Dr. Pedram Salimpour and Dr. Pejman Salimpour Warn Omicron Variant May Cause New COVID-19 Wave

Lockdowns and travel restrictions are once again on the rise as new variants of the COVID-19 virus, including the Omicron strain, are sweeping around the globe. In a recent conversation, Dr. Pejman Salimpour summarized the current status of COVID-19.

"Despite some people believing the worst of COVID-19 is behind us, cases in the United States are now doubling every two to three days. The most recent cause for concern is the Omicron variant, which is highly contagious and spreads rapidly. Just as the Delta variant was more contagious than the original virus, the Omicron strain is four to eight times more contagious than Delta. It's already putting a strain on hospitals, particularly in large cities where high population density increases exposure to the virus."

Researchers haven't had time to confirm the impact of the pattern of illness because Omicron has only recently been discovered in the United States. It appears that patients become sicker faster with Omicron and that symptoms start with a sore throat. Hospitals and clinics continue to monitor the spread of Omicron COVID-19 in hopes of better understanding how the virus is evolving and changing.

Dr. Pedram Salimpour, a co-founder of CareNex Health Services, recently wrote his observations about the Omicron variant and how it will affect daily life moving into the new year. "One of the biggest concerns about Omicron and other mutations of the COVID-19 virus is that each new strain responds somewhat differently to the current vaccine. All three of the current vaccines by Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson give some protection, but only at about 35%. This isn't enough protection for most people. Getting a booster improves the level of protection to about 75%, which is why we encourage everyone who can get a booster vaccine to get one."

Dr. Pedram Salimpour continued: "Fortunately, monoclonal antibodies seem also to be effective against Omicron, but again not as effective as they are against Delta and other variants. This makes it even more important for everyone to get the original series of two vaccines and get the booster as well. With proper vaccination and continued caution when traveling and interacting with others, individuals can minimize their risk of contracting the new Omicron variant."

Dr. Pejman Salimpour outlined precautions businesses should take in the wake of new variants of COVID-19 and Omicron, including:

• Encouraging employees to get the booster vaccine if their doctor advises it.

• Considering medical-grade air filters and upgrades to their ventilation systems to minimize transmission of aerosolized COVID virus.

• Encouraging or requiring masks in the workplace.

• Monitoring employee symptoms and encouraging PCR testing for COVID-19 early

• Offering early treatment to employees who test positive.

• Offering counseling and support to employees and family members who contract Omicron or any other variant of COVID-19.

Dr. Pedram Salimpour, physician, and assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine, summarized concerns about the new variant's effect on public health in this recent paper, stating, "There have been multiple variants, including Omicron, that repeatedly have set back our progress toward complete normalization. This is something that will continue. We're already seeing this in the rise in hospital admissions. Bed shortages may be on the horizon if this trend continues, much like we saw last holiday season. There's a possibility that the Omicron variant could overwhelm the healthcare system in the near future because it is so contagious, and our vaccines without boosters are only partially effective against it. Businesses should consider beginning a monitoring program for all employees to help keep them safe and stem the tide of new cases."

Dr. Pedram Salimpour noted that, while the Omicron variant is more contagious, that there seem so far to have been no deaths due to the Omicron variant in the United States. "While any strain of COVID-19 can be serious, this one doesn't seem to be as severe or life-threatening as Delta or the original COVID-19 - or perhaps that is how it appears so far because those who have contracted the disease are among the vaccinated."

Pejman Salimpour, M.D., FAAP, is a managing partner in the health care-oriented private equity group Plymouth Holdings. He is currently on many health care-related boards in the Los Angeles area. Dr. Pejman Salimpour serves as Clinical Professor at UCLA School of Medicine and was previously chief of pediatrics at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and is recipient of the Washington University School of Medicine Alumni Achievement Award. Dr. Salimpour has served on the Board of Washington University School of Medicine.

Dr. Pedram Salimpour is the co-founder of Pierce Health Solutions, an organization working to create novel health delivery systems for large organizations throughout the United States. His past positions include former president of the Los Angeles County Medical Association and member of the Governor's Healthcare Reform Task Force. He also co-founded Plymouth Health. Dr. Pedram Salimpour has served as a member of the Boston University School of Medicine Dean's Advisory Board, the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health Board of Directors, and as chairman of the board of Discovery Cube Los Angeles.