At least 60,000 Americans could die of Covid by the time Omicron variant

At least 60,000 Americans could die of Covid by the time Omicron variant
At least 60,000 Americans could die of Covid by the time Omicron variant

While it is starting to appear that the Omicron COVID-19 wave could be nearing its end, one model projects a grim future ahead for the United States, modeling that 58,000 to 305,000 more Americans will succumb to the virus over the next two months.

Projections shared during a White House briefing Tuesday estimate that between up to 305,000 Americans could die from Covid between now and when the wave is expected to subside by mid-March.

This likely would bring America's overall Covid death total - sitting at over 853,000 as of Tuesday afternoon - over one million, a mark no other country in the world has reached.

The projection comes despite the growing data that the Omicron variant is less severe than its predecessors. Data revealed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week showed that a person infected with Omicron is 91 percent less likely to die than a person who contracted Delta.

Dr Rochelle Walensky, director of the CDC, said last week that the Delta variant was even still responsible for the recent uptick in deaths suffered by the U.S. despite making up a minimal proportion of cases. According to data released by the agency Tuesday, the Omicron variant makes up 99.5 percent of active cases in America.

A projection revealed by the White House on Tuesday estimates that between 58,000 and 305,000 Americans will die between now and when the Omicron-fueled Covid wave subsides in a few months. If the more grim expectations prove to be correct then the U.S. will likely eclipse one million total deaths early this year. Pictured: Health care workers in Los Angeles, California, cover the body of a deceased Covid patient on December 14

A projection revealed by the White House on Tuesday estimates that between 58,000 and 305,000 Americans will die between now and when the Omicron-fueled Covid wave subsides in a few months. If the more grim expectations prove to be correct then the U.S. will likely eclipse one million total deaths early this year. Pictured: Health care workers in Los Angeles, California, cover the body of a deceased Covid patient on December 14

The CDC reports that the Omicron variant (purple) makes up 99.5% of Covid cases in the U.S., while Delta (orange) only makes up 0.3%. Last week, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said Delta was still responsible for increases in America's Covid mortality.

The CDC reports that the Omicron variant (purple) makes up 99.5% of Covid cases in the U.S., while Delta (orange) only makes up 0.3%. Last week, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said Delta was still responsible for increases in America's Covid mortality.

The seven-day rolling average for daily new COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. has been trending upward since mid-November, reaching nearly 1,700 on January 17 - still below the peak of 3,300 in January 2021. 

Cases have rocketed in recent weeks, reaching 800,000 daily cases on average earlier this week. Testing shortages, the

read more from dailymail.....

NEXT Health service initiative offers patients a chance to see a GP on the same day ... trends now