With the omicron variant surging throughout the U.S., many experts warn that a single-layer cloth mask is not enough protection. Instead, they recommend an upgrade: layering wardrobe masks with surgical masks or wearing an N95 or KN95 respirator.
Category: Public Health
Omicron surge will end as rapidly as it started, physician leaders predict
In line with national forecasts, health systems on opposite sides of the country — NewYork-Presbyterian and Phoenix-based Banner Health — both anticipate the omicron-driven COVID-19 surge to peak at some point this month.
US COVID-19 hospitalizations at record high
COVID-19 hospitalizations have surpassed levels seen during last winter’s surge and are now at an all-time high, HHS data shows.
Fire Closes Hospital and Displaces Staff as Colorado Battles Omicron
The most destructive fire in state history has knocked a hospital out of service and left health care workers homeless with omicron driving new covid hospitalizations.
Where people go wrong with ‘incidental’ COVID-19 hospitalizations
The current state of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. in many ways differs from earlier surges, with breakthrough infections now a norm and not the exception.
Omicron may be more mild, but not for hospitals — here’s why
As cases and hospitalizations rapidly rise nationwide, healthcare workers across 11 states told The Atlantic how and why this surge is pushing their hospitals to the brink.
Doubling pace of boosters could prevent 41,000 deaths, report finds
Ramping up COVID-19 booster administration could save thousands of lives and prevent hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations over the next four months, according to a Jan.7 analysis from the Commonwealth Fund.
8 states see ‘very high flu activity’ & 7 other CDC takeaways
Eight states recorded very high flu activity for the week of Jan. 1, the highest level as categorized by the CDC, according to the agency’s most recent FluView report.
Worst of omicron yet to come for Midwest + 4 more forecasts to know
Some East Coast states may see new omicron cases peak this week, but the Midwest is still facing the thick of a surge, former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, MD, said Jan. 9 on CBS’ “Face the Nation.”
US COVID-19 hospitalizations compared to last winter’s peak — where are we right now?
U.S. COVID-19 hospitalizations are at 96 percent of last winter’s peak, according to data tracked by The New York Times.
