What the CDC is Doing to Slow the Spread of Omicron in the U.S.

A new variant of COVID-19, called Omicron, was first reported on November 24, 2021, and has been designated a variant of concern. Mutations in Omicron might increase transmissibility, confer resistance to therapeutics, or partially escape infection- or vaccine-induced immunity. This report by the CDC summarizes U.S. surveillance for variants and public health measures implemented to slow the spread of Omicron in the United States. Implementation of concurrent prevention strategies, including vaccination, masking, increasing ventilation, testing, quarantine, and isolation, are recommended to slow transmission of COVID-19, including variants such as Omicron, and to protect against severe illness and death from COVID-19.