In a very short time, the highly infectious Omicron COVID-19 variant has upended many aspects of our lives. Both California and Sacramento County are seeing record numbers of infections and testing is in great demand. Statewide, the positivity rate is over 21%. Luckily, Omicron appears to cause milder illness in many people. At UC Davis Medical Center, COVID-related hospitalizations have ticked up, but remain below previous surge peaks.
UC Davis Health infectious diseases experts, epidemiologists and public health experts answer common questions about Omicron and explain what you can do to reduce your risk.
1. What are the symptoms of Omicron? Are they different?
All of the variants, including Delta and Omicron, cause similar symptoms. "These may include cough, fever and fatigue," explained Dean Blumberg, chief of pediatric infectious diseases at UC Davis Children's Hospital. "Omicron is less likely to cause severe disease such as pneumonia that may require hospital admission."
Lorena Garcia, epidemiologist and professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences noted that Omicron symptoms are about the same, but a person's experience may vary greatly depending on whether they're vaccinated. "In those that are fully vaccinated and boosted, symptoms tend to be mild. In contrast, if an individual is unvaccinated, symptoms can be quite severe, resulting in hospitalization or even death," Garcia said. She added that there is some evidence that fewer people infected with Omicron are experiencing a loss of taste and smell, a common symptom for previous variants.
The viral load is much higher in Omicron, which means that someone infected with the Omicron variant is more infectious than someone infected with the Delta variant." -Lorena Garcia
2. What should I do if I can't get a COVID test?
The rapid increase in demand has made testing more challenging. "If possible, check different testing sites and try to be flexible in terms of when and where you are willing to go," Blumberg recommended.
If you're seeking a test, please seek options other than the Emergency Department (ED). UC Davis Medical Center's ED has seen a record number of patients recently, and providers need to care for those who are seriously ill. The ED is not the best fit for someone with no symptoms or mild symptoms.
"If you have COVID-19 symptoms, it is better to err on the side of caution and quarantine until you can get tested," advised Brad Pollock, professor and chair of the Department of Public Health Sciences. "If you have symptoms, the rapid antigen at-home tests are also useful to determine whether you're infectious. Even better, use rapid tests on two consecutive days to reduce the chance of transmitting the infection to others."
Learn more about the different types of COVID-19 tests available.
3. Should I get a rapid antigen test if I have symptoms since they seem like they're not as accurate, or should I look first to get a PCR test?
"If a rapid test is more available or convenient, it's a good idea to use it," Blumberg said. "If it's positive, you can rely on the result." However, he notes that if the rapid test is negative, particularly if you suspect infection, it's best to get a PCR test to double-check since the PCR test is more sensitive.
4. Do I really need to know if I had COVID if it's not causing serious illness?
Yes. UC Davis Health experts say it's important to know for several reasons:
- If your illness progresses, you'll want to know so you can take advantage of treatments.
- You need to know whether to isolate so you can reduce your chances of infecting others, especially those who are more vulnerable to severe COVID-19.
- You will want to notify your loved ones and contacts so they can monitor themselves for symptoms.
"We all have a personal responsibility to reduce the risk to others, especially the more vulnerable among us," Pollock said.
Omicron is less likely to cause severe disease such as pneumonia that may require hospital admission." -Dean Blumberg
5. If I'm vaccinated and have no symptoms, but believe I was exposed to someone with COVID-19, should I get tested?
Most likely. "Unfortunately, Omicron is so transmissible that even fully vaccinated and boosted individuals may get infected," Pollock explained. "If you know you had contact with an infected individual, particularly in a higher-risk situation (such as an enclosed indoor space for a longer period with others who weren't masked), testing is advised."
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends
