As the U.S. nears a national peak in the surge of the omicron variant, many states are already seeing a decline in COVID-19 cases. Mayo Clinic's Predictive Analytics Task Force has been tracking COVID-19 cases in the U.S. since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this peak, Mayo experts emphasize that the country is only halfway through the surge.
"I think it's important to recognize the omicron surge is not over. There are going to be thousands of infections and hospitalizations on the way back down, too," says Dr. Curtis Storlie, a Mayo Clinic data scientist who is on the task force. "So the messaging remains the same. Get boosted if you're eligible. People who've received booster doses of the current vaccine maintain a high level of protection against omicron, particularly against severe illness and hospitalization. Wear a mask in public areas, avoid crowded spaces, get tested if you have symptoms, follow quarantine guidance if you do become infected."
Like many hospitals across the country, Mayo Clinic continues to operate at nearly full capacity. Many of its patients have COVID-19. This has strained staff and resources, and Mayo experts say now is not the time to relax and consider the surge to be over.
"If we take how busy our hospital is now in terms of hospitalized patients with COVID, we may be at or close to a peak. But we've got as many patients in the hospital this week as we did this time last week. So this is not the time for letting our guard down," says Dr. Conor Loftus, chair of Mayo Clinic's outpatient practice.
For the safety of its patients, staff and visitors, Mayo Clinic has strict masking policies in place. Anyone shown without a mask was recorded prior to COVID-19 or recorded in an area not designated for patient care, where social distancing and other safety protocols were followed.
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