Schematic diagram of the comparison between the omicron variant and the delta variant of the new coronavirus. (Image source: Adobe stock and DAVID SILVERMAN/GETTY IMAGES)
[Look at China News on December 16, 2021](Look at Chinese reporter Cheng Wen compilation/comprehensive report) Infection in the United StatesCOVID-19 virusCauseddieThe number has exceeded 800,000 cases as of December 14. This once unimaginable number is now regarded as a double tragedy, because this yearvaccineIn the case of widespread use, there are more than 30,000 deaths more than last year when there was no vaccine. If the new variant OmicronSuperimpose Delta, Will make the prospects more worrying.
Vaccines failed to contain the rise in deaths
The death toll from the new crown compiled by Johns Hopkins University as of Tuesday (December 14) shows that there are approximately 5.3 million people worldwide. The United States is the country with the highest number of reported deaths among all countries, crossing the threshold of 800,000.
The new coronavirus prediction model closely followed by the University of Washington predicts that by March 1 next year, the number of new crown deaths in the United States will exceed 880,000.
According to the Associated Press, US President Biden on Tuesday (December 14) pointed out that this was a “tragic milestone.” He once again called on Americans who have not yet been vaccinated to vaccinate themselves and their children, and urged those who have been vaccinated to continue to receive booster shots.
But what puzzles many people, including health experts, is that after the advent and popularization of the vaccine, the increase in deaths from new coronavirus infections has not been curbed.
The new crown vaccine came out in mid-December 2020 and will be available to all adults in mid-April this year.
In 2020, when people generally do not understand the new crown virus, the number of new crown deaths in the United States for the whole year is 385,343. This year, there are about 30,000 more cases than last year when there is half a month before the end of the year.
Another set of data shows that when the new crown vaccine was first launched, that is, in mid-December 2020, the death toll in the United States was about 300,000. By mid-June this year, the death toll reached 600,000, and it reached 700,000 on October 1. It reached 800,000 on the 14th.
Chris Kris, an epidemiologist at the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Chris Beyrer recalled that in March or April 2020, the worst-case scenario in the United States was estimated to be 240,000 deaths.
He told the Associated Press: “I saw that number. I think it’s incredible-240,000 Americans have died? And we have now exceeded three times that number. I think it’s fair to say that we have not yet come out. Dilemma.”
Currently, approximately 200 million Americans have been fully vaccinated, accounting for more than 60% of the American population. Public health scientists believe this is still below the conditions needed to be able to control the virus.
The spread of “Omi Keron” doubled in two days
The “Delta” variant of the new crown virus that appeared in the first half of 2021 is highly contagious, causing the number of infections and hospitalizations to rise again, and the new variant of “omicron” that appeared recently has quickly established itself globally Up the heel.
According to reports, confirmed cases of Omicron have been detected in more than 75 countries worldwide. In the United States, Omicron variants have been detected in 36 states.
The new variant Omicron remains a mystery in many respects. South Africa, which first reported the discovery of Omicron, said that Omicron may cause much lighter infections than Delta, but Omicron has done a better job of evading vaccines.
Now some experts say that Omicron may be underestimated, because Omicron is developing so fast that the monitoring can’t keep up.
Rochelle, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Rochelle Walensky said on Wednesday (December 15) that early data showed that Omicron is more communicable than Delta, doubling time in about two days.
In the UK, Omicron cases will double every two to three days, and it is expected that Omicron will soon replace Delta as the main virus-causing strain in the UK.
Bronwyn, director of pathogen genome surveillance at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Harvard Broad Institute. Bronwyn MacInnis stated that “the UK’s data is very shocking at this point”, which foreshadows what will happen in the United States.
McGinnis warned: “What we don’t know about this variant virus far exceeds what we know, including its severity.”
McGinnis said that given the rapid spread of Omicron, there will undoubtedly be cases of severe infection.
Jacobs, who led a research collaboration to monitor new coronavirus variants for Harvard Medical School. Dr. Jacob Lemieux and other experts said at a press conference on Tuesday (14th) that the most likely scenario is that the United States has begun to see a surge in Omicron, and the spread of this latest variant of the new coronavirus has exceeded Has improved the ability of the United States to track it.
The superposition of Omi Keron and Delta makes the situation more complicated
At the same time, the Delta strain is still soaring in many parts of the United States, with hot spots in New England and the upper Midwest. The five states with the highest rolling average number of cases per 100,000 two weeks are New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Michigan, Minnesota and Vermont.
Jacob. Dr. Lemieux said: “Our delta surge is still continuing, and it is actually accelerating. The most important thing is that we will increase the surge of omicron. This is worrying because our hospital is already overcrowded. The staff is exhausted. .”
He said that the surge in new crown infection cases caused by the “Omicron wave superimposed on the Delta wave” may overwhelm the limited capacity of the hospital.
Dr. Lemieux believes that the tools that can fight Omicron seem to be diminished. He pointed out that in laboratory tests, some monoclonal antibody treatments were not effective against Omicron, and the protection provided by vaccines was also reduced.
However, health officials in the United States continue to emphasize that the booster injection will increase the prevention of Omicron.
Source: Look at China
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