Study: Researchers foretell extremity of omicron question is near

Most Floridians volition perchance person been infected with COVID-19 by the clip the omicron question ends, according to a caller study from the University of Florida.

Researchers besides present foretell the omicron variant question volition highest this month. The archetypal prediction for February changed aft the caller surge of cases.

“Probably 70 to 80% of the authorities volition either get infected successful this question oregon person been infected successful a anterior wave,” Ira Longini, a University of Florida prof and 1 of the researchers who worked connected the report, told WESH successful Orlando.

Florida’s omicron question acceptable a caller all-time regular lawsuit grounds with 76,887 caller affirmative cases connected Thursday, according to the CDC. Another 69,914 cases were added Friday. Positive cases are expected to grow.

UF researchers expect reported cases “to highest successful the archetypal fractional of January.”

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Despite the accrued corruption rate, the UF researchers said the bully quality is preliminary information suggest omicron is causing little terrible illness, particularly among the vaccinated. “We estimation that omicron volition origin 1/3 arsenic galore deaths arsenic were caused by delta,” the survey said.

Medical experts proceed to accent the value of vaccinations and boosters. The UF researchers said the information suggest boosters whitethorn “dramatically summation extortion against illness caused by omicron infections.”

“Our vaccines, particularly erstwhile combined with boosters, person remained highly effectual astatine keeping radical retired of the infirmary and it is redeeming their lives,” said U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy.

The latest information from the CDC shows the omicron variant makes up 95% of coronavirus cases nationwide portion delta lone 5%.

“Unfortunately, this is the effect of an bonzer transmissible variant, the omicron variant,” Murthy said.

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The Florida Surgeon General present advises high-value testing, recommending COVID investigating absorption connected radical with symptoms oregon those astatine greater risk.

Murthy disagreed with that strategy.

“Limiting investigating to conscionable those who are symptomatic is not wholly accordant with the subject we learned implicit the past respective months,” Murthy said.

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About the Authors:

This autochthonal of the Big Apple joined the News4Jax squad successful July 2021.

A Jacksonville autochthonal and arrogant University of North Florida alum, Francine Frazier has been with News4Jax since 2014 aft spending 9 years astatine The Florida Times-Union.