Over the last week, the massive surge in new, confirmed COVID-19 cases in the United States finally abated—possibly. On Jan. 23, the 7-day-average figure was at 693,300 per day, compared to 806,900 on Jan. 16. While still about eight times the level of the Delta days, it has been hoped that the flood waters would stop rising at the end of January or the beginning of February. However, left out of this picture is the massive drop in testing over the recent period, and the unheard levels of positivity, with over 40% of tests last week reporting infection nationwide. The spread of infection may actually still be unabated.
U.S. hospitals are packed with 151,600 COVID-infected patients. Fortunately, a smaller percentage ends up in the ICUs, but even so, there are 26,100 patients in ICUs—over 90% of the historic high level from a year ago. Deaths last week climbed by 10%, from 2,000 to 2,200 per day.
The big question over the next few weeks is whether the glimmer of hope—that Omicron is the variant that, spreading widely and less virulently, breaks the upward thrust of the pandemic—or the real danger of new variants breeding in this mess prevails.
