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West Michigan health officials brace for Omicron variant

Here's a computer generated image of the omicron variant of the coronavirus — also known as B.1.1.529. Reported in South Africa on Nov. 24, this variant has a large number of mutations, some of which are concerning.
Uma Shankar sharma
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Here's a computer generated image of the omicron variant of the coronavirus — also known as B.1.1.529. Reported in South Africa on Nov. 24, this variant has a large number of mutations, some of which are concerning.

With most area hospitals full, silver lining may be the variant's severity.

With most West Michigan hospitals at full capacity due to a fourth surge of COVID-19, health officials are worried that the fast spreading Omicron variant could make things worse.

The latest data according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services shows a continuing and worrisome trend in the state, as Michigan reports as of Monday, December 6th, there have been 18,443 new cases of COVID-19 and 277 virus-related deaths since Friday -- an average of 9,221.5 cases over a two-day period.

The fourth surge has wreaked havoc on local hospitals like Spectrum Butterworth and Mercy Health Muskegon, who both report a record number of coronavirus patients over the past two weeks, as health officials are growing increasingly concerned over the Omicron variant which health officials say, inevitably will make its way to West Michigan.

Dr. James Grant is Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Chief Medical Officer. He says, there is a silver lining to the Omicron variant…

“What we are seeing so far, is we are seeing a lot of easy spread of Omicron, but we are not seeing it as severe as some of the other mutations that we are seeing,” Grant said. “So, if we can nip this in the bud, great.”

He says, to nip it in the bud, not only do people need to get to get their first two vaccinations, but also…

“You got to get that third shot now,” Grand said. “This is how we are going to beat it. This is how we beat Polio, and Rubella, and other viruses, and this is how we are going to beat COVID and get back to life as we once knew it.”

On Sunday, Dr. Anthony Fauci, chief adviser to the White House said that he was “encouraged” that the severity of the Omicron variant is not as strong as the original or the Delta Variant. As of Monday, the variant had been detected in 14 states.

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