Each new variant has its share of complications. With the explosion of the Omicron variant, first discovered in South Africa in mid-October, the United States is experiencing an outbreak of cases, but not only. In New York City, and New York State more generally, health authorities are seeing a surge in hospital admissions with an increase of nearly 190% since November 1, reports NBC New York.
Among these new admissions to the hospital, more and more children with Covid-19. The New York State Department of Health “is closely monitoring an upward trend in pediatric hospitalizations associated with Covid-19,” according to a statement released Friday.
“The largest increase concerns New York City with admissions which have quadrupled” between the week of December 5 and that of December 19, it said. Half of these admissions concern children under the age of 5, therefore who are not yet old enough to be vaccinated. According to figures relayed by NBC New York on Monday, admissions for children now stand at 184 statewide, including 109 in New York, down from 70 just two weeks ago.
Limited offer. 2 months for 1 € without commitment
–
To view the infographic, click here
“Many people continue to think that children are not infected with Covid. This is not true. Children are infected with Covid and some will be hospitalized. Vaccination coverage remains too low, then alerted Dr. Mary T . Bassett, the state health commissioner. We need to increase immunization for children, especially in the 5 to 11 age group. ” According to her, pediatric hospitalizations for Covid-19 have doubled in the past three weeks in New York State, and have increased fivefold in the “Big Apple”.
Soaring cases
The number of Covid-19 cases in the United States continues to increase, with nearly 190,000 new cases daily over the past seven days on average, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University. And New York is not spared. In two weeks, the number of cases recorded daily has increased from 185,000 to more than 240,000 today.
To view the infographic, click here
The arrival of the new variant, and the end of the year celebrations, synonymous with travel and family reunion, have caused a rush on tests in the United States, where it is difficult in some places to get it. Dr Anthony Fauci, senior White House adviser in the fight against the pandemic, assured that this shortage would soon be resolved.
“One of the problems right now is that (the tests) won’t be fully available to everyone until January,” the epidemiologist told ABC. “But we are addressing the testing issue, and that, very soon, will be fixed,” he continued, also acknowledging his frustration with these supply issues.
Lack of testing
President Joe Biden resolved last week to announce massive purchases of tests by the federal state: 500 million kits, which will be distributed free of charge to whoever requests them. But these tests will not be delivered until January, which fuels strong criticism against the White House, whose strategy to fight Covid-19 has for weeks been mainly focused on vaccination.
US executive spokeswoman Jen Psaki was questioned on December 6, days after Omicron was first detected in the United States, about the difficulty of accessing tests in the country. She just ironed, “We should send all Americans a free test, right?”
L’application L’Express
To follow the analysis and decryption wherever you are
–
Download the app
–
–
Dr Fauci also spoke on the question of the Omicron variant and its dangerousness. Recognizing how Omicron is “extraordinarily contagious”, however, he praised data from studies in South Africa and the United Kingdom which seem to indicate a lower dangerousness of the cases. “When you have such a volume of new infections, it could exceed the real reduction of the dangerousness”, he warned, however, fearing a congestion of the hospital system.
