Cold vs. Flu: Know the Difference
With cold and flu season upon us, it’s important to understand the difference between cold vs. flu...
By: Reliant Urgent Care Jan 23, 2022 10:06:00 AM
A new variant has changed how the country is approaching COVID-19, but that doesn’t mean the pandemic is over. Testing and vaccination remain important tools in combating the spread of omicron, the new variant. Use this guide to get more information on the current COVID-19 picture and everything you need to know to navigate the pandemic as safely as possible.
Omicron spreads more easily than delta and previous variants of COVID-19. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, omicron can spread from those who are vaccinated and without symptoms.
There is also the risk of reinfection if you have had previous strains of the virus. Researchers are not sure how common reinfection is with this new virus, but it appears that this new variant is more likely to evade natural immunity than previous variants.
Omicron symptoms are similar to previous COVID-19 variants. The severity of those symptoms appears less intense than previous variants and in those who are vaccinated. Symptoms can then vary based on vaccination status, overall health, age, and whether someone has pre-existing conditions.
COVID-19 symptoms may include:
Some patients who come into contact with omicron are asymptomatic. For those with symptoms, those symptoms may last anywhere from several days to several weeks. Long COVID, where symptoms persist for weeks, even months after infection, is still possible with the omicron variant.
California’s economy has reopened thanks to vaccination rates across the state. There are no statewide guidelines as far as capacity restrictions or physical distancing requirements. Counties and cities throughout California have instituted their own guidelines to keep both locals and visitors safe.
Current Los Angeles County guidelines are as follows:
Some workplaces have instituted efficient return-to-work testing to allow employees to get back to work as soon as it’s safe to do so. At Reliant, we offer on-site COVID-19 testing to make testing protocols even more convenient.
Those planning travel should follow CDC guidelines updated as of Jan. 18, 2022:
Despite the number of breakthrough infections, vaccination is still the best defense against the omicron variant. Hospitalization rates decrease dramatically with vaccination, particularly among those who have had their booster shots.
Do current COVID-19 vaccines protect against the omicron variant?
Current studies have found that a booster is needed to offer protection against the omicron variant. The 3-dose mRNA combination appears to be most effective. That means getting an additional dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine will offer the most protection.
If you’re fully vaccinated and received your booster, you should still follow safety precautions that have proven to work to limit the spread of COVID-19, including omicron. Wear masks when indoors, practice good hand washing hygiene, and get tested at the first sign of symptoms or to prevent the spread before/after travel.
The federal government is currently offering 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests to each household. Get yours by filling out an online order form. You may also be near a participating retailer offering free N95 masks from the federal government. To find out where you could pick up 3 free masks, see the list of healthcare centers from the Health Resources & Services Administration.
COVID-19 testing is still available throughout Los Angeles County, including a rapid test screening location at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) from Reliant Urgent Care. If you’re looking for efficient and convenient COVID testing in Los Angeles, Reliant is here to help. The health experts at Reliant are available virtually, too. If you want to talk through any symptoms with a healthcare professional, contact us today.
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