Has Omicron Peaked?

I've dedicated the last few evenings to Winter Olympics viewing.

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By Anisa Arsenault, Associate Editorial Director I've dedicated the last few evenings to Winter Olympics viewing. The treacherous alpine downhill skiing course, in particular, drew my attention, starting at the summit of a 7,149-foot peak and proving too much of a challenge for several athletes. But that's not the peak I'm here to talk about today. It's time to talk about Omicron. Today's Top Story Predicting Omicron's Outlook COVID-19 cases are on the decline in the U.S., hopefully marking the end of an Omicron surge that began in December.   Case counts peaked around January 15, as did hospitalizations. Still, COVID cases and hospitalization rates are still higher than this time last year. Most of those hospitalizations are among unvaccinated people.   The good news? People who contract Omicron are typically faring much better than those who contracted COVID-19 earlier in the pandemic. Ventilator use is at an all-time low. Know More COVID trends in the U.S. tend to mirror those in the U.K., but on a two-week lag time. Feel Better Based on what happened in the U.K., COVID-19 related deaths in the U.S.—which have not yet peaked—could level off this week. READ MORE When we look at COVID-19 cases on a per capita level, the similarities between the Omicron waves in the U.S. and the U.K. become clear. Medicare Changes Its Tune Remember how ridiculous it seemed that people on Medicare couldn't receive free at-home COVID tests? Well, they can now. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the change on Thursday, following criticism from legislators and advocates for older adults. People enrolled in Medicare will be able to get up to eight free FDA-authorized home tests per month at pharmacies and other participating locations (rather than filing for reimbursement). However, this won't go into effect until early spring. READ MORE How Many Times Can You Rewear a Mask? Surgical masks should only be worn one time. But more and more people are wearing pricier N95 respirators these days, in part because they provide the best protection against Omicron. While N95s are disposable, you can use them more than once. One study found that in a lab setting, N95s could be sanitized and reused up to 25 times. In practice, they probably won't last you as long. Once you can no longer feel a tight seal or it becomes more difficult to breathe, it's time to replace your mask. READ MORE   In Other News   ■ What Do Olympic Athletes Eat? Everyday Health     ■ Visions of the Internet in 2035. Pew Research Center     ■ Screening After Brother's Heart Attack Saves Man's Life. Akron Beacon Journal SPONSORED BY NOVARTIS Learn How David and His Family Prioritized Heart Health READ NOW  › More From Verywell Cancer Screenings: Which You Might Need READ MORE Being Dual Eligible for Medicare and Medicaid READ MORE How Long Does a Flu Shot Last? READ MORE   How'd we do? If you have any feedback, send us a note at   feedback@verywell.com.       You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the Verywell Health newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here.   A DOTDASH MEREDITH BRAND 28 Liberty Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY, 10005   © 2021 verywellhealth.com - All rights reserved. Privacy Policy