THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021 Page 9 PANDEMIC | FROM Page 7 competes with the Delta variant. We will have to watch what the balance between Delta and Omicron will be.” Dr. George Abraham, chief of medicine at Saint Vincent Hospital, said he was not surprised by the detection of Omicron and the previous strains. “We have predicted and long suspected that we would see variants,” he said. “The variants pop up in parts of the world where there have been the lowest levels of vaccination.” Abraham also said Omicron may not be that troublesome in the long-term. “Based on preliminary data from our South African colleagues, the number of cases has risen dramatically, about 700-fold, but the number of hospitalizations, serious illnesses and deaths have not increased signifi cantly,” he said. “This suggests that there might be overall mild disease associated with this variant as opposed to severe disease.” In addition, Abraham said he trusts the efficacy of the vaccines. “We know the vaccines work reasonably well, generating what’s called virus-specifi c antibodies. But they also generate what’s called a polyclonal response,” he said. “That means it may also work against some viruses in the same family. Right now we need to determine how well our vaccines work against this variant.” Dr. Shira Doron, an Infectious Disease physician and epidemiologist at Tufts Medical Center, said Delta continues to attract a great deal of attention. “Delta is a major threat in Massachusetts and for the time being, a far greater one. We do not yet know if Omicron is more deadly, more transmissible or more easily evades immunity than Delta,” she said. “If it does any of those things and if it manages to outcompete Delta and become predominant, then it could mean a worse winter than what we are already facing. What everyone should do now is get vaccinated if they have not received the vaccine. If eligible for a booster, now is the time to get one.” Dr. Daniel Kuritzkes, chief of the Infectious Diseases Division at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, shared a diff erent opinion, saying it is likely that Omicron is already in Massachusetts. “I’m sure it’s here,” he said. Kuritzkes said he was very surprised to learn that the new variant had been detected in Australia, which has extremely tight COVID-19 restrictions. “It’s highly mutated,” he said of Omicron. “This is why people need to get vaccinated.” ~ Under New Ownership! ~ Robert’s Restaurant 251 Broadway, Rte. 99, Malden * (781) 397-0628 Hours: 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM Family-owned & Operated The BEST Breakfast & Lunch for 32 Years! Hungry Man New Yorker Breakfast Specials Bacon, Homefries, Toast $8.15 + Tax 3 Eggs, Sausage & $8.15 + Tax 3 Eggs, Sausage & Bacon, Homefries, & Toasted Bagel with Cream Cheese Baked Chicken & Spanish Rice $12.95 + Tax $7.00 + Tax Delicious Lunch Specials American Chop Suey OUR DOORS ARE OPEN The PETER A. ROSSETTI INSURANCE AGENCY would like to thank our customers for their patience and loyalty during these challenging times. will continue to practice social distancing and requiring masks. 436 Lincoln Ave, Saugus * (781) 233-1855 * www.rossettiinsurance.com Like us on Facebook advocate newspaper Facebook.com/Advocate.news.ma
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