A report on the Coronavirus19 Omicron variant published by the CDC has found evidence of cases in 25 states, but all of the cases so far appear to be relatively mild. Highlights from the report include: “During December 1–8, 2021, 22 U.S. states reported at least one COVID-19 case attributed to the Omicron variant. Among 43 cases with initial follow-up, one hospitalization and no deaths were reported.”

The report provided a brief profile of the first 43 patients who were found to have the Omicron variant: “25 (58%) were in persons aged 18–39 years. The earliest date of symptom onset was November 15 in a person with a history of international travel. Fourteen (33%) persons reported international travel during the 14 days preceding symptom onset or receipt of a positive test result. Among these cases of COVID-19 attributed to the Omicron variant, 34 (79%) occurred in persons who completed the primary series of an FDA-authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine ≥14 days before symptom onset or receipt of a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result, including 14 who had received an additional or booster dose; five of the 14 persons had received the additional dose <14 days before symptom onset. Six (14%) persons had a documented previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. The most commonly reported symptoms were cough, fatigue, and congestion or runny nose. One vaccinated patient was hospitalized for 2 days, and no deaths have been reported to date. Case investigations have identified exposures associated with international and domestic travel, large public events, and household transmission.”

The findings from the CDC are consistent with widespread anecdotal reports of mild symptoms, especially for those who have already received one of the Covid19 vaccines. Health experts still advise caution, as the one factor that has not yet been established is whether infection with the Omicron variant will provide future immunity against the far more lethal Delta variant. There is also no way of knowing if infection with the Omicron variant will provide protection against future infection if a Covid19 variant emerges that has the same lethality as the original SARS virus. The original SARS virus had a mortality rate of around 35%, and over 50% for people over the age of 65.