When will omicron reach the MS Coast? Local doctors warn of spread after holidays
Mimicking the transmission path of the delta strain, COVID-19’s omicron variant should impact the Mississippi Gulf Coast in about a week, local health professionals say, right in the middle of the Christmas and New Years’ holidays.
Coast residents should take extra COVID precautions while gathering around the holidays as omicron is seemingly more transmissible with less severe symptoms than the delta variant — a perfect storm for infecting increased numbers of vaccine-resistant South Mississippi residents.
“Probably in about a week or so we will start seeing more cases pop up in Mississippi and get confirmed as the omicron variant,” said Singing River Clinical Pharmacist Chris Ayers, who said omicron runs the risk of affecting many people.
“Symptoms can be so mild, that people may not even realize that they have it, they could just think they have a cold or perhaps it’s like a sinus infection and may not get tested.”
Omicron has become the dominant COVID strain in more populated U.S. cities with higher international travel since it began in South Africa at the start of December.
In Mississippi, where an increased number of recent emergency room COVID visits are still confirmed to be delta, there have been two confirmed cases, according to state epidemiologist Paul Byers.
“Much like delta, I expect, we’ll probably start seeing more cases in Mississippi… The way the delta pattern kind of worked, it started sort of more in the Jackson area, and then was spread down to the South Mississippi later,” said Ayers.
Omicron cases more resistant to COVID treatments
Dr. Nicholas Conger, an infectious disease specialist at Memorial Hospital at Gulfport, said the more mild nature of omicron’s symptoms may be temporarily promising.
“The good news, at least for now, is that this omicron variant does appear to be less virulent than its predecessors, and appears to be less likely to lead to hospitalization and death.”
The mild cases may lead to more movement from positive patients, however, which could increase spread and severely impact immunocompromised and elderly Mississippians. Ayers said in some instances it could be deadly.
“So that’s really our concern is that it will be so mild that people will almost be lulled into a false sense of security.”
Ochsner Medical Director of Infection Control and Prevention Katherine Baumgarten has said that omicron may resist medicine or partially breakthrough infection or vaccine-induced immunity.
State Medical Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs tweeted on Thursday that the omicron variant is “different” than delta and “most” monoclonal treatments ineffective against it.
Monoclonal antibody infusions are a leading COVID treatment in Mississippi, where vaccination rates remain some of the lowest in the country.
Currently, 48% of Mississippians have received both shots, with Harrison County at 43%, and Jackson County at 42% and Hancock at 34%.
Sixty-one percent of the country is fully vaccinated and 28% are boosted. Twenty-six percent of Mississippi is boosted.
Initial observations on how omicron patients responded to COVID vaccinations have found some breakthrough infections in those who were fully vaccinated with two shots, but not among those who had also received their booster shots.
Gathering for the holidays
Conger said omicron will eventually become the dominant strain in South Mississippi. Right now, because it’s contagious but “mild,” families should access holiday gatherings individually.
Ayers suggested families could gather for Christmas and New Years while following certain precautions, consistent with Centers for Disease Control instructions.
“Practice social distancing. It’s probably a good idea to wear a mask if you’re in a group. And then just common hand washing, that’s the number one way that we can help prevent the spread of any infection,” Ayers said.
“We can still gather to celebrate the holidays and be around our families. Hopefully, the weather looks like it’s possibly going to be a little warmer. So try to get outdoors and spaced out as much as possible.”
Dobbs in his tweet on Thursday also suggested getting booster shots, staying home while sick, wearing masks indoors and limiting indoor gatherings while ER visits are increasing and omicron comes near.
This article and live event is supported by the Journalism and Public Information Fund, a fund of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation.
