In smaller island states, some 🏥 hospitals were already strained by cases of the Delta variant, and now more hospitals face the prospect of being overwhelmed with cases – @DirOPSPAHO #COVID19

🌎 This new wave of infections won’t be “mild” for our health systems, as the Omicron variant is already challenging our health workforce and limiting care for other diseases – @DirOPSPAHO #COVID19

🌎 And while Delta is still causing new infections in the region of the Americas, based on current trends, Omicron is on track to become the dominant strain in our region. It also has led to a rise in re-infections, even among those who are fully vaccinated @DirOPSPAHO #COVID19

@DirOPSPAHO 🌎 Some countries are already experiencing widespread community transmission as Omicron spreads more quickly than other detected variants, and more likely via airborne transmission in closed spaces – @DirOPSPAHO #COVID19

Today, all eyes are on Omicron, which has reached nearly every country in the world. 35 countries and territories in all subregions of the Americas, North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean, have already detected the Omicron variant – @DirOPSPAHO #COVID19 twitter.com/pahowho/status…

COVID-19 🏥 hospitalizations are also up throughout Brazil, particularly in densely populated states around the central and eastern parts of the country. In Argentina and Paraguay, COVID-19 infections have increased by nearly 300% over the last week – @DirOPSPAHO

Further south, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, and Brazil are experiencing significant ⬆️ increases in new cases – @DirOPSPAHO #COVID19

In the Caribbean, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic are reporting the highest numbers of new infections, although other islands like Jamaica, Aruba, Curaçao, and Martinique are also seeing significant jumps in COVID-19 cases- @DirOPSPAHO

@DirOPSPAHO The US is reporting the bulk of new cases, where its eastern and midwestern states are experiencing a rapid surge. In Canada, cases are also picking up speed in its eastern provinces – @DirOPSPAHO #COVID19

🌎 Infections are accelerating across every corner of the region of the Americas, and once again, our health systems are being challenged as emergency room visits and hospitalizations are rising – @DirOPSPAHO #COVID19 twitter.com/pahowho/status…