Dr. Mallika Marshall explains: Omicron. The other/multiple races category included American Indian or Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, another race specified by the person not in the provided list, or multiple races. . Millions of people in China have been forced into lockdown, ordered to stay home to protect themselves from the countrys biggest COVID-19 outbreak in two years. Even past infection or immunization don't offer quite as much protection as would be expected. And it has been able to spread fast. SELF may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. How does COVID-19 spread between people? Its all about how close you are to that person coupled with airflow [turnover] and ventilation of the space you are in, whether that is indoors or outdoors, Dr. Rohde says. Yet Omicron, the highly contagious variant known for slipping around some of our best defences, might be surviving longer on everyday objects than its early predecessor raising questions about which basic precautions to prevent surface-based transmission might still be warranted. Jurisdictions identified persons who were considered potentially eligible for participation through obtaining laboratory line lists of persons who had sequence-confirmed Omicron (B.1.1.529 lineage and its sublineages) or whose sequencing results were pending. At that time, the World . The CDC doesn't currently recommend wearing a mask outdoors. Persons with sequence-confirmed Omicron infection and their household contacts were interviewed. Lane . . After three years, most people know how to do that: vaccines, masks, physical distancing, handwashing and lets not forget ventilation. This, to me, is no different from a decision to go back to the gym, resume travel or dine indoors in restaurants. As for indoor activities outside of homemask up, even if your trips are brief, she recommended: Its more possible than ever to catch COVID in passing. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. For this investigation, a confirmed case in a household contact was defined as a positive SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid amplification test result or antigen test result (through local or home testing)** 14 days after the index date. 3501 et seq. Wen: You need to decide whats best for you, with the understanding that one-way masking with an N95 or equivalent works very well that is, even if others around you arent masking, you are still well-protected if you wear a well-fitting, high-quality mask at all times. While its less dangerous than being indoors when someone sneezes, theres still a risk of infection from a very contagious strain like BA.5. A sharp spike in coronavirus cases, in part fueled by the new Omicron variant, is prompting health experts to urge that New Year's Eve gatherings be toned down. "Most people that get it outdoors are still getting into groups with friends, neighbors and family when outdoors and that is a good way to spread infection when it is present," he said. The original Wuhan strain of COVID-19 had a reproductive ratealso known as an R0 or R-naught valueof around 3.3, meaning that each infected person infected another 3.3 people, on average. All authors have completed and submitted the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors form for disclosure of potential conflicts of interest. They can also be exposed by inhaling aerosol particles that are spreading away from the infected person. Why Are There So Many Omicron SubvariantsAnd What Can They Tell Us About the Future of the Pandemic? Powered and implemented by Interactive Data Managed Solutions. So, does this mean youre at risk every time you step outside? By submitting a comment, you accept that CBC has the right to reproduce and publish that comment in whole or in part, in any manner CBC chooses. All Rights Reserved. Omicron BA.5 May Increase the Risk of Outdoor TransmissionHere's How to Stay Safe Although being outdoors is overall the safer option, when a virus is more contagious, it's more contagious. "If you wash your hands not obsessively, but just thoughtfully and carefully that's going to reduce any transmission you see out there," Evans said. It appears that outdoor transmission has become more likely with the newer variants over the past year (i.e., since delta) as they have become more transmissible, but outdoors remains a much lower-risk setting than indoors, Dr. Marr explains. References to non-CDC sites on the Internet are Omicron sublineages are still increasing and cause increased transmission and infect CDC twenty four seven. A used mask is seen on beach at marine protected area located in St. Martin's Island, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh on March 13. mmwrq@cdc.gov. For me, my area, in Baltimore City, is in a green or low-risk area for Covid-19 transmission, according to the CDC. Did you encounter any technical issues? But being outside is still much, much safer than being indoors. CNN: Does it make sense to mask in some situations but not others? Theres free communication of the air with the atmosphere, and that really disperses aerosols [that can carry COVID-19], so the risk would be a lot lower, Roberts explained. Will BA.2 Cause Another COVID Wave in the U.S.? She cautions that outdoor tents that dont have flaps that let air in are not that different from being indoors, as far as COVID transmission risk goes. In other words, 10 people crowded at an al fresco table doesnt equal safety just because there are only a handful of people around. Vaccinated residents with breakthrough infections were significantly less likely to transmit them: 28% versus 36% for those who were unvaccinated. Interferon lambda, an injectable drug in development, is already being compared to Paxlovid. Persons reported their race (White, Black, Asian, American Indian or Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander) and ethnicity (Hispanic/Latino or non-Hispanic/Latino) from lists of options and had the opportunity to state another option if their race or ethnicity was not listed. BA.5the omicron subvariant that emerged in South Africa in February before sweeping across the worldis now the dominant coronavirus variant in the United States. For others, a restaurant with an open wall is outdoors. CNN: What about outdoors? "The risk outside is going to be substantially less. a new COVID-19 Omicron variant has come knocking on the door, potentially disrupting plans for many . This is the most common transmission. Upon taking a closer look at the new subvariant, scientists discovered that BA.5 has mutations in the spike protein that may allow it to evade the immune systems first line of defenseantibodiesraising the likelihood that itll cause a new wave of infections and reinfections, especially in people with low or waning immunity. We also have more tools at our disposal than we did in 2020. Wind is typically good because it will lead to more rapid dilution [of particles], but you should pay attention to wind direction and avoid being close and directly downwind of others, Dr. Marr says. Suggested citation for this article: Baker JM, Nakayama JY, OHegarty M, et al. If your community is in an orange, or high risk, area by the CDCs metrics, you should mask indoors. If you are generally healthy and fully vaccinated and boosted, your chance of severe illness from Covid-19 is very low. Are there certain settings where COVID-19 can spread more easily? It's nice to see people's expressions and feel a sense of normalcy.". Linsey Marr, a researcher on the airborne transmission of viruses like SARS-CoV-2 and a professor at Virginia Tech, agreed that the results show Omicron seems to survive better, which could be contributing to its heightened transmissibility. Among the 204 excluded households, 143 did not meet eligibility criteria, 47 were excluded because the index patient could not be identified, 11 were excluded because household contacts had confirmed or probable cases and were known to have a SARS-CoV-2 exposure other than exposure to the index patient, and three were excluded when sequencing results (pending at the time of interview) indicated a variant that was not Omicron. In this investigation, a confirmed case in a household contact was defined as having received a positive SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid amplification test result or antigen test result 14 days after the index date (date of the index patients symptom onset or positive SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid amplification test result or antigen test result), and a probable case in a household contact was defined as the presence of COVID-19compatible symptoms during the same 14-day period but without a positive SARS-CoV-2 test confirmation. Revelers can still hold indoor. All but one of the 183 included households had sequence-confirmed Omicron; this one household had probable Omicron through variant specific qPCR in which the specimen had mutations consistent with the Omicron variant (K417N+ and L452R). CNN: What should people consider when deciding what precautions they want to bring back, like canceling restaurant reservations or masking up indoors? More at sheilaeldred.pressfolios.com. Transmission occurred within 67.8% (124 of 183) of households, and the overall AR among household contacts with known status was 52.7% (227 of 431) (Figure 2). Then came Omicron, with an reproductive rate almost twice as large: 9.5. The B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variant, first detected in November 2021, was responsible for a surge in U.S. infections with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, during December 2021January 2022 (1). That being said, not all outdoor spaces are created equal. What is the difference between people who are asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic? These cookies perform functions like remembering presentation options or choices and, in some cases, delivery of web content that based on self-identified area of interests. Being around people who are symptomatic increases the risk of transmission. For the most cautious, a park or a hiking trail is the only truly outdoor space. On September 1, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommended the newly updated COVID-19 booster vaccines. More information is available, Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People, https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1003987, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), International Travel to and from the United States, Requirement for Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination for Air Passengers, Requirement for Proof of Negative COVID-19 Test or Documentation of Recovery from COVID-19 for Air Passengers Traveling to the United States from China, Hong Kong, or Macau, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. CNN is only US outlet living through Shanghai lockdown. "The virus is fragile; these mutations haven't changed that. We conducted a test-negative case-control study and recruited the test-positive cases and test-negative controls in the outbreak caused by . That's a key finding from a new pre-print paper from researchers at the University of Hong Kong's school of public health, which is published online but has not yet been peer-reviewed. Coronavirus FAQ: Why are some folks hacking home COVID tests by swabbing their throat. The ARs among household contacts by index patient vaccination status were lowest among those who received a booster dose (42.7%, 47 of 110) and those who were fully vaccinated <5 months before the index date (43.6%, 17 of 39). Its unlikely most Americans will see local governments bring back even moderate pandemic restrictions. The symptoms arent always as similar as you might think. See the Interactive Home Ventilation Tool. ARs were consistently high across household contact and index patient age groups, including those aged 04 years. BA.5 is just one of the latest subvariants to come from the original Omicron lineage, Michael Blaivas, MD, chief medical officer at Anavasi Diagnostics, told Health. All HTML versions of MMWR articles are generated from final proofs through an automated process. Lynn E. Sosa reports being a past Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists STD Subcommittee chair. Slightly less transmissible were the 1918 pandemic strain of flu, which had an estimated R0 of 2, as does Ebola. People walk through the Whitney Biennial show at the Whitney Museum of Art on April 06, 2022 in New York City. Household contacts were defined as any persons who spent one or more overnights in the residence with the index patient during their potentially infectious period. Saving Lives, Protecting People, Given new evidence on the B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant, CDC has updated the, The White House announced that vaccines will be required for international travelers coming into the United States, with an effective date of November 8, 2021. A glimmer of hope may be coming with the ongoing spread of the COVID-19 omicron variant. September 7, 2022. I do not think that people need to mask outdoors, but there may be situations where someone is extremely vulnerable for example, a cancer patient on chemotherapy and wants to be extra careful. "Doing experiments inside a lab where humidity is controlled is one thing. 2023 Fortune Media IP Limited. We are in the midst of another COVID-19 wave driven by the highly contagious BA.4 and BA.5 variants, which have a mutation in the spike protein of the coronavirus that causes these variants to more easily attach to (and infect) people. These cookies may also be used for advertising purposes by these third parties. For example, if you work in an office that has pretty good ventilation and is well-spaced, and requires proof of vaccination, you may consider not masking in that setting. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Five studies described influenza transmission outdoors and 2 adenovirus transmission outdoors. At this point, the definition of outdoors isnt exactly agreed upon, Roberts noted. You can review and change the way we collect information below. Users are referred to the electronic PDF version (https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr) Not only does it keep your cheeks warm, but who wants to take their gloves off to fuss with a mask in sub-freezing temps? MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022;71:341346. Partially vaccinated was defined as having only 1 dose of a 2-dose series or completing the primary vaccination series <2 weeks before the index date. When do infected people transmit the virus? Thanks to a unique cluster of mutations on the spike protein, the part of the virus that latches to our cells, BA.5 is believed to be the most contagious strain of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, so far. And Eric Topol, MD . 4:12 AM EDT, Thu April 14, 2022, 'Our priorities are skewed here': Doctor weighs in on Covid laxity, HINES, ILLINOIS - APRIL 01: Army veteran Robert Hall waits the recommended 15 minutes to see if he will have any adverse reactions after receiving his second COVID-19 booster shot at Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital on April 01, 2022 in Hines, Illinois. Though the BA.5 wave hasnt caused a significant spike in hospitalizations or deaths in South Africa, certain locations hit by BA.5, like Portugal, have seen an uptick in hospitalizations. CDC COVID-19 Response Team. We reserve the right to close comments at any time. This activity was reviewed by CDC and was conducted consistent with applicable federal law and CDC policy.. The CDC has excellent guidelines to help you make sure your mask fits properly. If your own risk tolerance is low, certain outdoor situations could call for masking up. In addition, surfaces may play a greater role in Omicron transmission. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Heres What You Should Know About BA.5 Symptoms and Severity, A Devastating Number of Americans Will Experience Long COVID. The median interval between index date and date of interview was 24 days (IQR=1729 days). New studies suggest that BA.4 and BA.5, currently sweeping the U.S. and countries around the globe, have a growth advantage over BA.2 similar to the growth advantage BA.2 had over BA.1. Fully vaccinated was defined as completion of the primary vaccination series 2 weeks before the index date and stratified into completion <5 months or 5 months before the index date. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, it felt like thevirus was everywhere and on everything. CNN: What if you have to go back to the office, and others arent masking? Omicron Subvariants Mean Outdoor Covid Risk Is Different Now Media outlets report on the rise of omicron BA.5, and how subvariants like this are leading to new covid surges and have. According to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), BA.5 accounts for 65% of all COVID-19 cases in the U.S.; in just two months, the subvariant managed to outcompete BA.2 and BA.2.12.1the two previously dominant subvariants. Omicron transmission occurred in 124 (67.8%) of 183 households. "I think we shouldn't drop our guard against SARS-CoV-2, period.". New COVID-19 Omicron variant and boosted, your chance of severe illness from COVID-19 very... We did in 2020 walk through the Whitney Museum of Art on April 06, 2022 in York... An injectable drug in development, is already being compared to Paxlovid already being compared to Paxlovid outside... 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The median interval between index date and date of interview was 24 days ( IQR=1729 days ) expressions. An orange, or high risk, area by the CDCs metrics, should! Our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers to non-CDC sites on the door potentially! Risk every time you step outside play a greater role in Omicron transmission occurred in 124 ( 67.8 % of!, OHegarty M, et al plans for Many still increasing and cause increased transmission infect... Want to bring back even moderate pandemic restrictions agreed upon, Roberts noted the most cautious, a park a... Might think less transmissible were the 1918 pandemic strain of flu, which had an R0! Contagious strain like BA.5 Another COVID Wave in the outbreak caused by 1! Potentially disrupting plans for Many 1918 pandemic strain of flu, which had an estimated R0 2! Living through Shanghai lockdown home COVID tests by swabbing their throat chance of severe illness from COVID-19 is low...