The rise of the strain has been rapid and consistent.
The stealth omicron subvariant which already was the dominant strain in the U.S. now accounts for more than 70% of all sampled cases in New Jersey through March 19, according to the states latest variant tracker.
In early February, stealth omicron (BA.2) made up less than 3% of cases in the Garden State. It accounted for 45.7% in the week ending March 12.
For weeks, experts have been predicting that BA.2 a genetically distinct branch of the omicron variant (BA.1) would spread until it became the dominant strain in the state and country. However, theyve also maintained that the subvariant was unlikely to lead to another devastating wave.
Yes, infections may increase, experts say, but they do not anticipate lockdowns or other measures, even as masks come off and state mandates end.
But the United Kingdom seen as the canary in the coal mine when it comes to what New Jersey and the rest of the U.S. can expect in the pandemic is experiencing a concerning surge in COVID-19 cases, with 1 in 13 people 4.9 million estimated to have the virus, The Associated Press reported. The record number of infected has also spurred a rise in hospitalizations and deaths.
BA.2 is highly transmissible more transmissible than its variant predecessors. But its not believed to be deadlier. And experts say the large number of vaccinated residents in New Jersey as well as the thousands of people who were infected with omicron likely have some immunity to BA.2.
The original omicron variant still accounts for 29.2% of all cases in New Jersey.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com.
By now, theres a good chance youve heard about the BA.2 variant of the coronavirus but experts are unsure about what to make of it.
Driving the news: Experts recently told The Daily Beast that the new BA.2 COVID-19 variant has been confusing because it has dominated some countries while remaining mostly absent from other parts of the world.
The bigger picture: COVID-19 cases are still spreading across the world. China has had to contend with new coronavirus subtypes including new mutations of the omicron variant, per Bloomberg as the United Kingdom has had to battle omicron XE, a hybrid version of two omicron variant mutations.
Total vaccine doses distributed: 705,237,845
Patients whove received the first dose: 255,713,962
Patients whove received the second dose: 217,834,304
% of population fully vaccinated: 65.6%
% of infections tied to the Omicron Variant: 100%
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By Leela Stockley, Bangor Daily News StaffAnother 256 coronavirus cases have been reported across the state, Maine health officials said Saturday.Saturdays report brings the total number of coronavirus cases in Maine to 236,258, according to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
By Leela Stockley, Bangor Daily News Staff
Another 256 coronavirus cases have been reported across the state, Maine health officials said Saturday.
Saturdays report brings the total number of coronavirus cases in Maine to 236,258, according to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Thats up from 236,046 on Friday.
Of those, 171,079 have been confirmed positive, while 65,179 were classified as probable cases, the Maine CDC reported.
No new deaths were reported on Saturday, leaving the statewide death toll at 2,202.
The number of coronavirus cases diagnosed in the past 14 days statewide is 2,562. This is an estimation of the current number of active cases in the state, as the Maine CDC is no longer tracking recoveries for all patients. Thats up from 2,509 on Friday.
The new case rate statewide Saturday was 1.58 cases per 10,000 residents, and the total case rate statewide was 1,765.22.
The most cases have been detected in Mainers younger than 20, while Mainers over 80 years old account for the largest portion of deaths. More cases have been recorded in women and more deaths in men.
So far, 4,568 Mainers have been hospitalized at some point with COVID-19, the illness caused by the new coronavirus.
Of those, 91 are currently hospitalized, with 17 in critical care and five on a ventilator. Overall, 86 out of 349 critical care beds and 259 out of 329 ventilators are available.
The total statewide hospitalization rate on Saturday was 34.13 patients per 10,000 residents.
Cases have been reported in Androscoggin (22,404), Aroostook (12,711), Cumberland (48,183), Franklin (5,664), Hancock (7,358), Kennebec (22,882), Knox (5,917), Lincoln (5,164), Oxford (11,242), Penobscot (27,367), Piscataquis (2,967), Sagadahoc (5,064), Somerset (9,593), Waldo (6,012), Washington (4,332) and York (39,387) counties. Information about where an additional 11 cases were reported wasnt immediately available.
An additional 2,291 vaccine doses were administered in the previous 24 hours. As of Saturday, 1,001,610 Mainers are fully vaccinated, or about 78.21 percent of eligible Mainers, according to the Maine CDC.
As of Saturday morning, the coronavirus had sickened 80,140,311 people in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as caused 982,374 deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins University of Medicine.
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) For the millions of Americans that have gotten COVID-19, the health care journey isnt over. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed in a new report that the risk of cardiac complications persists following infection and recovery.
The report released April 1 paints the picture of ongoing risks and negative health outcomes that could spring up after a patient has gotten COVID-19. The report also touches on the potential risk of heart issues after receiving an mRNA vaccine for the coronavirus. The two mRNA vaccines available are from Pfizer and Moderna.
The report said cardiac complications, particularly myocarditis and pericarditis, have been tied to COVID-19 infection and mRNA COVID-19 vaccination. Additionally, the study by the CDC found cases of multisystem inflammatory syndrome, which the health agency described as a rare but serious complication of SARS-CoV-2 infection with frequent cardiac involvement.
The study found the risk for all three cardiac conditions was increased between one and three weeks after infection or vaccination.
Male youths were the patient group with the highest level of risk for developing the cardiac conditions after both vaccination and infection. For male patients 12 to 17 years old, the CDC said the risk for cardiac outcomes was highest after the second vaccine dose from an mRNA vaccine, but was even higher after a COVID-19 infection.
The incidence of cardiac outcomes after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination was highest for males aged 1217 years after the second vaccine dose; however, within this demographic group, the risk for cardiac outcomes was 1.85.6 times as high after SARS-CoV-2 infection than after the second vaccine dose, the CDC said. The risk for cardiac outcomes was likewise significantly higher after SARS-CoV-2 infection than after first, second, or unspecified dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccination for all other groups by sex and age.
However, the CDC study specifically focuses on risks from mRNA vaccines, meaning the Johnson & Johnson shot is not included in the treatments and prevention options that may provide additional risks to patients.
The CDC said due to their findings, they continue to support use of the mRNA vaccines for COVID-19 among all eligible patients, which is anyone 5 years or older.
The study data used was pulled from 40 health care systems to study the risk of cardiac complications from COVID-19 and mRNA vaccinations for COVID-19, among male and female patients across multiple age demographics.
Heres the latest news from the pandemic.
Much has been written about the effects of the pandemic on mental health, especially for young people. This week, the U.S. released an eye-opening report on the toll of isolation, anxiety, pain and abuse created by Covid-19 for teenagers.
FISHERS, Ind. (WISH) A new coronavirus testing and vaccination site opens Monday in Fishers.
The Fishers Health Department will only offer testing and vaccines at the Fishers Health Department Clinic at 8937 Technology Drive.
The health department previously closed two other testing and vaccination sites and says it is consolidating all services into one location due to declining infection rates, declining demand for testing, and the citys outstanding COVID-19 rates.
Free drive-thru COVID-19 rapid tests are available by appointment only for people ages five and up.
COVID-19 tests will be available during the following times:
For COVID-19 vaccines, people can walk-in or schedule appointments ahead of time for first, second, and booster vaccinations.
The Fishers Health Departments non-COVID-19 testing site will be open in the same location. It offers vaccinations for flu, HPV, meningitis, and more. Immunizations are by appointment only and can be scheduled online. Vaccines are available from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and 9 a.m. to noon on Fridays.
File photo of a vaccination clinic in Fulton March 2021 - Judy Grandy, director of environmental health for the Oswego County Health Department, is pictured talking with a patient. Photo courtesy of Sonia Robinson.
OSWEGO COUNTY The Oswego County Health Department continues to offer COVID-19 vaccines for county residents at twice-weekly vaccination clinics, including Wednesday walk-in clinics starting April 6.
COVID-19 vaccines are also available at medical provider offices and local pharmacies. Anyone seeking general immunizations, or a COVID-19 vaccine, can contact the Oswego County Health Department at 315-349-3547.
To view a list of upcoming clinics, visit health.oswegocounty.com/vaccines. The following upcoming clinics are scheduled:
Tuesdays, April 5, 12, 19, 2612:30-3:30 p.m. Nick Sterio Public Health Clinic, 70 Bunner St., OswegoGeneral childhood and adult immunizations, including available pediatric and adult COVID-19 vaccines. Appointments are required. Call 315-349-3547 to schedule an appointment.
Wednesdays, April 6, 13, 20, 279-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. Nick Sterio Public Health Clinic, 70 Bunner St., OswegoAttendees aged 5 and older can receive age-appropriate recommended doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, and anyone aged 18 and older can receive recommended doses of the Moderna or Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccines.No appointments needed on Wednesdays. Walk-ins are welcome.
At-home COVID-19 test kits will be distributed to individuals who are vaccinated at upcoming clinics. Test kits will be distributed while supplies last.
Face masks are required at all health care settings regulated by the state Department of Health, including the Oswego County Health Department and any vaccination site.
For more information, go to the Oswego County Health Departments COVID-19 page at health.oswegocounty.com/covid-19 or call the COVID-19 hotline at 315-349-3330.
Residents should contact their medical providers directly for personal medical advice related to COVID-19 vaccinations, booster shots or treatments.
Under New York State Public Health Law, the Oswego County Health Department is the local public health authority regarding the COVID-19 pandemic response within the County of Oswego. The Oswego County Health Department works closely with New York State Department of Health regarding COVID-19 monitoring, response and reporting.
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