Deaths rise, Omicron variant raises concerns and calls for vaccinations

Nov. 30—As the holiday season ramps up, COVID-19 positive cases are still a concern for medical and healthcare officials.

On Monday, Nov. 27, 195 deaths related to the virus were reported — an increase of five individuals since a previous report on Nov. 23.

In a social media post released on Monday, the health department reported 207 new positive results for the virus in Madison County. This number does not include data from Thursday, Nov. 25 (Thanksgiving Day) or Friday.

Since the pandemic arrived in 2020, 16,791 positive cases of the virus have been confirmed.

The incident rate has decreased from The Register's last report on Nov. 23. On that date, the rate was 45 cases per 100,000 population. As of Monday, that number has decreased by five cases for a rate of 40.9 cases per 100,000 population, per day.

The vaccination rate has increased by 1% and is now at 48%. Four unvaccinated individuals are receiving treatment for the virus at Baptist Health in Richmond according to a graphic updated on Monday.

These numbers come just days following the World Health Organization's (WHO) announcement about a new virus variant dubbed Omicron.

On Nov. 26 2021, WHO designated the variant B.1.1.529 a variant of concern, named Omicron, on the advice of WHO's Technical Advisory Group on Virus Evolution (TAG-VE). This decision was based on the evidence presented to the TAG-VE that Omicron has several mutations that may have an impact on how it behaves, for example, on how easily it spreads or the severity of illness it causes, according to the website.

According to an AP News article, The World Health Organization warned Monday the global risk from the omicron variant is "very high" based on the early evidence, saying the mutated coronavirus could lead to surges with "severe consequences."

The assessment from the U.N. health agency, contained in a technical paper issued to member states, amounted to WHO's strongest, most explicit warning yet about the new version that was first identified days ago by researchers in South Africa.

It came as a widening circle of countries around the world reported cases of the variant and moved to slam their doors in an act-now-ask-questions-later approach while scientists race to figure out just how dangerous the mutant version might be.

Researchers in South Africa and around the world are conducting studies to better understand many aspects of Omicron and will continue to share the findings of these studies as they become available.

It is not yet clear whether Omicron is more transmissible (e.g., more easily spread from person to person) compared to other variants, including Delta. The number of people testing positive has risen in areas of South Africa affected by this variant, but epidemiologic studies are underway to understand if it is because of Omicron or other factors.

According to the same AP News article, U.S. President Joe Biden called the omicron variant a cause for concern but "not a cause for panic."

He said he is not considering any widespread U.S. lockdown and instead urged mask-wearing and vaccinations, even as a federal judge blocked his administration from enforcing a requirement that thousands of health care workers in 10 states get the shot.

The WHO stressed that while scientists are hunting evidence to better understand this variant, countries should accelerate vaccinations as quickly as possible. Scientists have long warned the virus will keep finding new ways to exploit weaknesses in the world's vaccination drive, and its discovery in Africa occurred in a continent where under 7% of the population is vaccinated.

Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, reacted to the potential threat by urging everyone 18 and older to get booster shots, because "strong immunity will likely prevent serious illness." Earlier this month, the U.S. opened boosters to all adults but recommended them only for those 50 and older or people in long-term care.

To find a vaccine, visit vaccines.gov to find a vaccine near you.