DESPITE the Omicron variant having recorded the highest reported numbers of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations during the pandemic, disease severity indicators, including length of stay, ICU admission, and deaths as a result of the strain were lower than during previous pandemic peaks.
According to a weekly morbidity and mortality report by the American Center for Disease Control (CDC) that analyzed trends in Disease Severity and Health Care Utilization During the Early Omicron Variant Period between the December 2020–January 2022 period, the majority of the cases were mild compared to previous peaks.
“Although disease severity appears lower with the Omicron variant, the high volume of hospitalizations can strain local health care systems and the average daily number of deaths remains substantial. This underscores the importance of national emergency preparedness, specifically, hospital surge capacity and the ability to adequately staff local health care systems. In addition, being up to date on vaccinations and following other recommended prevention strategies are critical to preventing infections, severe illness, or death from COVID-19,” read part of the report.
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