Omicron-BA2 Wave is Here

The covid-19 baton has been passed on to the BA2 variant

Dear Member,

Over the past 10 days we have noticed a surge of COVID-19 infections. We are certain we are at the beginning of a BA2-omicron variant wave. The experts “believe” that it will be more a wavelet than an actual wave mimicking what occurred around Christmas and New Year’s with the original Omicron wave. However there is a 55% increase in NYS this week compared to 14 days ago. We are seeing that patients are more symptomatic with this wave than the original Omicron (more fevers and gastrointestinal symptoms). We know everyone is tired and it takes effort to protect yourself. But we encourage you to stay vigilant and keep up some precautions as we see numbers rising again. Here are some ways to help assure you don’t get infected (again):

Vaccinate and get Boosted. Natural immunity (immunity from infection), and even vaccines, wane over time. If you aren’t fully vaccinated and boosted, we recommend that you become so as soon as possible. If you have had COVID in December/January or later, you should be protected against this wave. If you are immunocompromised in any way, we suggest you get boosted regardless. If you are over 50 and it’s been 4 months or more since your last booster, we recommend that you get another. Vaccines are available in our office. Please call to schedule a nursing visit. Those of you have had “hybrid” immunity- vaccinated AND had the infection are usually well protected for up to a year. But omicron doesn’t give as much protection so this number is probably lower if that was the infection you had to give you a hybrid immunity. 

How strict should I be? If you or someone you know is immunocompromised or over 65 you need to be careful again - mask indoors, eat in well ventilated areas with people you don’t know (ventilation makes a HUGE difference), and test often.

What to do if you get COVID? We have many more tools against COVID-19 than we did even last year. The monoclonal antibodies that were helpful with the original and delta wave, didn’t help with omicron (other than sotrovimab that was in very short supply). Currently, Bebtelovimab is only effective monoclonal antibody and also in very short supply. But there are antiviral medications. We recommend that anyone with mild to moderate covid-19 symptoms who are at increased risk for severe disease, consider going on Paxlovid - the Pfizer antiviral. Most side effects are minimal with the altered taste the most common. There are a LOT of drug interactions with this medication especially with statins so all medications need to be reviewed prior to starting this medication.

Should I wait for a omicron specific booster? Two recent animal studies showed no real difference between an omicron specific booster and the original formulation in regards to protection. In other words, don’t wait.

Are we going to keep needing boosters? They do believe there will be another outbreak in the fall/winter when everyone is back indoors. The experts also think that a 4th shot should last longer than the previous one that seemed to wane after 4 months, but no one really knows. We still recommend getting the 4th vaccine if you qualify and not waiting for fall unless you belong to one of the more protective scenarios discussed above.

Test test test: We still recommend that you do a rapid antigen home test prior to getting together with others. Preferably test as close to the get together as possible. This way you’re less likely to be contagious even if someone tests positive the next day.

Stock up: We were able to ride the waves properly protected with enough PPE as we kept buying even during last summer’s lull. We recommend you do the same with regards to masks and test kits. Keep buying ones you see or keep ordering the free ones from the government as allowed. You can get either free tests via USPS by visiting www.covidtests.gov and filling out your information. Put them aside for now but keep them on hand. Also a good idea is to have a pulse oximeter at home.

All things COVID: The government now has a one stop website for everything regarding COVID-19- https://www.covid.gov

We will leave you with this: All pandemics end!

Stay well!

Flatiron Family Medical

@flatironfamily