COLORADO, USA – As omicron spreads at a staggering speed, most of the top news tales are highlighting endless cancellations of sporting activities, shows, and flights in order to steer clear of the spread from the new COVID variant.
These occasions have unquestionably left lots of people questioning a lot of the things they learn about COVID-19 and just what signs and symptoms to look for with regards to omicron.
Based on 9NEWS health expert, Dr. Payal Kohli, the signs and symptoms of omicron might be diverse from individuals from the original virus strain.
“Particularly, there’s less cough, high fever, and lack of taste or smell,” she stated.
Although there’s still much to become discovered in the brand new COVID variant, Kohli stated that omicron signs and symptoms may more mild compared to initial strain which might give many people an incorrect feeling of security even if they are doing encounter signs and symptoms.
The greater prominent omicron signs and symptoms are:
- Headache
- Back discomfort
- Nasal congestion
- Sneezing
- Tickly throat
Since the household gatherings are gone, Kohli stated the medical community is bracing for any boost in COVID-19 cases following family and buddies gathering for that holiday.
“I must state that the medical community is getting yourself ready for the worst as this variant is amazingly contagious greater than every other variant we view,” she stated.
Through the finish of Christmas week, the Cdc and Prevention (CDC) estimate that variants will fuel a potential 55% spike in new infections and lead to 1.3 million new cases slot online.
Omicron also offers a significantly shorter incubation period for the purpose of exposure.
“This really is behaving very differently, and individuals 3 to 5 days that’s stuck in everybody’s mind must shift up now, to a lot more like 2 to 3 days just due to the incubation period being different,” stated Kohli. “Because it’s a shorter incubation period, you spread it more rapidly without realizing, so you have to test earlier to avoid multiplication.”
Kohli stands out on the following for those who can experience omicron signs and symptoms.
Test immediately. However, having a vaccinated person may test negative despite the signs and symptoms start since the defense mechanisms take over early, which in turn causes the signs and symptoms. Within an unvaccinated person, the start of signs and symptoms implies that the defense mechanisms have kicked in, and thus likely the viral load is high.
Isolate for seven to ten days or until your signs and symptoms resolve and also you test negative.
Call your physician and find out should you are eligible for antibodies or antiviral medications.
Although no deaths associated with the brand new variant happen to be reported in Colorado, one unvaccinated man in the 50s continues to be reported to possess died after being have contracted the omicron variant in Texas.
Colorado COVID-19 data
Officials using the Colorado Department of Public Health insurance and Atmosphere (CDPHE) gave an update around the state’s reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic a week ago and stated that cases are trending up the very first time in days.
CDPHE Condition Epidemiologist Dr. Rachel Herlihy stated the rise is probably being driven through the omicron variant. The percent positivity data also show a rise, having a current seven-day average positivity rate of seven.8%.
The condition has detected key omicron signatures in most 21 wastewater systems that are taking part in CDPHE’s recognition program. Condition labs also have seen a clear, crisp rise in the proportion of positive PCR tests presenting the profile for that omicron variant, particularly since 12, 10.
Herlihy stated this data shows that potentially 1 / 2 of brand new cases detected in recent days could result from the omicron variant.
Isolation and quarantine
On Monday, CDPHE updated its guidance to complement the brand new recommendations from CDC regarding COVID-19 isolation and quarantine.
The guidance cuts down on the suggested amount of time in isolation for individuals within the general population with COVID-19 from 10 to 5 days, if asymptomatic on day five, adopted by yet another 5 days putting on a mask when around others.
This transformation is dependant on data showing that almost all COVID-19 transmission occurs early throughout the illness, based on CDPHE.