The rapidly spreading Omicron variant has become the dominant strain of COVID-19 recently, surpassing the Delta variant. According to the recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 73% of the cases in the US are due to the Omicron variant.
This number threatens to increase this holiday season as family gatherings and Christmas parties are bound to happen and may cause significant outbreaks. But there are ways to stay safe according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Staying safe during the Christmas holiday amidst the pandemic. (PHOTO: SciTech Daily)
6 Ways to Protect Yourself From Catching COVID-19 During the Holiday Season
Whether it is Christmas, the New Year, or any other celebrations, this holiday season poses a great risk for high COVID-19 transmission. Here are six ways to protect oneself and others from getting infected:
- Get vaccinated
- Wear face masks
- Practice physical distancing
- Cover noses and mouths when coughing or sneezing
- Wash hands regularly
- Increase ventilation by opening the windows or party outside to avoid crowded, and closed spaces
It is essential that vaccination is combined with the appropriate protective measures to limit the spread of the virus and reduce its ability to mutate into a new and more dangerous variant. This is especially helpful during getting together with family and friends or when traveling during the holidays.
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Traveling During the Holidays Amid COVID-19 Surge
CDC also released some guidelines on their Travel page to help people decide on the best thing to do for themselves and their families during this holiday season amid the surge of COVID-19 cases. The health agency specifically recommends the following:
- Make sure each family member is fully-vaccinated.
- Choose safer travel options when traveling with unvaccinated people.
- Always wear face masks on public transportation and follow international health and travel protocols.
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