People wait in line at the COVID-19 testing site in Times Square, New York, Monday, December 13, 2021.
Seth Wenig / AP
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People wait in line at the COVID-19 testing site in Times Square, New York, Monday, December 13, 2021.
Seth Wenig / AP
The surge in coronavirus cases in the US is seriously altering the previously promising holiday plans of many Americans. As more people traveled over the weekend, health officials and state leaders issued dire warnings about the coronavirus as the United States experienced record new infections.
On Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report 156,754 new COVID cases. By early November, the country had recorded an average of about 70,000 cases.
The increase in the number of cases in recent days is partly due to the omicron variant. It is predicted to become the dominant stream in the US in the coming weeks.
Over the weekend, live theater and sporting events announced either postponement or complete cancellation because of infections among athletes and staff, as well as cast and crew members.
Corey Booker and Elizabeth Warren announced that they have tested positive for coronavirus, but both have mild symptoms. Both said they were fully vaccinated and had a booster shot.
In the face of a surge in new infections, President Joe Biden will notify White House press secretary Jen Psaki said. He will also issue a warning “about what winter will be like for Americans who choose to remain unvaccinated.”
Initial data shows that while omicrons have the ability to easily evade shots that boost and protect immunity, infected people may be less likely to become seriously ill and need to be hospitalized.
According to scientists’ most of the forecasts are pessimistic, the United States could hit more than half a million daily average infections by the end of January – more than double its peak last winter.
Now, the former director of the National Institutes of Health, Dr. Francis Collins, who retired last weekend, warns Americans to take the pandemic seriously. He told NPR otherwise, the country could see 1 million infections daily.
“We can’t let our guard down” Collins to NPR’s Scott Detrow in an interview with Weekend version.
“I know people are tired of this,” he said, acknowledging American fatigue for nearly two years during the pandemic. “I’m tired of it too, believe me. But the virus doesn’t tire us out. It’s going through a long period of changing shape every few months, popping new variants and figuring out how to have it. could spread more.”
The cancellation affects the world of sports and entertainment
National Hockey League postpone 27 games so far and will postpone another 12 through Thursday because of COVID.
The NHL and National Hockey Players Association announced Sunday that the regular season will resume, but cross-border games between the US and Canada will be rescheduled.
NBA postponing five games as some players and staff must attend to the league’s COVID-19 protocols.
The NFL also announced the postponement of a series of games for the week.
Tournaments announced friday Saturday’s game between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Cleveland Browns has been moved to Monday. Sunday meetings between the Washington Soccer Team with the Philadelphia Eagles and the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams were moved to Tuesday.
The world of performing arts has also undergone many changes.
Follow New York Times reporter Michael Paulson.
On Sunday, 10 shows were canceled because of a positive COVID-19 test, Paulson reported.
“Saturday Night Live” change its plans over the weekend due to an outbreak, there was no live audience and a limited number of cast and crew with new sketches filmed earlier in the week, as well as other sketches according to Christmas theme from years past.
New York City to increase testing capacity
On Sunday, New York reported 22,478 new cases. New York City report weekly average of 4,742 new cases, reflecting a growing trend.
New Yorkers are said to have poured into the streets over the weekend to try to take the test, but encountered long lines in the cold. The wait time at a city-run vaccination and testing center in Times Square on Saturday afternoon was about three hours, follow New York Post.
“I’m cold and frustrated. We’re in such a big city, so there are more options,” Alessandra Abate told Post. She waited in line for more than two hours.
People line up to be tested for the coronavirus PCR and COVID-19 Rapid Antigen at Wall Street in the Financial District in New York on Thursday, December 16, 2021.
Ted Shaffrey / AP
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People line up to be tested for the coronavirus PCR and COVID-19 Rapid Antigen at Wall Street in the Financial District in New York on Thursday, December 16, 2021.
Ted Shaffrey / AP
“It’s really impossible on the weekend to find a place,” she said.
In response to growing frustration, Mayor Bill de Blasio on Sunday announced an expansion in the city’s COVID-19 testing capacity. That includes extended periods, free home testing kits in high-volume areas, and more testing sites set up during the week.
The mayor said late Tuesday, New York City will have eight new city-run locations across five boroughs.
“This is not March 2020. We’ve learned a lot since then,” he tweeted. “You’ve increased protection for yourself and your family by getting vaccinated. We have treatments and strategies. We know how to fight.”
Situation elsewhere
The United States is not the only place experiencing a related increase in new infections.
In a positive move, the Netherlands Announce a new key until at least January 14. That means bars, non-essential stores, cinemas and gyms will be closed until then.
Ireland and Germany have announced a series of new coronavirus restrictions to combat the surge, but have yet to go so far as to undergo a whole new round of lockdowns.
Irish Prime Minister Michael Martin announced that restaurants, bars and public places must close at 8pm starting Monday. He said: “Instances of omicron variation in water are doubling every few days.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said on December 19, 2021, a passerby walked into the city center of Rotterdam during the Christmas period to try to prevent the proliferation of the coronavirus variant Omicron, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said on December 18, 2021. .
Marco De Swart / ANP / AFP via Getty Images
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Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said on December 19, 2021, a passerby walked into the city center of Rotterdam during the Christmas period to try to prevent the proliferation of the coronavirus variant Omicron, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said on December 18, 2021. .
Marco De Swart / ANP / AFP via Getty Images
In a message shared online, he say: “We may have to dig a little deeper to reach it this time, but the unique resilience, solidarity and faith in science that have marked Ireland around the world will also get us through. this.”
Germany has issued new entry requirements for people arriving from the UK and other European countries.
