Shreveport infectious disease specialist reacts to news of omicron variant in the US

Mario Villafuerte
·2 min read

The omicron variant of the coronavirus has not yet been detected in Northern Louisiana.

However, it is no longer outside of our domestic borders. On Tuesday, multiple media outlets reported that it had been detected in Northern California.

"Yep, no surprise", said Dr. John Vanchiere, Infectious Disease Specialist LSU Health, Shreveport.

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Vanchiere, also Director of the COVID-19 Strike Team of LSU Health, Shreveport, that has been tasked to administer Pfizer vaccinations and virus testing, cautioned, it is too soon to know how virulent Omicron will be. Or how effective the current vaccines will be against severe infections.

Dr. John Vanchiere (left) administers a vaccine to his daughter Maggie on November 8, 2021.
Dr. John Vanchiere (left) administers a vaccine to his daughter Maggie on November 8, 2021.

"The definitive 'are we protected' is not known yet, and won't be for a couple of weeks. Based on the sequencing and what we know about the protection of the vaccine, we expect there will be some protection. But we don't how much protection," said Vanchiere.

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The delta variant is still the dominant strain in the state. According to reporting by the Louisiana Department of Health on Wednesday, COVID-19 cases increased by 943 with seven new deaths.

The total number of reported cases in the state since the pandemic started sits at 771,837 and the death toll is 14,808. COVID-19 hospitalizations totaled 209, down one from Tuesday and 30 of those patients were on ventilators, down by one from the day before.

LDH reports 82% of Louisiana residents are not fully vaccinated. That accounts for 71% of deaths from Nov. 18 to Nov. 24. Those not fully vaccinated also accounted for 85% of current COVID hospitalizations.

"Anytime you are in a public location wear a mask, this reduces the risk for Covid, Flu and other respiratory viruses that are circulating now," urges Vanchiere.

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He also points out that testing for the virus should be an important precautionary measure, as well as maintain habits such as hand washing and social distancing.

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This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Omicron COVID-19 variant in the US, Shreveport doctor reacts