Other countries along with a small but growing number of states are starting to re-implement mitigation measures as Omicron spreads. Locally an outbreak has Tulane allowing undergrads to finish out the semester virtually.
The New Orleans region has yet to see confirmed large-scale community Omicron variant spread, yet, but given what we know about other countries should more people and businesses consider going back to previous mitigation practices?
“I would definitely make that consideration given what we have seen in congregant settings,” LSU Health New Orleans Chief of Infectious Disease Dr. Julio Figueroa told WWL. “We do know it seems to be more transmissible than even Delta.”
Across the Atlantic British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is warning of an Omicron Tidal Wave, and asking companies to return to virtual work and social distancing. Figueroa said we don’t have the full picture on Omicron yet, but it’s reasonable to practices that have worked in the past.
“I think for sure indoor masking if there is any prolonged exposure, minimizing the number of people in a particular area would be good,” said Figueroa. “If remote situations are available, and are effective, then I think I would impose those as well.”
Figueroa said LSU Health New Orleans has not rescinded its mask mandate. One main reason why is that there was concern that, Omicron aside, there would be a post-Thanksgiving bump in cases. He added that we don’t have enough data to confirm some reports suggesting Omicron is less virulent or makes people less sick. That could take some time to figure out, potentially a few months.