CDC sharply drops estimate of Omicron prevalence in U.S.
“There was a large predictive interval posted in final week’s chart, in half as a result of of the velocity at which Omicron was growing,” CDC spokesperson Jasmine Reed advised POLITICO. “We had extra knowledge come in from that timeframe and there was a lowered proportion of Omicron.”
The White Home did not instantly reply to request for remark.
The CDC’s revised Dec. 25 mannequin features a narrower confidence vary of Omicron’s prevalence: 41.5 to 74 %. The company’s present mannequin means that the Delta variant nonetheless represents 41.1 % of U.S. infections. CDC updates the mannequin weekly.
“Setting apart the query of how the preliminary estimate was so inaccurate, if CDC’s new estimate of Omicron prevalence is exact then it suggests {that a} good portion of the present hospitalizations we’re seeing from Covid should still be pushed by Delta infections,” former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb tweeted Tuesday.
The U.S. is now recording more than 206,000 daily Covid-19 infections — a quantity that’s quickly rising. People proceed to journey at excessive ranges by the vacations: greater than 2 million individuals flew yesterday, according to Transportation Security Administration data.
“It’s essential to notice that we’re nonetheless seeing regular improve in the proportion of Omicron,” Reed mentioned.
