90% Of RI COVID-19 Cases Estimated To Be Omicron

PROVIDENCE, RI — The end of the current COVID-19 surge may be in sight, the director of the Rhode Island Department of Health said Wednesday. As the omicron variant overtakes the delta variant, the number of hospitalizations and severe illness could start to fall in the coming weeks.

Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott said that about 90 percent of the COVID-19 cases in the state are believed to be the omicron variant, a big shift from just a few weeks ago, when delta was the prevalent variant. Because omicron infections tend to cause less cases of severe illness than delta, it's possible that Rhode Island could be reaching the peak of the current surge, she said.

"We could be reaching our peak for cases and hospitalizations," Alexander-Scott said. "These are unprecedented numbers that we never would have imagined last year."

While cases of omicron tend to be milder, the "sheer number" of cases caused by its high transmissibility means that hospitalizations remain high.

For that reason, the doctor urged Rhode Islanders to "keep our foot on the gas" when it comes to COVID-19 prevention, making sure to wear a high-quality mask around others, keep close contacts limited and, most importantly, get a COVID-19 vaccine and booster, if eligible.

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