5 Major COVID Developments - Why Omicron’s Decline May Be Very Slow
GoLocalProv News Team
5 Major COVID Developments - Why Omicron’s Decline May Be Very Slow
1) Omicron's Fast Spike, But Slower Retreat
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On November 13, South Africa reported 306 cases.
By December 13, South Africa reported a high of 37,000 in a single day.
On January 13, South Africa declined to just over 5,900 cases.
Since then, cases have declined but are consistently running above 3,500 cases per day.
The same scenario is playing out in the United Kingdom.
In Rhode Island, cases spiked at 6,748 on January 5 and now, two-plus weeks later, cases have dropped to 2,334 on January 20 -- the last date reported by the Rhode Island Department of Health.
Rhode Island entered the Omicron spike with a relatively high level of Delta variant cases -- a month before the state's spike, Rhode Island reported 991 cases on December 5.
According to a new report issued on Thursday by the CDC, two shots provide 57% effective protection after 180 days and two shots plus a booster are 90% effective.
Less than 40% of eligible Americans have been received a booster.
CDC reports, "All unvaccinated persons should start vaccination as soon as possible. All adults who have received mRNA vaccines during their primary COVID-19 vaccination series should receive a third dose when eligible, and eligible persons should stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations."
Governor Dan McKee has signed Executive Order 22-07 to loosen nursing home staffing requirements.
McKee’s office issued the following statement:
Nursing home facilities across Rhode Island, and the country, are facing unprecedented staffing challenges and financial instabilities exacerbated by COVID-19 – challenges that could not have been foreseen to this degree. The temporary flexibility provided by this Executive Order will allow nursing home facilities additional time to hire staff while continuing to provide the appropriate level of care to residents.
The Order also helps to ensure that nursing home facilities are not put in the position of reducing the number of residents in their facility to comply with the minimum staffing ratio, which would result in important health care resources being taken offline from the continuum of care needed to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the residents.
The safety and well-being of patients and residents in our health care and long-term care facilities continues to be a top priority and the Administration looks forward to continuing to engage with stakeholders as we work to reach a permanent staffing solution that benefits nursing home workers, residents and families.
4) State Has Provided Tens of Thousands of Home Tests to Cities and Towns
Cities and towns across Rhode Island are now distributing COVID home test kits. As an example, East Providence is distributing tests Saturday, January 22 at Riverside Middle School on 179 Forbes Street from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM.
Check your city or town's website for details.
For the first time in more than two weeks, Rhode Island is not the most infected state in the United States. Rhode Island has fallen to third behind Wisconsin and Hawaii.
Rhode Island is however the only northeastern state ranked in the top 15 states for infection.