A Covid-19 'viral blizzard' is about to hit the US, expert says, with 'millions' to be infected soon

[left-of-center2012]

The coronavirus will hit millions of Americans in a "viral blizzard" within a few weeks as infections from the Omicron variant pile on top of Delta, an expert predicts. Already, hospitalizations are rising as the holiday season gets into full swing. Long lines for Covid-19 testing formed Thursday in metro areas, including New York, Boston and Miami.

The Delta variant remains a problem. And Omicron, with its high transmissibility, could strike millions more soon, said Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota.

"We're really just about to experience a viral blizzard," Osterholm told CNN's Erin Burnett on Thursday. "In the next three to eight weeks, we're going to see millions of Americans are going to be infected with this virus, and that will be overlaid on top of Delta, and we're not yet sure exactly how that's going to work out."

The Omicron variant has been identified in at least 40 states, in addition to Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico, according to public statements from hospital systems and state officials in their respective states. It's been just 17 days since the US detected its first case of Omicron.

Omicron will cause a serious strain on the health care system as more workers will likely get sick, Osterholm said, even though most cases from Omicron seem to be mild. "What you have here right now is a potential perfect storm," Osterholm said. "I've been very concerned about the fact that we could easily see a quarter or a third of our health care workers quickly becoming cases themselves."

"For the unvaccinated, we are looking at a winter of severe illness and death," he said.

https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/17/health/us-coronavirus-friday/index.html

[JanMichael]

1. Don't worry. A doctor in South Africa says it is OK. Take your masks off. It's over!

Sarc.

[Tickle]

2. Not to worry

deSantis will save us

really? Do I really need a sarcasm emoj

[lpbk2713]

3. This should make believers out of them.

Too bad so many will have to die first.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

4. Oh, that's just great.

No booster appts in my area until friday before xmas, when I'm set to be gone on vacation.

[babydollhead]

9. rite aid has walk in boosters from 2-3 pm every day.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

10. Thanks will check it out, though don't know of any Rite-aid's here in AZ (nt)

[Volaris]

5. I wonder if catching omicron, and having it keep your immune system busy,

Makes you more or less likley to pick up a more severe delta infection as a result...

[Lars39]

7. Good question...

Especially since they’re related.
You can catch more than one thing at the same time, though. My brother almost died from having mumps and measles at the same time.

[RKP5637]

6. Area where I am old people just walk around, no masks or anything, gather in groups

breathing on each other, coughing and all. Many are apparently still unvaccinated. Hope the funeral homes are stocked and ready to go. It will be horrible. I guess Fox News has told them not to worry anymore, it's all over. I told some that were vaccinated they should really get the booster shot. They said they didn't need it and had heard it was worthless. I didn't even get into it with them. I figure anymore fuck it. If you want to risk dying, fine. I'm tired of pointless conversations.

[Tickle]

8. get your booster

Full hospitals, mild cases: What an Omicron wave could look like in the US this winter

An Omicron wave may look slightly different than its predecessors: Early data suggests that Omicron produces milder cases compared with other variants, meaning many fully vaccinated and boosted people could expect relatively minor symptoms, such as a cough, fatigue, congestion, or runny nose.

[tanyev]

11. Our Christmas plan already was to hunker down and hardly leave the house.

That plan is looking better and better.

[left-of-center2012]

13. That is my life now

I'm 75 and want a few more years.

[NickB79]

12. Osterholm has been top notch this entire pandemic

He's right up there with Fauci for respectability and honesty.