Omicron Variant: What You Need to Know
1/18/2022
Cases of COVID-19 are soaring due to the rapidly spreading Omicron variant. Dr. Richard Pinon, of Eastern New Mexico Medical Group Ponderosa Medical Associates, shares what you need to know about the virus.
Like other viruses, SARS-CoV2 evolves over time. Omicron appears to replicate more easily than the original COVID virus and the Delta variant. Omicron moves quickly from person to person, primarily increasing infections and hospitalizations and places an excess burden on the healthcare system.
“Vaccination remains the best way to reduce the severity of the disease and has been shown to reduce COVID-19 associated hospitalizations and death even in the context of variants like Omicron,” said Dr. Pinon. “In addition to the direct reduction in COVID-19 associated morbidity and mortality, vaccination (with any of the three vaccines authorized) in the United States, has been associated with lower non-COVID-19 mortality rates, supporting evidence that COVID-19 vaccination does not increase the risk of death.”
Dr. Pinon advises his family, friends and patients to get fully vaccinated including a booster and follow proven practices for reducing the spread of infection: frequent hand-washing, remaining home when you are sick and wearing a mask in crowded spaces. Using an N95 or surgical mask has been found to be more effective than cloth masks.
The CDC recommends all children, five (5) and older, be vaccinated and COVID-19 booster shots for individuals 12 and older, five months after the completion of the initial series. For more information on getting your vaccination or booster please go to https://cv.nmhealth.org/covid-vaccine/.
For more information or to make an appointment with a primary care provider please go to https://www.easternnewmexicomedicalgroup.com/family-medicine-care.
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