Omicron COVID variant: Concerning but are symptoms milder? What Seacoast doctors say

With COVID-19 cases surging, Seacoast hospitals are returning to visitor restrictions and the omicron variant has medical officials on high alert.

On Tuesday, New Hampshire reported a record 392 hospitalizations and 21 deaths.

Dr. Artemio Mendoza, an infectious disease specialist at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in Dover, said much is still unknown about the omicron variant, which is classified by the World Health Organization as a "variant of concern."

"Without more genetic typing, there are too many questions," Mendoza said. "I don't think there are cases here yet, but we have open borders, so it is probably a matter of time before we see cases. ... It is not surprising, and we may yet go through the Greek alphabet before this is over because here we are again. It is very discouraging."

"It is being called a variant of concern," said Dr. David Itkin, an infectious disease expert at Portsmouth Regional Hospital. "We don't know a lot, but we do know it has the potential to cause another surge, which it is already doing in South Africa. It looks to be much more transmissible than the delta variant, so outbreaks can be multifaceted, with international ramifications. So far no deaths have been associated with this, so it might be milder in presentation. The cases so far appear to be mild, and in younger populations. Or we might attribute that to the numbers of people who are already vaccinated."

Itkin's comments about omicron symptoms possibly being milder align with statements from Dr. Unben Pillay, a general practitioner in Gauteng province in South Africa, as reported by the Associated Press.

“We’ve seen a sharp increase in cases for the past 10 days. So far they have mostly been very mild cases, with patients having flu-like symptoms: dry coughs, fever, night sweats, a lot of body pains,” Pillay said. Gauteng is where 81% of the new cases have been reported, according to the AP report.

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Mendoza noted omicron is highly mutated.

"The protein where antibodies bind is very much mutated," Mendoza said. "Also, the protein that is the entry point of the virus has changed so that may mean this is much more transmissible. In South Africa, quickly, in the past few days, omicron has accounted for more than a third of their total cases. In a few days, it is becoming the dominant virus."

Itkin said omicron could become the dominant variant, because of the mutations.

"There are some 50 odd mutations in this new variant," he said. "About 30 to 32 of them seem to be related to the spike protein and there are at least another 26 that we have never seen before."

Mendoza said it is now a wait-and-see situation, as the medical community watches and learns more about the new variant.

Both doctors stressed the importance of everyone getting vaccinated, and getting a booster shot if you are eligible.

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"It is not clear how omicron is affected by the vaccines at this point," Itkin said. "But while it might not offer complete protection, I believe it will prevent severe cases, as it does with the delta and the original strain. We need to get away from the black and white, is it effective or not? I think we need to look at the shades of gray. It is better than not being vaccinated? Yes. It can blunt the severity of the virus."

Jake Leon, spokesperson for the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, said, “We take all new variants of concern seriously, as they can potentially lead to increased community transmission and more cases of COVID-19."

Leon said state health officials are working with "federal public health partners to monitor the spread of the omicron variant and learn more about the potential impact in our communities."

Leon said people who are traveling internationally should review CDC travel recommendations for any changes in testing or quarantining requirements.

"Prevention strategies continue to be our best tool against any variant of COVID-19, which include vaccination for anyone 5 and older, booster doses for those who are eligible, mask wearing in public indoor settings, physical distancing, and frequent hand-washing," Leon said.

Hospitals reacting to COVID surges we are already seeing

Exeter Hospital is currently allowing no visitors at all, except for very specific exceptions.

"It's not unexpected, considering the rising numbers we are seeing," said Deb Vasapolli, spokesperson. "We are back to seeing high numbers of COVID patients, so the decision is being made for the safety of everyone."

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Vasapolli said visitors are allowed only in the family center where one support person is being allowed.

"Likewise, pediatrics, end of life care and the care of a person with a mental health or other disability will be allowed a support person on a case by case basis," Vasapolli said. "The same policy applies in the emergency department. We continue to stress the need to get vaccinated and of course masking and other precautions should continue."

Ryan Lawrence, spokesperson for HCA Healthcare, said at this time the visitation policy for Frisbie Memorial Hospital of Rochester and Portsmouth Regional Hospital remains unchanged with one adult visitor allowed per patient (including ER patients).

"Circumstances may allow for specific exceptions to any visitation restrictions," Lawrence said. "Those circumstances include religious visitation as well as a designated support person for a patient with a disability to provide assistance with communication or other necessary components of the patient's treatment. All three of our hospitals continue to monitor COVID-19 community spread and hospitalizations, and will make any visitation policy updates as needed."

Visitor policies can be found on the website of each of the three HCA facilities.

Wentworth-Douglass Hospital never totally relaxed its visitor policy since the beginning of the first COVID surge, said spokesperson Adam Bagni.

"We’ve had visitor restrictions in place throughout the pandemic," Bagni said. "The only change we’ve made recently is that we may ask Emergency Department visitors to wait in their vehicle until the patient they are accompanying is placed in a room. This is only in effect when ED volume is high. Support persons (i.e. those accompanying those with special needs or minors) remain permitted to wait with the patient."

York Hospital updated its visitor guidelines on Aug. 16.

Visitation is restricted at all York Hospital facilities, said Jean Kolak, spokesperson.

There may be exceptions, including end of life care, for pediatric patients, and other situations.

Kolak said patients who are COVID positive or being ruled out may not have a visitor.

"Visitor/support persons will be screened for COVID-19 by answering health questions prior to entrance," said Kolak. "A hospital mask will be provided. If there is a positive answer to any health question, or if visibly symptomatic, the visitor/support person will not be allowed to enter."

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Omicron COVID variant: What Seacoast NH doctors are saying