Share at 73 percent: Omikron is now predominant in the USA

The increase came by leaps and bounds: In the USA, Omikron now accounts for almost three quarters of all corona infections. US President Biden therefore wants to announce new measures today. He recently had contact with an infected person himself.

In the USA, the omicron mutation of the coronavirus has quickly become the dominant variant in the country. It is estimated that Omikron accounted for around 73 percent of new corona cases in the past week, according to data from the US health authority CDC.

Omikron has now pushed Delta, the previously predominant variant, to second place. According to the CDC estimates, the delta mutant made up about a quarter of new infections recently. In some states, Omikron is responsible for more than 90 percent of the cases.

In the week up to December 11th, Omikron was estimated to be responsible for only around 12.6 percent of infections in the United States. “This sharp increase is similar to that seen in other countries,” said CDC chief Rochelle Walensky. The US state of Texas also reported a first death related to the Omikron variant. The broadcaster ABC reported, citing health officials.

Biden warns unvaccinated people of “extremely difficult winter”

In view of these developments, US President Joe Biden wants to address the people of the country with a speech today and announce new measures. The main focus here is on support for hospitals – a shutdown of public life was not assumed.

“The Omikron cases will increase in the coming days – even among fully vaccinated people,” warned President Biden. Anyone who has been fully vaccinated or has already received a booster vaccination could still be infected – but will likely have no or only mild symptoms. “If, as an adult, you choose not to be vaccinated, you will have an extremely difficult winter for your family and community,” warned Biden.

Biden was in contact with an infected person

The US President himself had contact on Friday with a White House team member who later tested positive for the corona virus. The person received a positive test result on Monday morning and did not have regular contact with Biden, but spent about 30 minutes in his vicinity on Air Force One on Friday. The symptoms only appeared on Sunday, according to spokeswoman Jen Psaki.

According to his spokeswoman, Biden was last tested negative for the corona virus on Sunday and Monday. A new test is planned for Wednesday. The President will stick to his program for the coming days and not isolate himself as he is fully vaccinated.

The vaccination campaign in the country has recently stalled. So far, 61.5 percent of the approximately 330 million people in the country have been vaccinated twice. Almost 30 percent of them also received a booster vaccination. More than 800,000 people have died in the United States since the pandemic began in connection with a corona infection.