Proportions

The LDH estimates the proportion of Omicron cases is over 84% in Louisiana

By John V. Lyons


The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) estimates the proportion of Omicron cases in our state to be 84.6% for the week ending December 18.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that the proportion of Omicron in the HHS 6 region (which includes Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas) is 92.1%. Additionally, the CDC estimates that Omicron accounts for 73.2% of all cases nationwide.

Limited sequence data from Louisiana are available for the most recent reporting period. The estimated proportions are preliminary. LDH will now report the proportion of Omicron variants rather than the number of cases. Case-based surveillance for Omicron is no longer sustainable due to the volume of cases identified. In addition, providing a number of confirmed and probable cases will provide an inaccurate representation of the amount of Omicron circulating in our state. This is because: 1) probable cases can only be identified by a single specific PCR test that detects the dropout of the S gene, 2) not all PCR samples are submitted for sequencing, and 3) many people are tested by rapid antigen or molecular tests, which cannot be sequenced.

Updated LDH Guide

In view of the fast-spreading Omicron variant, Governor John Bel Edwards extended Louisiana Emergency Public Health Order require all state employees, contractors and visitors to wear a mask indoors in most state buildings. In addition, the LDH has issued revised recommendations and guidelines for Louisianans during the holiday season, especially if they are traveling. These include getting vaccines and boosters, masking indoors – regardless of vaccination status – around people who are not in your household and get tested multiple times – before traveling, before a gathering and returning from a trip.

According to the CDC, unvaccinated people are 14 times more likely to die and 8 times more likely to be hospitalized due to COVID compared to a fully vaccinated person.

Additionally, anyone with symptoms of COVID should get tested and stay in quarantine to avoid spreading the disease to others. People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms, including fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headaches, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, stuffy or runny nose. , nausea or vomiting and diarrhea.

COVID-19 vaccines and boosters are widely available in more than 1,000 locations in Louisiana’s 64 parishes, including pharmacies, hospitals, health care clinics, and doctor’s offices. For a list of locations near you, visit https://ldh.la.gov/covidvaccine or send your postal code by SMS to GETVAX (438829) in English or to VACUNA (822862) in Spanish. If you have any questions, want to speak with a healthcare professional, or need help making an appointment, call 211 or the Louisiana Vaccine Hotline at 1-855-453-0774.

As a reminder, all community sites operated by the Louisiana National Guard will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and New Year’s Day.


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John V. Lyons
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