Omicron: 7 ways you can avoid getting infected by the variant
More under this adThe Omicron variant is spreading at lightning speed, but you can protect yourself from infection by doing these seven things.
As living in a COVID-infected world has become the new normal, public sentiment and effort towards protecting themselves and others have slowly been declining. However, the threat of a new super mutant virus has urged governments to once again emphasise the sanitary precautions that should be followed to prevent infection.
Discover our latest podcast
How to avoid infection
In a recent press briefing conducted by the White House COVID-19 Response Team and Public Health Officials, infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci reiterated measures that every individual should take if they want to be spared by the new and reportedly more infectious variant, Omicron. These steps include:
More under this adMore under this ad- Getting vaccinated if you haven’t already done so
- Getting your booster vaccine if you're eligible
- Wearing face masks
- Staying away from crowded places and choosing to gather in outdoor spaces rather than indoors
- Maintaining social distancing
- Regularly washing your hands
- Testing for COVID and isolating when appropriate
Dr. Fauci concluded by saying:
These things we have been doing, we need to keep doing them.
Omicron in the US
Latest statistics reveal that the Omicron variant has already been reported in 24 different countries—the latest to be affected is the United States. The first case of Omicron was detected in California on Wednesday (1 December).
More under this adMore under this adAccording to The New York Times, the patient flew from South Africa to California on the 22 November and was fully vaccinated. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said in a statement:
The California and San Francisco Departments of Public Health have confirmed that a recent case of COVID-19 among an individual in California was caused by the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529).More under this adMore under this ad
The individual had mild symptoms that are improving, is self-quarantining and has been since testing positive. All close contacts have been contacted and have tested negative.