COVID cases continue to rise all around the world, as the Omicron variant continues to spread. 

Omicron has proven to have milder effects and vaccinations are proven to reduce the severity of the virus.

Over the course of the holidays, thousands of flights have been cancelled to avoid the spread of both variants. Sports games have also been canceled and postponed, due to cases rising.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has advised people to avoid cruises after this spike in COVID-19 cases.

According to the CDC, they are working with state and local public health officials to monitor the spread of Omicron. As of December 20, 2021, Omicron has been detected in most states and territories and is rapidly increasing the proportion of COVID-19 cases it is causing. Current vaccines are expected to protect against severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths due to infection with the Omicron variant. With other variants, like Delta, vaccines have remained effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalizations, and death. The recent emergence of Omicron further emphasizes the importance of vaccination and boosters.

There has not been a drastic rise in deaths and hospitalization for adults, but vaccines still remain the best possible form of protection against COVID-19 and Omicron. 

However there has been a rise in hospitalizations for children. About 378 children were admitted to the hospital with COVID-19 last week, according to data published Thursday from the CDC and the US Department of Health and Human Services.

It is highly recommended that children also now get vaccinated in order to protect them from not only COVID-19, but Omicron as well. The CDC also said the Omicron variant accounted for 58.6 percent of all Covid cases in the U.S. in the week that ended Saturday, while the delta variant accounted for 41.1 percent of cases.