PANDEMIC UPDATES - Omicron

"How the world is responding to the omicron variant" PBS NewsHour 11/29/2021

Excerpt

SUMMARY:  A growing number of nations imposed travel restrictions Monday to try to slow the spread of the new coronavirus variant, omicron.  The moves came as more cases of the variant were confirmed internationally.  But some warned the travel bans — including those imposed by the U.S.— would not be effective and could even be counterproductive.  White House correspondent Yamiche Alcindor reports.

 

 

"Will the omicron variant require a new vaccine?  An expert weighs in" PBS NewsHour 11/30/2021

Excerpt

SUMMARY:  A growing number of countries are reporting cases of the coronavirus' omicron variant, and many are mandating travel bans.  Meanwhile, advisors to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have now endorsed drug maker Merck's pill to treat COVID-19 in high-risk adults.  All of this comes as public health officials are emphasizing the need for global cooperation.  Nick Schifrin reports.

Dr. Richard Hatchett (Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations):  What we think we're seeing, at least based on what we understand right now, is that this virus, this variant has emerged in countries that have had very limited access to vaccine.

And that means that COVID has continued to circulate at high rates in these countries, which provides it opportunities to mutate.  And so scientists for months have been predicting that the inequity of vaccine distribution was creating the exact kind of circumstances that would promote the emergence of new variants, potentially with the ability to evade our vaccines.

The inequity that has characterized the global response to date has now come home to roost.

 

 

"U.S. to release new rules for foreign travelers amid growing concerns over omicron variant" PBS NewsHour 12/1/2021

Excerpt

SUMMARY:  The first case of the omicron variant of the coronavirus was detected in the U.S. Wednesday — a discovery most health officials had said was inevitable.  A case was confirmed in San Francisco, California, on the eve of new requirements for travelers arriving in the U.S. William Brangham reports.

 

 

"India extends door-to-door vaccine campaign as omicron variant worries officials" PBS NewsHour 12/1/2021

Excerpt

SUMMARY:  The trajectory of omicron infections is being watched closely in India, where the official death toll from COVID-19 is approaching half a million.  The true toll is likely much higher.  Memories are still fresh of the devastation caused by the delta variant last spring.  Special correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro reports on efforts to combat the new variant.

 

 

"Vaccinated Americans reflect on breakthrough infections, ‘infuriating’ anti-vaccine views" PBS NewsHour 12/1/2021

Excerpt

SUMMARY:  Even as Americans are trying to prepare for omicron, many parts of the country are still reeling from the delta variant.  More Americans died of COVID this year than in 2020, despite the wide availability of free vaccines.  The pandemic's lingering, deadly grip has left many frustrated.  We hear from viewers about how the continued spread of the virus has impacted them.

 

 

"Does South Africa’s COVID uptick signal greater threat from omicron?  Here’s what we know" PBS NewsHour 12/2/2021

Excerpt

SUMMARY:  While we don't know whether the omicron variant will lead to more severe cases of COVID-19, its ability to spread is becoming clearer.  Cases in South Africa are spiking at the fastest rate since the pandemic began, and European officials said their modeling found that omicron would likely be responsible for more than half of their cases this winter.  William Brangham looks at the global picture.

 

 

"NIH director on the spread of the omicron variant amid the ongoing pandemic" PBS NewsHour 12/3/2021

Excerpt

SUMMARY:  Maryland, Nebraska and Pennsylvania are the latest states reporting cases of the new omicron variant in the U.S., while it has now spread to more than 40 nations worldwide.  And the CDC director said Friday the omicron variant could become the dominant COVID strain in the U.S. this winter.  Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, joins Judy Woodruff to discuss.