US President Joe Biden on Thursday warned the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 was increasing in the US. He also reiterated his appeal for unvaccinated persons to take jabs.
Biden was quoted by CNN as telling reporters, “I want to send a direct message to the American people: Due to the steps we've taken, Omicron has not yet spread as fast as it would have otherwise done. But it's here now and it's spreading and it's gonna increase... We are looking at a winter of severe illness and death for the unvaccinated—for themselves, their families and the hospitals they'll soon overwhelm. But there's good news: If you're vaccinated and you have your booster shot, you're protected from severe illness and death.”
Biden also argued for the economic reasons for vaccination. “We're gonna protect our economic recovery. If we do this, we're gonna keep schools and businesses open... and I want to see everyone around enjoy that. I want to see them enjoy the fact that they're able to be in school, that businesses are open and the holidays are coming,” the president was quoted as saying by CNN.
There has been a spike in daily COVID cases in the US in recent weeks. “As of December 1, the average of new daily cases of infection was 86,000. On December 14, it had shot up to 117,000—an increase of 35 per cent," AFP reported.
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Worries about the Omicron variant have led to reintroduction of restrictions that had been progressively lifted over the past year.
“Broadway shows are being cancelled because of more and more positive tests among drama companies. Major US universities are reverting to classes and tests online to try to halt the spread of the virus. The National Football League has introduced stricter health controls after 100 or so players tested positive since the beginning of the week. The NBA has also been hit with games being postponed," AFP reported.