COLUMBUS – Although the omicron variant of COVID-19 has been discovered in at least five states, none of them are Ohio, where officials say they still have plenty to do dealing with the delta variant.
Just a day after the first known U.S. case was found in California, the omicron variant turned up in four other states, showing yet again how mutations of the virus can circumnavigate the globe with speed and ease.
The director of the Ohio Department of Health says genetic sequencing tests being performed at labs across the state will allow officials to detect the variant quickly if it arrives in Ohio.
In the meantime, Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff says much of the characteristic of the new strain remains a mystery.
“Much remains unknown at this point, including whether it’s more transmissible or capable of causing more serious illness,” Vanderhoff said.
Early indications have shown that the omicron variant tends to cause only mild illness, he said.
Vanderhoff says health officials across Ohio are worried about a spike in cases and hospitalizations still caused by the delta variant.
The 9,131 new cases of COVID-19 reported on Thursday was 64% higher than the three-week average and the 3,916 patients in hospitals being treated for the coronavirus was the largest number since January, according to the health department and the Ohio Hospital Association.
Vanderhoff says northeast Ohio has been hardest hit and the number of cases per 100,000 people between the ages of 23 and 49 is 25% higher than the statewide average.
While all eyes are on the new and little-understood omicron variant, the delta form of the coronavirus isn’t finished wreaking havoc in the U.S., sending record numbers of patients to the hospital in some states, especially in the Midwest and New England.
Final Vax-2-School winners announced
The five grand prize winners of $100,000 scholarships in the state’s $2 million Vax-2-School vaccine incentive program will be announced during Friday night’s Ohio Lottery broadcast at approximately 7:29 p.m.
Each day, starting Monday, the state has awarded 30 daily $10,000 scholarship winners.
The final 30 winners will be announced Friday afternoon.
Since the vaccines were approved for everyone above the age of 4, more than 14% of Ohio children between 5 and 11 and nearly 45% of those between 12 and 17 have received at least one dose of the vaccine.
Biden administration tightens travel restrictions to combat omicron
President Joe Biden’s latest measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 will increase the hassle factor of entering the United States, even for American citizens returning from overseas.
Beginning next week, travelers heading to the U.S. will be required to show evidence of a negative test for the virus within one day of boarding their flight.
The previous period was three days.