations, experts worry if the omicron variant will avoid the body’s defenses. The main thing to remember is that there is not enough data to determine how dangerous omicron is. It will take time and cases may rise because of this variant, but we can’t know for sure. Just be sure that you don’t buy up all of the toilet paper again! 

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