New York state on Monday recorded 54,749 new COVID-19 circumstances, marking an obvious stabilization of the virus, with 51,698 circumstances recorded the earlier Monday.
Kathy Hochul, the governor of New York, gave rise to hope that maybe the Omicron surge has plateaued in her state, because it has in the UK.
In South Africa, the place it was first detected, the outbreak has peaked and is now quickly declining.
The variety of hospitalizations and deaths was nonetheless growing, nonetheless - a pure consequence of the prior surge of circumstances.
On Monday, Hochul confirmed 12,022 hospitalizations - an increase from the 9,563 reported final Monday.
She reported 135 deaths in her state; a rise from the 103 individuals who died final Monday.
'We have now the instruments to combat this winter surge, and the way shortly we flip the nook will rely on our actions,' mentioned Hochul.
'Please get your second dose if you have not already, and get the booster for those who're eligible.
'Mother and father and guardians, please get your youngsters vaccinated.
'Put on a masks to assist cease the unfold, and keep residence for those who aren't feeling properly.
'Let's study from the teachings of the previous and at last put this winter surge behind us.'
Nationwide, the image was much less encouraging - however with New York the frequent bellwether, there was nonetheless hope.
The US reported no less than 1.13 million new coronavirus infections on Monday, in line with a Reuters tally - the very best each day whole of any nation on the earth.
The earlier document was 1.03 million circumstances on January 3.
Numerous circumstances are reported every Monday on account of many states not reporting over the weekend.
The seven-day common for brand spanking new circumstances has tripled in two weeks to over 700,000 new infections a day.
Not all states have but reported on Monday and the ultimate determine is more likely to be even increased.
The document in new circumstances got here the identical day because the nation noticed the variety of hospitalized COVID-19 sufferers additionally hit an all-time excessive, having doubled in three weeks, in line with a Reuters tally.
There have been greater than 135,500 folks hospitalized with COVID, surpassing the document of 132,051 set in January final 12 months.
Whereas the Omicron variant is probably much less extreme, well being officers have warned that the sheer variety of infections might pressure hospital methods, a few of which have already suspended elective procedures as they wrestle to deal with the rise in sufferers and employees shortages.
The surge in circumstances has disrupted colleges, that are scuffling with absences of employees, academics and bus drivers. Chicago canceled lessons for a fourth day because the district and academics didn't agree on the right way to take care of elevated infections.
New York Metropolis suspended service on three subway traces on account of a lot of employees out sick, in line with its Twitter account. Corporations' plans for employees to return to workplace have additionally been derailed.
Deaths are averaging 1,700 per day, up from about 1,400 in current days however inside ranges seen earlier this winter.
A redesigned COVID-19 vaccine that particularly targets the Omicron variant is probably going wanted, Pfizer Inc's CEO mentioned on Monday, including his firm might have one able to launch by March.
