The state reported an alarming number of 12,164 new COVID cases over the holiday weekend. And with the availability of in-home COVID tests, Tulane Epidemiologist Dr. Susan Hassig said the number is even more concerning because it does not include positive at-home results.
“It is not by, in any way an accurate number of how many people are actually infected, absolutely. And I think that’s something we need to keep in mind most clearly,” said Hassig.
If you have tested positive at home, in addition to quarantining, Hassig encourages you to call the state’s contact tracing line, so we have a better idea of community spread and where we are seeing a spike in cases.
Hassig said it’s a testament to just how transmissible the Omicron variant is. In just a week COVID hospitalizations have doubled to 449 patients in Louisiana. Approximately 80% of the patients are unvaccinated She said there’s typically a two-week delay when cases begin to rise to see an impact in hospitals and the uptick now is here cases were on the rise after Thanksgiving.
“I would not be surprised to see the rise in hospitalizations pick up speed substantially as we hit two weeks after the increase in cases in any given location,” said Hassig.
The current increase in COVID hospital patients is being seen in Region 1 (the greater New Orleans area), Region 2 (Baton Rouge area), and Region 7 (greater Shreveport area).
The Omicron variant of COVID, Hassig said does have a different clinical presentation compared to the original virus and Delta.
“So, if you start experiencing any kind of respiratory symptomology that’s not normal for you, and if anything persists, you should get tested,” said Hassig.
Hassig highly encourages you to use face masks in public settings, wash your hands frequently, and socially distance yourself. She said we are starting to see an uptick in flu and strep cases and COVID mitigation will help reduce exposure to those as well.
On Monday the CDC reduced isolation time for Americans who test positive from 10 days to five days.
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