Omicron Variant Is 'Extraordinarily Contagious'; Will 'Take Over' US, Fauci Warns

The highly contagious Omicron variant, first discovered in South Africa, could displace the Delta variant and become the dominant strain in the United States, health experts have warned. According to the experts, Omicron may put even more burden on an already battered health care system.

Jonathan Reiner, a professor of medicine and surgery at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences and a medical analyst for CNN, on Saturday warned that the U.S. may see a “tsunami” of Omicron cases among unvaccinated Americans this winter.

However, he said getting vaccinated against the virus would protect people from severe illnesses and hospitalizations.

"This Omicron variant is extraordinarily contagious. It's as contagious as measles, and that's about the most contagious virus that we've seen," Reiner said, adding: "Our vaccines will protect you, particularly if you are triple vaxed. People who are unvaxed should start the process now. Go ahead and go to your pharmacy and get vaccinated."

Reiner also urged Americans to remain vigilant to prevent the health care system from getting “swamped” with COVID-19 patients.

More than 69,000 people are currently hospitalized with COVID-19 in the U.S. In Intensive Care Units, at least 20% of beds are occupied by coronavirus patients, according to data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Reiner’s comments were later echoed by White House chief medical adviser and the nation’s top infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci who warned that the Omicron variant could replace Delta as the dominant strain in the country.

"It's going to take over," Fauci said on CNN’s “State of the Union,” noting that the variant already accounts for 50% of cases reported in parts of the country.

Omicron cases are doubling every 1.5 to 3 days, a report from the World Health Organization showed. The U.S. has also recorded an average of over 120,000 COVID-19 cases daily, up from over 70,000 new infections recorded in November, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

Despite the possible surge, Fauci said he does not foresee another lockdown in response to the spread of the Omicron variant.

Health officials reported the first case of the Omicron variant in the U.S. on Dec. 1. It has since been found in at least 45 states.