WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress’ prime physician urged lawmakers on Monday to maneuver to a “maximal telework posture,” citing surging numbers of COVID-19 circumstances on the Capitol that he mentioned are principally breakthrough infections of individuals already vaccinated.
The seven-day common price of an infection on the Capitol’s testing heart has risen from lower than 1% to greater than 13%, Brian P. Monahan, the attending doctor, wrote in a letter to congressional leaders obtained by The Related Press.
Monahan mentioned there was “an unprecedented variety of circumstances within the Capitol neighborhood affecting a whole bunch of people.” In what he mentioned was restricted sampling as of Dec. 15, about 61% of the circumstances had been the brand new, extremely contagious omicron variant whereas 38% had been the delta variant.
READ MORE: Do at-home COVID-19 checks detect the omicron variant?
Whereas offering no determine, he mentioned “most” of the circumstances are breakthroughs.
Whereas such circumstances haven’t led to any deaths or hospitalizations amongst vaccinated lawmakers or congressional workers, he mentioned even delicate infections can result in six to 12 months of “lengthy COVID.” A “cheap estimate” is that 6% to 10% of circumstances might find yourself that approach, he added.
Monahan urged congressional workplaces to “scale back in-person conferences and in-office actions to the utmost extent potential.”
And he mentioned carrying a correctly fitted, medical grade KN95 or higher masks is “a important necessity until the person is alone in a closed workplace area or consuming or ingesting in a meals service space.”