It is the nature of viruses, such as the one that causes COVID-19, to evolve and change gradually.
But some COVID-19 variants, such as the omicron variant, mutate more than others.
Heres what to know.
Coronavirus variants are classified in differing categories by public health agencies, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
There are three classifications of coronavirus variants: variants of interest, variants of concern and variants of high consequence.
The omicron variant, which public health agencies have classified as a variant of concern, differs from other coronavirus strains because it has over 50 mutations, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Many of them are in the spike protein.
Because of its many mutations, the virus can evade immune responses and become more transmissible from person to person.
In other words, omicron and its mutations are more contagious, even though the illness may not be as severe as any other strain of COVID-19.
Current CDC data shows that you should be protected against omicron or one of its mutations, such as the BA.2 variant, if you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots.
According to a CDC study published in January 2022, receipt of a third vaccine dose was highly effective at preventing COVID-19-associated emergency department and urgent care encounters (94% and 82%, respectively) and preventing COVID-19associated hospitalizations (94% and 90%, respectively) during the delta and omicron waves of COVID-19.
Another CDC study from March 2022 found that receiving two to three doses of an mRNA vaccine, such as Pfizer or Moderna, was associated with a 90% reduction in the risk of death or need to be on a ventilator.
Those who got three mRNA vaccines during the omicron wave had a 94% reduction in risk of severe illness or death, according to the study.
Related stories about COVID-19:
How to get 4 more at-home COVID tests for free
Omicron subvariant BA.2: The new symptoms to look out for
How to get a COVID booster shot at CVS, Walgreens or Rite Aid
Should I get a second booster shot to prevent against COVID?
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The omicron XE variant continues to spread throughout the United States as restrictions loosen and mask mandates drop off.
What to know: The XE variant was dubbed a Frankenstein variant by Forbes writer Bruce Lee because it is a recombinant variant that merges the original omicron variant with the BA.2 variant, a subvariant of the original omicron.
The new omicron XE COVID-19 variantrecently made its way to Japan after already spreading through the United Kingdom.
The bigger picture: The COVID-19 variant has hit somewhat of a lull period in the United States, even though new variants have emerged.
The change was met with both celebration and concern, per the Associated Press, showing that theres still debate over how worried people should be about the pandemic.
The bottom line: The emergence of the XE is a frank reminder that the pandemic is not over yet, according to Forbes. And that you should do what you should have been doing all along, maintaining appropriate Covid-19 precautions.
AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) As allergy season once again overcomes the High Plains with a mixture of warm weather and high winds, anxieties and confusion have lingered for some as their symptoms seem to mimic those of COVID-19. This could become increasingly relevant as, according to previous reports by NewsNation, COVID-19 case numbers have seen a recent rise across some portions of the US.
UnitedHealthcare published a few tips on how a person might tell the difference between the virus and seasonal allergies.
As described by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), COVID-19 is a viral respiratory illness that can spread through the air when an infected person sneezes, coughs, or talks. There has been a wide array of reported symptoms of COVID-19, and those infected may experience a range from mild symptoms to severe illness. However, the CDC noted that some symptoms are more common:
While the CDC said that list does not include all possible symptoms of COVID-19, those have been reported more often by those confirmed to be infected. The CDC also published a self-checking tool on its website to assist with screening for possible COVID-19 infection.
Allergies impact nearly 50 million Americans each year, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, and occur when a persons immune system reacts to a foreign material like pollen, pet dander, or certain foods. While reported allergy symptoms have a broad range, UnitedHealthcare noted that some are the most common:
Although there is some obvious difference in the lists of symptoms, a person who is experiencing a cough, congestion, and a sore throat or another set of milder symptoms may still be unsure whether to give credit to allergies or COVID-19 for their condition. However, healthcare leaders have noted a few indicators that could help a person determine the likely cause of their symptoms.
The CDC noted that if a person doesnt have a fever, loss of taste or smell, or trouble breathing, then they are more likely experiencing allergies than COVID-19. Further, itchy or watery eyes and sneezing were noted as more common in seasonal allergies than in COVID-19.
Another indicator, said UnitedHealthcare, is that COVID-19 symptoms typically progress over a shorter period of time than allergies, appearing two to 14 days after possible exposure. If a person has been experiencing the same mild symptoms for a long stretch of time, that may be evidence that they have allergies instead of COVID-19.
Further, UnitedHealthcare said that a person might have allergies if over-the-counter antihistamines or steroid nasal sprays are helping them feel better.
Despite these indicators and tips, healthcare leaders such as the CDC suggest that if a person thinks they may have been exposed and are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 that they contact their doctor or healthcare provider and consider taking a COVID-19 test.
The most up-to-date information on COVID-19 testing, vaccinations, and treatments on the High Plains can be found here.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. New confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the borough jumped by more than 50% over the past seven days compared to the preceding week, city Health Department data shows.
At the same time, the death rate on Staten Island attributed to the disease has remained constant, increasing by four in each of the past two weeks.
Meanwhile, coronavirus hospitalizations, which had soared above 300 early in the year, have fluctuated in the low-to-mid-20s since the beginning of the month.
With respect to new COVID cases, ZIP code data on the Health Departments web site depict a surge in certain parts of the city, especially sections of Manhattan and Brooklyn, including Williamsburg and Greenpoint.
On Staten Island, the ZIP codes with the highest positivity rate were 10307 at 8.16% and 10312 at 7.33% for the period of April 6 through 12, according to the most recent data available on the Health Departments web site.
ZIP code 10307 covers Tottenville, while ZIP code 10312 includes Annadale, Arden Heights, Eltingville, Greenridge and Huguenot.
As of Friday afternoon, 144,404 confirmed coronavirus cases have been recorded on Staten Island since the pandemic struck over two years ago, per city Health Department data.
There had been 144,283 cases on Thursday, for a one-day increase of 121.
On Friday, April 8, there were 143,622 confirmed cases, meaning that number rose by 782 over the past week.
That averages to about 112 cases a day, a boost of 53.4% from the 73 new daily cases the borough had averaged between April 1 and April 8.
As recently as the week between Feb. 25 and March 4, Staten Island had averaged just over 38 new COVID cases per day.
All data is preliminary, subject to change and can reflect lags in collection, the Health Department said.
HOSPITALIZATIONS
Despite the spike in new cases, the number of patients with coronavirus in Staten Island hospitals has remained fairly constant over past two weeks, and, in fact, has dropped considerably since the beginning of March.
As of Friday afternoon, 25 in-patients with coronavirus were being treated in Staten Islands two hospital systems. There had been the same number of patients a week earlier.
Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH) had 22 patients, up three from April 8, said Jillian OHara, a spokeswoman.
Richmond University Medical Center in West Brighton was caring for three patients, a drop from three from April 8, Alex Lutz, a spokesman, said.
Previously, on both Monday and Tuesday, COVID-19 hospitalizations in the borough had dipped to 20 before rising.
Looking back to the beginning of the month, 23 patients with coronavirus had been hospitalized on Staten Island on April 1.
Still, Fridays overall tally is 31 less than the 56 hospitalizations recorded on March 4. That marks a decline of more than 55% over the past six weeks.
COVID-19 hospitalizations in the borough have plummeted after hitting this years peak of 378 on Jan. 11.
Since that time, patient numbers have fallen by 353, or over 93%.
Hospitals must now report the number of patients being treated for coronavirus complications compared to those who test positive for the disease after being admitted for other reasons.
At Richmond University, none of Fridays three in-patients with coronavirus was admitted due to the disease or complications of it, said Lutz. While those patients were COVID-19 positive, the coronavirus was not included as one of the reasons for their admission, he said.
Those patients were hospitalized for various issues, such as emergency care, childbirth, behavioral health, and heart issues and were found to have the coronavirus.
An SIUH spokesman said in-patients there with COVID-19 are being treated primarily for the disease.
DEATHS
Also on Friday, 2,318 Staten Islanders are believed to have died from complications related to the coronavirus, per city Health Department statistics.
The death total had been the same on Thursday and was 2,314 on April 8.
Previously, Staten Island had also recorded four deaths during the one-week period of April 1 through April 8.
The fatalities include borough residents with confirmed coronavirus cases, as well as those whose deaths were considered as the probable result of the disease.
The Health Departments web site does not have a breakdown.
A death is classified as probable if the decedent was a city resident who had no known positive laboratory test for the coronavirus, but the death certificate lists COVID-19 or an equivalent as a cause of death.
The vast majority of confirmed coronavirus deaths in the five boroughs since the outbreak have occurred in individuals with underlying medical issues, which include lung disease, asthma, heart disease, a weakened immune system, obesity, diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease and cancer.
Citywide, 1,987,692 confirmed coronavirus cases have been reported as of Friday afternoon.
As for suspected coronavirus deaths across the five boroughs, that total has reached 40,133.
The Biden administration said Tuesday it willlikelyappeal a federal judge's ruling that struck down Covid-19 mask mandates on planes and other forms of public transportation.
"The Department of Justice and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) disagree with the district court's decision and will appeal," the DOJ said in a statement, "subject to CDC's conclusion that the order remains necessary for public health."
"If CDC concludes that a mandatory order remains necessary for the public's health after that assessment, the Department of Justice will appeal the district court's decision," the DOJ said.
The Transportation Security Administration said it would stop enforcing mask rules hours after U.S. Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle in Tampa, Florida, ruled Monday that the CDC overstepped its bounds when it mandated face coverings on planes, trains, buses and other forms of public transportation.
Mizelle was appointed to the federal bench in 2020 by former President Donald Trump.
The CDC, meanwhile, maintained its recommendation that people wear masks on public transit.
An American Airlines worker assists passengers Don Wolfe and Sarah Curtis, of Huntsville, Alabama, after the Biden administration announced it would no longer enforce a U.S. coronavirus disease (COVID-19) mask mandate on public transportation, following a federal judge's ruling that the 14-month-old directive was unlawful, at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, April 19, 2022.
Kevin Lamarque | Reuters
The DOJ said Tuesday that it "continues to believe that the order requiring masking in the transportation corridor is a valid exercise of the authority Congress has given CDC to protect the public health."
"That is an important authority the Department will continue the work to preserve," the agency's statement said.
Mizelle's ruling came days after the CDC decided it would keep its mask mandate in place until at least May 3 while it assessed the current threat of Covid infections on hospital capacity.
Covid cases, hospitalizations and deaths have dropped drastically in the U.S. in comparison with the winter months, when the omicron variant fueled a massive surge in infections. The CDC has recently loosened some of its other health guidelines in accordance with those trends.
Some transportation companies, such as the airlines United and Delta and the railroad operator Amtrak, were quick to announce Monday evening that wearing masks was now optional for passengers and employees using their travel services.
In the first year of the pandemic, at least four people in Michigan were infected with a version of the coronavirus observed mostly in mink, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed on Monday.
The cluster, which previously included just three cases, represents the first known instance of possible animal-to-human transmission of the virus in the United States.
Two of the infected were employees of a Michigan mink farm that experienced a coronavirus outbreak in October 2020. The other two had no known links to the farm, suggesting that the mink variant may have been circulating more widely among area residents at the time.
Samples of the virus collected from all four people contained two mutations that scientists have hypothesized may be signs of adaptation to mink, Dr. Casey Barton Behravesh, who directs the C.D.C.s One Health Office, said in an email on Monday.
The mutations have previously been documented in farmed mink in Europe, as well as in people with connections to those farms.
This, in addition to the mink farm workers testing positive for Covid-19 after the mink herd had begun experiencing illness and increased mortality, suggests that the most likely hypothesis is that the workers were infected after contact with mink on the farm, Dr. Barton Behravesh said.
But that cannot be conclusively proved, she noted.
Because there are few genetic sequences available from the communities around the farm, it is impossible to know for sure whether the mutations came from mink on the farm or were already circulating in the community, she said.
National Geographic first reported the fourth human case, after obtaining government documents about the mink farm outbreak under the Freedom of Information Act.
Last year, The Detroit Free Press and the Documenting Covid-19 project reported on the first three cases, which included the two farm workers and a taxidermist who had no known connection to the mink farm, according to emails obtained by the two organizations.
On Monday, they reported that the fourth case had been the taxidermists wife.
In early October 2020, Michigan officials announced that the virus had been detected in mink on a local farm and that several of the animals had died. Upon the states request, the C.D.C. deployed a team to help investigate the outbreak.
The investigators collected samples from animals and human workers on the farm, as well as people in the surrounding community, Dr. Barton Behravesh said. In March 2021, the C.D.C. updated its website to note that a small number of people had contracted a version of the virus that contained unique mink-related mutations.
This suggests mink-to-human spread might have occurred, the agency said, noting that all of the human patients had recovered.
But the first human cases, in two workers on the affected mink farm, were identified as early as Nov. 4, months before the agency updated its website, National Geographic reported.
C.D.C. became aware of genetic sequencing data indicating possible mink-to-human transmission in late 2020, Dr. Barton Behravesh said.
The agency then worked with other federal and state officials to analyze that data, she added: Information was published on the C.D.C. website as soon as it became clear there was possible mink to human spread.
Mink-to-human transmission has also been reported in Denmark, the Netherlands and elsewhere.
Overall, transmission of the virus from animals to humans is believed to be rare. Humans are far more likely to spread the virus to one another, or to other species, than they are to catch it from animals, experts say.
Total vaccine doses distributed: 718,074,545
Patients whove received the first dose: 256,777,441
Patients whove received the second dose: 218,907,165
% of population fully vaccinated: 65.9%
% of infections tied to the Omicron Variant: 100%
Gen. James C. McConville, Army chief of staff, promotes Pfc. Jeslyam Martinez-Morales, a soldier assigned to the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade of the 3rd Infantry Division, from private first class to specialist during McConvilles visit to Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield, Ga., on March 23, 2022. (Sgt. Robert Wormley/U.S. Army)
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The Armys top general tested positive for the coronavirus on Sunday and was experiencing very mild symptoms, according to a service spokeswoman.
Gen. James McConville, the Army chief of staff, was working remotely Monday after the positive test, said Lt. Col. Mary Ricks, his spokeswoman. She described his symptoms as seasonal allergy-like.
McConville, 63, is fully vaccinated against the coronavirus and has also received two booster shots, Ricks said in a statement. A member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, McConville was adhering to all federal health protocols recommended by the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Some 129,734 active-duty soldiers have tested positive for the coronavirus since the pandemic swept across the globe in March 2020, according to Pentagon data.
About 97% of the services roughly 486,000 active-duty soldiers have been fully vaccinated against the virus, as of April 13, according to the services most recent data.
Army leaders had removed 255 soldiers from the service for refusing the vaccine, service officials said last week. Active-duty soldiers were required to become fully inoculated against the coronavirus by December, but the service did not begin removing active-duty soldiers from the Army until last month.
Meanwhile, the service has granted 22 permanent medical exemptions and two religion-based exemptions for soldiers seeking to remain in the Army without taking the shots. The service has denied 661 medical exemptions requests and 808 religious exemption requests. Army leaders were still evaluating some 4,900 exemption requests as of last week, according to service.
SAN YSIDRO BORDER CROSING (KUSI) Some experts warn a humanitarian crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border could get even worse if the Biden administration follows through on a plan to remove coronavirus restrictions.
Biden plans to rescind Title 42, a Trump-era policy which allows border officials to rapidly turn away migrants at the border without due process (such as the option to seek asylum) in order to stop the cross-country spread of COVID-19.
Restrictions are set to end on May 23 unless lawmakers prevent it from moving forward.
KUSIs Dan Plante was live at the San Ysidro Border with more reaction from local leaders.
