How tin I support myself from the omicron variant? (AP Illustration/Peter Hamlin) (Ap Illustration/Peter Hamlin)

How tin I support myself from the caller omicron variant?

The aforesaid mode you defender against COVID-19 caused by immoderate different variant: Get vaccinated if you haven’t yet, get a booster if you’re eligible and measurement up different precautions you whitethorn person relaxed, similar wearing a disguise and avoiding crowds.

For each the attention omicron is getting, the overwhelming origin of infections and deaths successful galore places remains the extra-contagious delta variant.

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“Delta is the existent hazard close now. Omicron is an uncertain threat,” Dr. Francis Collins, manager of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, told The Associated Press. Regardless of the coronavirus type, Collins said "we bash cognize what to do.”

It volition instrumentality a fewer weeks to larn cardinal aspects astir this latest variant, including whether it's much contagious, causes much terrible unwellness oregon evades immunity -- and if so, however by much.

In the meantime, “what we request to bash is adhd much layers of protection,” says Dr. Julie Vaishampayan of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. That's particularly important with vacation question and gatherings astir the corner.

A booster changeable is 1 of those layers. The added dose triggers a large leap successful virus-fighting antibodies. Even if the antibodies don't beryllium rather arsenic effectual against omicron arsenic they are against different variants, simply having much of them mightiness compensate -- successful summation to bolstering extortion against delta.

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In summation to masking, avoiding crowds and improving ventilation, investigating is different protective step. That’s recommended for anyone who has COVID-19 symptoms oregon was perchance exposed to the virus. But it besides could assistance guarantee information earlier vacation gatherings, adjacent if everyone attending has been vaccinated, Vaishampayan says.

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The AP is answering your questions astir the coronavirus successful this series. Submit them at: FactCheck@AP.org. Read much here:

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Why can’t immoderate COVID-19 vaccinated radical question to the US?

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Can at-home COVID-19 tests marque vacation gatherings safer?

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