As 2021 came to an end, leading to new variants of COVID into 2022, the rise in cases is more than before. This and January are going to be the highest numbers that scientists and doctors encountered since the first appearance of COVID.  

So, what are the newest variants? Well, there’s Omicron which is the fastest growing and spreading variant, hence why numbers have gotten so high. Some symptoms of Omicron are a runny nose, headache, fatigue (more than usual), sneezing, and a sore throat. These symptoms could appear as if it is a common cold leading many to believe they do not have COVID. If you are experiencing any of these, please seek out to get a test to ensure yours and others safety. The bright side of Omicron is that it has the least number of death rates and hospitalizations being less powerful than the first strand of COVID. 

The  Delta variant, however, is different. It is really strong and it spreads faster than the first form of the virus. It is also said that Delta is more in the respiratory tract, which is why it can be more fatal causing some to become hospitalized. The symptoms to look out for are cough, fever, loss of taste or smell, shortness of breath, body aches and vomiting. It may seem like a flu at first, but again, to be safe, try to seek out for a test. 

With the new strands in 2022, this January and February are going to be the peak of COVID cases worldwide. By March, scientists are predicting that there will be a decline and cases should not be nearly as bad. Many people are also getting the vaccine and booster shots in order to help slow the spread of the virus and if they were to get it, it would not be as fatal. In the U.S. alone, there have been a number of 210 million citizens fully vaccinated. 

If you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms, have a positive COVID test, or have general questions, please call the parent/student healthline at 702-799-4322 for support.