This you must do if you test positive for covid-19 before the holidays 1:34
(CNN) -
With the potentially more transmissible omicron variant now the most widely detected in the US, hospitals brace for new cases of COVID-19 as millions of Americans grapple with the infection.
And for the second year in a row, many doctors and nurses on the front lines of the pandemic will treat these patients over the Christmas holidays.
Haleigh Seizys, a covid-19 ICU nurse at Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, told CNN's Ana Cabrera on Wednesday that staff are "very concerned about what's to come after the holidays," and urged people to get vaccinated to protect themselves and others against serious disease.
"On a day-to-day basis, things are tough," Seizys said.
"I have a patient who is not well. It takes a lot of time and effort from several different people to try to help these patients get better.
" I am really exhausted, "she said, although she remains motivated to" help whoever I can. "
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His co-workers are trying to "bond over" with the increase in hospitalizations.
She said those who are against mask mandates, including elected leaders, should see what she and others do on a daily basis.
"I really wish they could come and follow me for an hour so they could see how much their feet hurt, and see how many people are trying to hold back tears from day to day, and that they can see the trauma these patients are going through. "Seizys said.
"These people have a very traumatic death, and it is very hard to watch."
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Nearly 70,000 Americans were hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Wednesday, according to data from the Department of Health and Human Services, up from about 45,000 in early November.
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In the last week, the United States registered an average of 1,324 daily deaths from covid-19, 11% more than the previous week, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
Since both the delta and omicron variants are in circulation, it is more difficult to determine which of them is getting sicker.
According to Dr. Scott Gottlieb, former US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner and current member of Pfizer's board of directors, more research is needed on the characteristics of hospitalizations. , including length of stay.
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"We have to watch it very closely," Gottlieb told CNBC on Wednesday, noting that it is not clear if the spike is due to the delta or if "it is an early indicator of the increase in omicron infections that end up in the hospital."
Early tests show that increased antibody levels developed by new vaccinations or booster doses can help protect people against a potentially more transmissible variant of omicron.
Researchers are still determining whether there is a lower chance of severe disease with omicron than with delta or earlier variants.
The first omicron death in the US was reported in Texas, as an unvaccinated man in his 50s who had previously had COVID-19 succumbed to a new infection.
And cases in many parts of the country continue to rise, as the variant was detected in all 50 states.
New York state eclipsed its previous record for daily cases five times in less than a week, authorities reported Wednesday.
Governor Kathy Hochul noted that while the hospitalization rate is "increasing," the state's rate is still only two-thirds of what it was in December last year.
"We are not panicking. We have the resources we need," Hochul said.
New vaccination and reinforcement obligations
After the city hit another record number of cases, Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser said proof of vaccination will be required for those 12 and older to enter restaurants, gyms and other hangouts.
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"Vaccines are working, and they are working well to keep people out of the hospital and to prevent people from dying from covid-19. So we don't need those kinds of closures, but we do need more people to get vaccinated and reinforced. "Bowser said at a news conference Wednesday.
Officials said grocery stores, retail stores and museums will not be required to check the vaccine test, and religious institutions are exempt.
Eligible students in DC schools are also required to get vaccinated by March 1.
Many colleges are adjusting spring semesters by transitioning to online learning temporarily, and others are requiring booster doses for vaccinated students and staff.
Duke University this week joined the list of schools that recently announced the requirement for booster shots, including Syracuse, Notre Dame, Michigan State, Hofstra and NYU.
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"These measures will help limit a possible outbreak on our campus and in our community, and protect those most vulnerable to this virus," said a Duke statement.
In California, health care workers, who are already under the obligation to get vaccinated, will be required to receive a booster shot, and students will be tested before returning to school in January, Governor Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday. .
Covid-19 testing crisis arrives
With the increase in omicron cases, and the approach of Christmas and the New Year, the demand for covid-19 tests far exceeds the current supply and causes long lines throughout the country, as well as the risk of not being detect positive cases.
The Biden administration plans to supply 500 million new tests by next month, although it will take time to fulfill orders and details are still being worked out, a senior government official told CNN.
"To be clear, we are not sending a test to every home in the country," White House press secretary Jen Psaki said during a news conference.
"We are providing an opportunity, another opportunity or ability for people ... to go to a website and request a test if their preference is to receive that test at home. Not everyone will. But we want people who you want to do that, you want to take the test, you want to request the test that way, you have that possibility of doing it. "
CVS Health and Walgreens, the two largest pharmaceutical chains in the US, announced that they are limiting the number of covid-19 kits that customers can buy at home due to significant demand.
Other treatments on the horizon
Officials and health experts highlighted Wednesday's FDA clearance of the first pill to treat COVID-19 as another important tool.
Pfizer's Paxlovid "should be started as soon as possible after the covid-19 diagnosis and within five days of the onset of symptoms," according to an FDA statement.
Paxlovid, which combines two antiviral drugs, must be prescribed by a doctor and administered as three pills twice a day for five days.
The White House purchased 10 million antiviral treatments from Pfizer, of which 265,000 will be available in January and "monthly pill totals will increase throughout the year and the 10 million treatments will be delivered by the end of the summer," according to the coordinator. of the Covid-19 response, Jeff Zients.
Paxlovid is not used for prevention before or after exposure to COVID-19 and "is not a substitute for vaccination in people for whom vaccination against COVID-19 and a booster dose is recommended," according to the FDA.
The FDA also approved the emergency use Thursday of another antiviral pill, Merck's molnupiravir.
Advisers to the agency had previously recommended its clearance in a tight vote.
CNN's Deidre McPhillips, Jamie Gumbrecht, Amanda Sealy, Aya Elamroussi, DJ Judd, Laura Ly, Sam Feist, Kristina Sgueglia, Stella Chan, Sarah Fortinsky, Adrienne Winston, and Daniel Maraccini contributed to this report.
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