"The difference with this surge is because this is so infectious and everyone is getting sick, everyone is calling out sick," McDeavitt said. Over the past week, Parklands COVID-related hospital admissions have nearly doubled with most of the patients being unvaccinated. ; IVY Network. https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/s0328-covid-19-boosters.html (Accessed March 26, 2023). Here's what our leaders and doctors know: Omicron has been labeled a "variant of concern" by the World Health Organization. The death toll is 5,469. Although a bivalent mRNA dose was recommended on September 1, 2022, for all persons who had completed a primary COVID-19 vaccination series, bivalent vaccination coverage among adults aged 18 years is 20%, and most adults have only received monovalent mRNA vaccines (1,5). In this case-control analysis, the effectiveness of 24 monovalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccine doses was evaluated against COVID-19associated invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) and in-hospital death among immunocompetent adults aged 18 years during February 1, 2022January 31, 2023. ACROSS TEXAS The omicron variant has overtaken the delta coronavirus variant, including in Region 6 Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and In Denton County, the average number of new daily cases in for the last two weeks is 154. BURLINGTON, VT The Vermont Department of Health announced today it has confirmed the states first case of the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus. Currently, the hospital has 32 patients with COVID. We are interested in disease severity," Walensky said. Disclosure: Texas Tech University and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Now, it has made its way to Fort Bend County. Abhijit Duggal reports grants from NIH/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), and consulting fees from Alung Technologies, outside the submitted work. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. During February 1, 2022January 31, 2023, adults aged 18 years admitted to 24 hospitals in 19 U.S. states who met a COVID-19like illness case definition and received SARS-CoV-2 testing were enrolled. 3 Pl. The most recent COVID-19variant is a reminder that the pandemic isn't going away and we must learn to live with it, San Antonio leaders and doctors are expressing. Among immunocompetent adults aged 18 years admitted to 24 hospitals in the IVY Network in 19 U.S. states, receipt of 24 monovalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccine doses provided substantial protection against COVID-19associated IMV and in-hospital death during the Omicron variant period. CDC is not responsible for the content The adult female resident was recently diagnosed with COVID-19. Earlier in the day, Houston Methodist Hospital confirmed nine cases of the variant. Natasha Halasa reports receiving grants from Sanofi and Quidel, outside the submitted work. For the previous 14-day period, the average was 2,306. Hays County, Texas Covid Case and Risk Tracker - New York Times Texas COVID-19 testing sites overwhelmed as omicron spreads Delta's been the king of all variants. Come on folks! said Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley. And for another half of the facilities, vaccination rates are above 50%. Have Omicron cases been reported in the Austin-Travis County area? Vaccine 2022;40:351627. Feikin DR, Abu-Raddad LJ, Andrews N, et al. Questions or messages regarding errors in formatting should be addressed to Finally, although VE estimates were adjusted for patient-level demographic characteristics, calendar time, and geographic region, residual confounding, including from COVID-19 antiviral treatment, cannot be excluded. Among the greatest concerns is omicrons ability to evade immunity from prior COVID-19 infections and vaccinations. Vaccination rates for about one-third of the state's correctional facilities are above 70% for both prisoners and staff. The new COVID variant is present in Houston, as evidenced by the cases uncovered by one of the hospitals in the Texas Medical Center. When I think about things that keep me up at night, it's the next wave of the delta variant. This activity was determined to be public health surveillance by each participating site and CDC and was conducted in a manner consistent with all applicable federal laws and CDC policy.. However, the COVID expert placed it as his second biggest concern, behind the continuing delta wave in Texas. The highly transmissible variant is causing near-vertical case growth in multiple U.S. cities, with figures doubling about every two to three The death toll is 758. 45 C.F.R. KERA News Weekday Update Newsletter Signup, University of Texas School of Public Health, See stories by Joseph Leahy | The Texas Newsroom. He notes it's also important to get the booster vaccine to optimize immunity. These senior authors contributed equally to this report. and/or the original MMWR paper copy for printable versions of official text, figures, and tables. The individual is a Lamoille County resident in their 30s. According to the state, 583,769 people in Denton County have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, while 521,289 62.8% of the countys population 5 and older are fully vaccinated. "While the full impact of omicron is not currently known, we do already know how to reduce the spread of any form of SARS CoV-2," said Dr. Jacquelyn Minter, the director and health authority for Fort Bend County Health & Human Services. D. Clark Files reports receiving a grant from NIH and participating on the Medpace DSMB, outside the submitted work. Houston Methodist identified the nine cases through comprehensive genome sequencing. These cookies may also be used for advertising purposes by these third parties. ** VE estimate was not reported because of insufficient sample size. An Atlanta based band that was in North Texas for a show said their equipment was stolen from their hotel Friday night. Genetic sequencing identified the new variant in a specimen collected on December 8, 2021. Other includes patients who self-reported their race and ethnicity as Other and those for whom race and ethnicity were unknown. These cookies perform functions like remembering presentation options or choices and, in some cases, delivery of web content that based on self-identified area of interests. The first case of the COVID-19 omicron variant in Texas has been MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2023;72:463468. Parkland Hospital said it is once again getting overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients. Before joining The News in 2021, he reported in Orlando, Albany, N.Y., and San Francisco. The new COVID variant is present in Houston, as evidenced by the cases uncovered by one of the hospitals in the Texas Medical Center. Does screen time hurt child development? The best way to prevent severe illness from any variant of COVID-19 and avoid overwhelming the states medical resources, said Shuford, remains vaccinating as much of the states eligible population as possible. If it does, he says the 25 percent of unvaccinated individuals in the city "will drive" another pandemic for Bexar County. The K9 was also shot once. Delta said its cancellations were attributed to potential inclement weather in some places and the impact of omicron. The Omicron variant of the COVID virus first showed up in Harris County, and state officials During February 1, 2022January 31, 2023, a total of 6,354 immunocompetent control patients and COVID-19 case-patients with IMV or in-hospital death were enrolled in the IVY Network. David N. Hager reports receiving grants from NIH, outside the submitted work. Effectiveness of Monovalent mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination in Preventing COVID-19Associated Invasive Mechanical Ventilation and Death Among Immunocompetent Adults During the Omicron Variant Period IVY Network, 19 U.S. States, February 1, 2022January 31, 2023. Cookies used to make website functionality more relevant to you. Baylor, Rice will study. It is also possible that delta remains in some equilibrium with omicron over time.. (Photo by Xie Chuanhui/VCG via Getty Images). - New COVID boosters for omicron, BA.5 are out. Other reasons for exclusion: 1) illness onset after hospital admission, 2) enrollment >7 days after hospital admission, 3) receipt of a SARS-CoV-2positive test result >3 days after hospital admission, 4) case-patient with co-infection with influenza or respiratory syncytial virus, 5) control patient with receipt of a positive influenza test result, and 6) participant withdrawal. As omicron arrives in the area, Austin and Travis County extend A previous analysis from the IVY Network showed high effectiveness of monovalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccination against COVID-19associated IMV and death during the Delta and early Omicron variant periods (2). Does "Arcturus" COVID variant cause pink eye? What to know Data on the durability of protection provided by monovalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccination against critical outcomes of COVID-19 are limited beyond the Omicron BA.1 lineage period (December 26, 2021March 26, 2022). Sites across Texas have reported surges of people seeking COVID-19 tests in the days before Christmas. The couple did not want to wait any longer, especially with the circulation of a new variant, they said. For the previous 14-day period, the average was 340. Both patients had received the first two doses of the Pfizer vaccine but had not gotten a booster. Fort Bend County confirms 3 omicron COVID-19 cases in residents Kelli covers public safety and the Dallas Police Department for The Dallas Morning News. London, United Kingdom: UK Health Security Agency; 2023. Of the new cases, 625 were confirmed and 218 were probable. PublishedDecember 7, 2021 at 3:20 PM CST. The numbers bring the countys overall case total to 424,077, including 357,430 confirmed and 66,647 probable. By Wednesday there were a total of 3,376 hospitalizations in the state, including 891 in North Texas. I wouldnt be too bummed out, Rodriguez said. Still, with the jump in infections, experts say there's never been a better time to get vaccinated and get boosted. The Frisco lab also said that preliminary evidence suggests an increased risk of reinfection with omicron as compared to other variants. EDINBURG, Texas (ValleyCentral) Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez issued disaster declaration on Monday following a weekend of dangerous storms that swept across most of the Upper Valley. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance. The agency also recorded 23 positive cases among staff that weekend, including 10 at the McLennan County campus where all but one of the youth cases originated. ; Influenza and Other Viruses in the Acutely Ill (IVY) Network. Atlanta, GA: US Department of Health and Human Services, CDC; 2022. As of April 2023, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in 1.1 million deaths in the United States, with approximately 75% of deaths occurring among adults aged 65 years (1).Data on the durability of protection provided by monovalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccination against critical outcomes of COVID-19 are limited beyond the Omicron BA.1 Let some air circulation going.". He began his career in broadcast journalism as a reporter for St. Louis Public Radio in 2011. Officials prepare for fast peaking of COVID-19 as the state, North Texas see an increase in cases, said this week that the variant accounted for 73% of new coronavirus infections, We cant imagine whats coming: Dallas sees uptick in COVID-19 testing heading into the holidays, Dallas Countys COVID-19 threat level will stay at orange. Bowling, an infectious disease specialist and associate professor of medicine at the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine at UT Health San Antonio and University Health, says there are a lot of questions they still need answers to as the variant goes through its robust genetic sequencing program. The variant now makes up roughly 32 percent of cases in the hospital system, up from 13 percent on Saturday. AUSTIN, Texas -- The omicron variant has led to a surge in positive cases across Texas, and some hospital regions are seeing numbers of COVID-19 patients that rival last winter. A. The cases will start to increase, he said. Some experts offer cautious optimism despite the bleak outlook. Hidalgo County judge issues disaster declaration | KVEO-TV Logistic regression models were adjusted for U.S. Department of Health and Human Services region, calendar time in biweekly intervals, age, sex, and self-reported race and Hispanic ethnicity. Some nations, like Australia and the United Kingdom, have already detected Omicron. In Houston, there are signs that omicron could usurp delta, still the countrys most dominant strain, in a matter of weeks. If you want to plan the perfect spring picnic, food and drink are important, but its certainly not the only factor to consider. In Houston, one of three county-run sites reached its 500-test capacity by 11 a.m. Friday, KHOU reported. sees record number of patients However, rapid waning of COVID-19 VE against infection, outpatient illness, and hospitalization has been observed during Omicron variant predominance (4). Among 4,059 control patients, 979 (24%) were unvaccinated, and 3,080 (76%) were monovalent-vaccinated. Kelli Smith, Staff Writer. Waning of monovalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness against COVID-19associated hospitalization among adults is recognized; however, little is known about the durability of protection provided by these vaccines against COVID-19associated invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) and in-hospital death during the Omicron variant period. In 2016, he took on a similar role as the local Morning Edition newscaster at KUT in Austin, before moving over to the Texas Newsroom. Tarrant County reported seven deaths and 843 cases Thursday. The county reported that 87 people were hospitalized with the virus. On April 18, 2023, bivalent mRNA vaccines became the only mRNA COVID-19 vaccines authorized for use in the United States. Only 42% of adults aged 65 years have received a bivalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccine dose and are up to date with COVID-19 vaccination (1). The variant was first detected in South Africa in late November. Throughout the pandemic, Houstons wastewater treatment plants have been a reliable indicator of future local spread, usually preceding new infections by about two weeks. Suggested citation for this article: DeCuir J, Surie D, Zhu Y, et al. But U.S. health officials said Sunday that while the omicron variant is rapidly spreading throughout the country,early indications suggest it may be less dangerous than delta, which continues to drive a surge of hospitalizations. BMJ 2022;379:e072141. "I'm encouraged by the South Africa data. According to Ayass Bioscience, the omicron variant has 60 mutations, with 30 on the spike protein, reportedly enhancing its ability to infect people. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, omicron accounted for approximately 25 percent of cases state-wide the week of December 11. Data from the Investigating Respiratory Viruses in the Acutely Ill (IVY) Network were used to conduct a case-control analysis measuring the effectiveness of monovalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccination against COVID-19associated IMV and in-hospital death. Here's how side effects compare to the original shots. The first case of the omicron variant has been detected in Harris County. I mean, what could be worse than the fact that we've had 20,000 unvaccinated Texans since June 1 needlessly lose their lives out of vaccine defiance and refusal? Hotez said. The initial vaccines series offers some protection against an omicron infection, but early findings from Pfizer and Moderna show the new strain significantly reduces their effectiveness. Bowling says it remains to be seen whether or not Omicron will overtake Delta in the U.S. The sharp increase in positive cases has been at a level most communities had not yet seen in the pandemic, including in the Houston area, where they went from several hundred two weeks ago, to more than 5,000 average daily cases, according to Dr. Esmaeil Porsa, president and CEO of Harris Health System. "We have seen an increase just as we do when we see an increase when the community cases rise," Hall said. North Texas omicron surge drives up testing demand, increases San Antonio leaders also held a news conference on Tuesday, November 30, reminding residents to stay vigilant and get vaccinated when it comes to new variants like Omicron. Expert says variant's 50 mutations could be its downfall, Pfizer says booster dose of COVID vaccine offers protection against omicron variant. * https://www.cdc.gov/flu/vaccines-work/ivy.htm Case A San Antonio native, he is a die-hard Spurs fan and avid runner. This conversion might result in character translation or format errors in the HTML version. What to know about XBB.1.16, the 'Arcturus' variant According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, its the same statewide. In an impassioned plea, Whitley, a Republican, put it bluntly. Among monovalent-vaccinated patients, the median interval from receipt of last dose to illness onset was 248 days (IQR=138378 days) (Table 2). Texas announces first detected case of omicron variant in Harris First COVID omicron case reported in Harris County, Texas However, 18 cases were reported in 2022, none of them fatal. FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- More cases of the omicron variant of COVID-19 have been detected in the Houston area. Texas steps up omicron tracking as first case surfaces in Harris County. * Hospitals by HHS region included Region 1: Baystate Medical Center (Springfield, Massachusetts), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (Boston, Massachusetts), and Yale University (New Haven, Connecticut); Region 2: Montefiore Medical Center (New York, New York); Region 3: Johns Hopkins Hospital (Baltimore, Maryland); Region 4: Emory University Medical Center (Atlanta, Georgia), University of Miami Medical Center (Miami, Florida), Vanderbilt University Medical Center (Nashville, Tennessee), and Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center (Winston-Salem, North Carolina); Region 5: Cleveland Clinic (Cleveland, Ohio), Hennepin County Medical Center (Minneapolis, Minnesota), Henry Ford Health (Detroit, Michigan), The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (Columbus, Ohio), and University of Michigan Hospital (Ann Arbor, Michigan); Region 6: Baylor Scott & White Medical Center (Temple, Texas) and Baylor University Medical Center (Dallas, Texas); Region 7: Barnes-Jewish Hospital (St. Louis, Missouri) and University of Iowa Hospitals (Iowa City, Iowa); Region 8: Intermountain Medical Center (Murray, Utah) and UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital (Aurora, Colorado); Region 9: Stanford University Medical Center (Stanford, California) and Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center (Los Angeles, California); and Region 10: Oregon Health & Science University Hospital (Portland, Oregon) and University of Washington (Seattle, Washington). The Harris County woman is in her 40s and had no recent travel history, County Judge Lina Hidalgo said Monday on social media. The doctor added that the number of people who test positive for omicron and the number of hospitalizations related to the variant will likely rise soon, and that Texas could be looking at a twin epidemic of the two variants. Rosenblum HG, Wallace M, Godfrey M, et al. Logistic regression models were adjusted for date of hospital admission (biweekly intervals), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services region (10 regions), categorical age (1849, 5064, and 65 years), sex, and race and ethnicity (Black or African American, non-Hispanic; White, non-Hispanic; Hispanic or Latino, any race; Other race, non-Hispanic; and Other, unknown) unless otherwise noted. The hospital did not say where the patients are from, how they're doing or if they're hospitalized. Houston sees early signs of new omicron-fueled COVID wave as Nearly three days after the storm hit, nearly 15,000 AEP Texas customers in Hidalgo County still are without electricity. Some were sick, some had been exposed to somebody who had the coronavirus. Ithan D. Peltan reports grants from NIH and Janssen Pharmaceuticals and institutional support from Asahi Kasei Pharma and Regeneron, outside the submitted work. Denton County reported no new deaths and 345 cases Thursday. So let's get your gathering outdoors if we can and if not, open some doors and windows. This week, the spike has forced it to reopen two more wards dedicated to just coronavirus patients. To find a list of pop-up clinics, visit sanantonio.gov or call 3-1-1 and select option 8. For the previous 14-day period, the average was 130. COVID data tracker: demographic trends of COVID-19 cases and deaths in the US reported to CDC. Saving Lives, Protecting People, https://www.cdc.gov/flu/vaccines-work/ivy.htm, https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/s0328-covid-19-boosters.html, https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/clinical-considerations/interim-considerations-us.html?ACSTrackingID=USCDC_2120-DM104004&ACSTrackingLabel=Updated%20Guidance%3A%20Interim%20Clinical%20Considerations%20for%20Use%20of%20COVID-19%20Vaccines&deliveryName=USCDC_2120-DM104004, https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/pfizer-biontech-covid-19-vaccines, https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#demographics, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lana.2022.100297, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.04.069, https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1139990/vaccine-surveillance-report-2023-week-9.pdf, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. "So far, that crazy increase in the number of cases has not equated to a crazy increase in hospitalizations," Porsa said. You know, we can make this as political as we want to, but Trump got vaccinated and he got the booster so I don't understand the logic behind not doing this.". Texas Identifies Case of COVID-19 Omicron Variant The numbers bring the countys case total to 380,558, including 312,656 confirmed and 67,902 probable. Department of Health and Human Services. Nearly three days after the storm hit, nearly 15,000 AEP Texas customers in Hidalgo County still are without electricity. The adult female resident was recently Breakthrough cases are expected, but booster shots from either vaccine appear to offer substantially better protection. Eddy Countys COVID-19 positivity rate was 12.40 percent during the March 28, 2023 to April 10, 2023 reporting period, and the cases per 100,000 people was six, "I just don't want people to take chances. Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website. The increasing number of cases in the community have also impacted the state's elder care and Texas' criminal justice facilities, where infected staff and visitors can transmit the virus into areas where people often live more closely. Omicron mmwrq@cdc.gov. What are the implications for public health practice? Michael D. Williams is a reporter covering breaking news for The Dallas Morning News. Its a younger population and their vaccination coverage looks different than ours.. Its just the magnitude of it and the duration thats in question.. GETTING VACCINATED: Houston hospitals see uptick in demand for booster shots as omicron spreads in Texas, Were going to have a wave. "I'm not seeing in the data a wildfire of cases in assisted living facilities in Texas.". The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans - and engages with them - about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. But this more infectious variant is having a major impact on hospital staffing, said Dr. James McDeavitt, the executive vice president and dean of clinical affairs at Baylor College of Medicine. By the following week the most recently available data that number jumped to 25. We can see how quickly this variant is going to spread, said Hasbun.