Omicron cases double overnight: Variant is now confirmed in 44 states

The number of confirmed Omicron cases in the US has nearly doubled in a period of 24 hours, with the variant now confirmed in all but six states.

As of Saturday morning, there were 830 cases of Omicron confirmed by DNA sequencing across the country, a 97 percent increase from Friday morning’s tally.

In reality, the true number of Omicron cases is much higher, as only 1 to 2 percent of all cases are sequenced for variant markers.

The CDC estimates that Omicron accounts for at least 13 percent of all new cases in New York, which on Friday recorded its highest single-day tally of new COVID-19 cases ever at 21,027. 

Testing has now confirmed the presence of Omicron in every US state except for Oklahoma, Montana, North and South Dakota, Indiana, and Vermont, though the eventual arrival of the highly transmissible variant in every state seems assured. 

Highly vaccinated states in the northeast seem to be struggling the most at the moment, as cold weather, waning immunity and the new variant all contribute to a new case surge. 

In Connecticut, 74 percent of the population is fully vaccinated, one of the highest rates in America. The state has also seen its Covid situation spiral out of control in recent weeks. New cases are up 162 percent over the past two weeks, with 72 out of every 100,000 residents testing positive for the virus every day.

Rhode Island currently has the highest Covid rate in America, with 99 out of every 100,000 residents testing positive for the virus every day – up 63 percent over the past two weeks. It is also the second most vaccinated state in America with 75 percent residents fully jabbed.

The most vaccinated state in America is Vermont, where 76 percent of residents are fully immunized. The state is experiencing a surge of its own still, though, with 69 out of every 100,000 residents being infected everyday.

To credit the vaccine, though, deaths in all three states have remained low despite recent case surges. 

Other nearby states like Massachusetts, Maine and New Hampshire, all with more than 70 percent of their populations fully vaccinated, are dealing with cases surges as well.

‘I think the only thing that it can come down to is behaviors and waning immunity,’ Dr Chris Thompson, an infectious disease expert at Loyola University of Maryland, told DailyMail.com about the increasing rate of infections in highly vaccinated states.

‘So the boosters will help to overcome the waning immunity and it’s up to us to become vigilant about those behaviors of handwashing, masking, social distancing, testing, vaccinations and those sorts of things. 

‘[There are] also colder temperatures up there, so people are probably gathered together more indoors again, and that gathering can can lead to easier spread, especially with Omicron.’

New York and New Jersey have become early Omicron hubs. According to CDC data, around 13 percent of sequenced cases in the states are of the new strain.

Cases in New York have increased by 75 percent over the past two weeks, and the state is also among the nation’s leaders in Omicron cases sequenced, with 59 confirmed in the state. 

The Omicron coronavirus variant has been reported in 89 countries and the number of cases is doubling in 1.5 to 3 days in areas with community transmission, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Saturday.

Omicron is spreading rapidly in countries with high levels of population immunity, but it is unclear if this is due to the virus’ ability to evade immunity, its inherent increased transmissibility or a combination of both, the WHO said in an update.

The agency designated Omicron a variant of concern on Nov. 26, soon after it was first detected, and much is still not known about it, including the severity of the illness it causes.

‘There are still limited data on the clinical severity of Omicron,’ the WHO said. ‘More data are needed to understand the severity profile and how severity is impacted by vaccination and pre-existing immunity.’

It added, ‘There are still limited available data, and no peer-reviewed evidence, on vaccine efficacy or effectiveness to date for Omicron’.

The WHO warned that with cases rising so rapidly, hospitals could be overwhelmed in some places.

‘Hospitalizations in the UK and South Africa continue to rise, and given rapidly increasing case counts, it is possible that many healthcare systems may become quickly overwhelmed.’

Radio City’s Rockettes CANCEL all remaining shows, dozens of restaurants close and Broadway is paralyzed as NYC becomes America’s Omicron epicenter

The world-famous Rockettes have been forced to cancel the remainder of their Christmas Spectacular shows at Radio City Music Hall after production members were hit with COVID-19 on Friday as cases in New York City continue to climb.

In news that has cast a distinctive chill over New York City, producers announced that the final curtain had fallen for the $100-million-a-season show. 

‘We regret that we are unable to continue the Christmas Spectacular this season due to increasing challenges from the pandemic,’ a press release stated.  

The Rockettes, who have been a beloved holiday staple enjoyed by kids and adults since 1933, are the latest not be able to return to the stage anytime soon because of the resurgence of the virus and the new Omicron variant.   

People stand in front of Radio City Music Hall after cancellations of The Rockettes performance due to COVID-19 cases on Friday in New York. New York City it witnessing a surge in COVID cases

A screen shows the cancellations of the Rockettes performance due to COVID-19 cases

New York’s governor, Kathy Hochul, on Friday stressed that she had no intention of enforcing another lockdown, saying that her job was about protecting both New Yorkers’ health and economy.

She urged tourists to continue to visit the nation’s biggest city, and said New Yorkers should continue to live their everyday lives – albeit vaccinated, boosted, and respecting mask mandates. 

Yet restaurants and bars – barometers of the city’s vitality – were taking matters into their own hands and closing on their own accord. Several said they were closing because COVID among staff meant they did not have enough employees to serve their customers.

New Yorkers, anticipating one of the most socially active weekends of the year, were left with empty calendars as plans were rapidly cancelled amid rising COVID concern. 

Earlier on Friday, the production team behind the Rockettes said it was canceling just its Friday shows.

‘We regret to announce that the four shows scheduled for today, Friday, December 17 have been canceled due to breakthrough COVID-19 cases in the production,’ they said on Friday afternoon. 

‘We apologize for the inconvenience, and will make announcements about future shows as soon as possible,’ MSG Entertainment said in a statement. 

They later announced the cancellation of all shows. 

The Rockettes cancelled their Christmas Spectacular performances at Radio City Music Hall on Friday after the show had breakthrough COVID-19 cases

People talk with the staff member of Radio City Music Hall after cancellations of the Rockettes performance due to COVID-19 cases

The news comes as a heavy blow to the theatre industry.

It was unclear how many tickets had been sold, but the theatre had a seating capacity of almost 6,000, and four shows could be performed a day. 

In 2019, the show’s eight-week run grossed about $100 million. It was cancelled in 2020.

Broadway only reopened in September, and was hoping for a successful Christmas season to go some way to compensating for the devastation of 2020 and the first half of 2021.

In a typical year, tourists account for 65 per cent of Broadway ticket sales, CNBC reported.

Tourists also provide a huge boost to the city’s economy as a whole, spending on transportation, food and hotels. 

Frequent cancellations, especially during the peak holiday season, could deter these travelers from scooping up tickets for fear that the performance will get called off before curtain time. 

For a show bringing in $1 million a week, each canceled performance would turn to a loss of about $125,000. 

The Christmas Spectacular is not the only production that has fallen victim to COVID.

Major Broadway shows including Hamilton, Moulin Rouge The Musical, Tina – The Tina Turner Musical, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and Ain’t Too Proud were forced to go dark this week after at least one of the members of the cast or crew tested positive for the virus, ABC 7 News reported.  

The Radio City Rockettes are the longest-running precision dance company in the U.S. 

Founded in 1925 in St. Louis, Missouri, they have performed at Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan since 1932.

The 90-minute show features more than 140 performers and an original musical score, and combines singing, dancing, and humor with traditional scenes. 

The popular production has been performed since 1933 when the Music Hall presented lavish live stage shows along with the latest Hollywood feature films.

Tickets for Friday performances, which were scheduled for 11 am, 2pm, 5pm and 8pm will be refunded at the original point of purchase, the statement added.   

Disappointed fans could be seen outside the venue getting their refunds, including one tourist who broke down in tears on he sidewalk out of frustration.

‘It just feels like we’re back at the start of the pandemic and my anxiety is really bad,’ she told Fox 5. 

‘It feels like I have nowhere to go that’s safe and shows keep getting cancelled.’