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January 24, 2022
Omicron is shattering pandemic case records. Experts predict it will infect half of Europe within two months. Currently, three times more Americans are testing positive than during last winter’s peak. But the somewhat good news is that a new study out of California confirmed what other countries have found: Omicron is only about half as likely to lead to hospitalization as previous variants.
Despite that encouraging fact, U.S. hospitals are still extremely strained and understaffed, so if you’re a travel nurse looking to pick up some work, you can take your pick of travel nursing jobs around the country.
Here’s more in what’s happening with COVID across the country, along with travel nurse job postings.
Interested in assignments in COVID-impacted areas? Start here.
According to the CDC’s weekly data, COVID cases have exploded since last week, up 85% from last count.
Here’s what’s going on:
Hospitalizations have been steadily rising since Omicron appeared. While case severity may be lower with this variant, hospitalizations have still increased, according to the CDC. In fact, there are more Americans hospitalized now than at any prior point during the pandemic.
While Omicron isn’t causing complications as severe as some other variants, there are still many patients being hospitalized who are testing positive for Omicron. That means, the Atlantic reports, hospitals are still really struggling with a record number of patients who have been affected by the coronavirus in some way.
The New York Times COVID map and tracker reports that urban Northeastern areas of the country, including New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island, have the highest number of cases in the country at the moment.
Hospitalization rates are still going up, which means that travel nursing positions are plentiful. From MICU/SICU to emergency room to Med/Surg, here are some of the current travel nursing positions available:
Speak with a recruiter about available assignments in COVID-impacted areas today.
Despite high levels of vaccination in the U.S., breakthrough infections can still happen. However, the vaccine is meant to prevent serious illness, hospitalization, and death.
According to the CDC, 208 million people in the U.S. have now been fully vaccinated. Here’s how the current vaccine numbers stack up:
The CDC recommends you receive a booster dose of the vaccine if you received or Moderna at least six months ago and you are:
On Jan 4, the CDC also shortened the time interval for the Pfizer-BioNTech booster from 6 to 5 months, so you can now receive a Pfizer-BioNTech booster if you received your original vaccination series at least 5 months ago.
The CDC now also recommends that moderately or severely immunocompromised 5-to-11-year-olds receive a booster dose (the same as the primary dose) of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine 28 days after their second shot.
Boosters are recommended for anyone 18+ who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine two or months ago.
Remember, mixed booster doses are approved, so you’re free to choose which type of booster you want.
COVID does seem like it’s everywhere right now. But according to experts, the booster isn’t a waste of time and, in fact, may prepare your body to better fight off Omicron.
Interested in assignments in COVID-impacted areas? Start here.
