DELAWARE- Omicron is not in the United States yet but the first state’s health experts are preparing for when it arrives.
Delaware Division of Public Health Director Dr. Karyl Rattay says the new variant could provide the same challenges as Delta.
"Vaccination was not as strong in protecting or preventing infection against Delta," Dr. Rattay said. "We expect that we may see the same thing with Omicron but nonetheless it still provides protection but a boosted protection is even better yet."
So far, Delaware has over 143,000 people with a booster or additional dose which is 15 percent of the population. Forty-nine percent of people 65 and over have received the extra shots.
Meanwhile, hospitals are seeing increased numbers of COVID-19 patients. According to the latest data, hospitalizations have gone from 159 to 235 since Thanksgiving.
Infectious Disease Physician Dr. Bill Chasanov says Beebe hospital is seeing the same bump up in patients.
"Beebe just like every hospital system has seen that bump as well. So, from a couple weeks ago to a week ago to now we have an increase of numbers.
As the pandemic continues there are growing frustrations, with one of the main ones being masks in schools. During public comment at the Indian River School District Board of Education meeting last night, several people spoke about how masks are affecting children.
"Convince me otherwise that masking and mandates haven’t done emotional and educational harm to our children. Our children are hurting and you have a duty of care."
But Dr. Rattay says the mandate is nowhere near going away with only 13 percent of kids ages 5 to 11 getting a vaccine.
"While we have so many students in schools unvaccinated and increasing numbers of cases in the population that has by far the highest case rates right now, you know it’s hard to see really soon us making a change," Dr. Rattay said.
