Omicron surge has finally hit its peak

Miami, Florida – According to experts, the surge in Omicron cases has finally hit its peak.

“The answer is yes, we are at the peak,” says University of Miami Rheumatologist Dr. Geeta Nayyar.

For the last 10 weeks the Florida Department of Health has been tracking COVID cases, and last week, the numbers hit an all-time high. Now, there’s a significant drop. “What we know about Omicron is that it was fast to the scene and fast to exit the scene and that’s exactly what we’re seeing whether it’s here in South Florida or across the globe,” says Nayyar.

According to the FDOH, just over 289,000 COVID cases were reported from the last seven days, which is a 33% decrease from the week prior. “What we know about Omicron is that it was fast to the scene and fast to exit the scene and that’s exactly what we’re seeing whether it’s here in South Florida or across the globe,” says Nayyar.

Besides death and hospitalization rates have yet to plateau, Dr. Nayyar says that’s normal. “It makes sense that hospitalization rates and deaths would lag behind positivity rates because folks have to get treated, get taken care of and that’s exactly where we’re at right now,” she explains.

Nayyar says there are likely other obstacles ahead while it seems we’ll eventually defeat Omicron. “I think there will absolutely be another variant. At this point there is a clear cycle, a clear rhythm to this virus,” she says.

According to Nayyer, it’s hard to predict how transmissible a new variant could be. “What that means about the future is hard to tell because every variant has been different,” she says.

Experts are encouraging everyone, now is not the time to let your guard down.