STAT reports:

The Omicron wave in the United States is upon us.

If you were fortunate enough to tune out from Covid-19 news over the holidays, you’re coming back to startling reports about record high case counts and, in some places, increases in hospitalizations. The wave will crest, of course; the question is when.

For now, experts say, the country still has a ways to go to get through the Omicron surge. Below, STAT outlines what Omicron is already teaching us as this phase of the pandemic plays out.

A reminder: Scientists have known about this variant for just a little over a month. While a tremendous amount has been learned in a stunningly short amount of time, our understanding will continue to be refined as data pour in and key questions are answered.

The hypothesis that we’re not immunological blank slates is holding up

When Omicron was first identified in November, there was rightfully a lot of concern about how well protection from past infection and vaccination would withstand the new variant and its multitude of mutations. But many experts took what could be considered an optimistic view: Yes, this virus had changed, but our immune systems still could see it for what it was.

That has largely held true — as protection against severe disease seems to have been broadly maintained. [Continue reading…]