More Chicago residents are seeing breakthrough COVID-19 cases from the omicron variant, though data shows vaccines continue to provide a level of protection, according to the city's top doctor.
"The good news is that the vaccine is still highly protective against infection," said Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady. "Although, yes, we are seeing more breakthroughs with the omicron variant."
Arwady noted that unvaccinated residents remain at the biggest risk for COVID with most patients hospitalized for severe illness reporting that they have not received the vaccine.
Similarly, the type of symptoms associated with the new omicron variant depend on vaccination status, according to Arwady.
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The omicron variant isn't necessarily bringing with it a new set of symptoms, she said, but with vaccines now widely available, many are experiencing milder cases, if vaccinated.
"The symptoms that we're seeing are not different with omicron than they were with delta, than they were with the original. It's just that we are seeing more what we call breakthrough infections," Arwady said Wednesday. "So the vaccines continue to protect, but not as well against infection, although they continue to protect beautifully against severe illness."
Arwady said that now, those who are fully vaccinated aren't necessarily getting "seriously ill and having fevers for days and difficult breathing," but are instead experiencing a more mild illness.
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"They may only feel like they have a cold," she said. "That's good because they're not getting seriously sick, they're not threatening the healthcare system, but it's certainly of some concern because they do have the potential to transmit to others."
The unvaccinated, however, are experiencing similar symptoms to early on in the pandemic, Arwady said.
"People who are unvaccinated present in the same way: fevers, cough, chills, shortness of breath," she said.
Arwady's comments echo those of other medical experts who are watching omicron cases.
Dr. Katherine Poehling, an infectious disease specialist and member of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, told NBC News last week that a cough, congestion, runny nose and fatigue appear to be prominent symptoms with the omicron variant. But unlike delta, many patients are not losing their taste or smell.
The evidence so far, according to Poehling, is anecdotal and not based on scientific research. She noted also that these symptoms may only reflect certain populations.
Still, CDC data showed the most common symptoms so far are cough, fatigue, congestion and a runny nose.
Overall, the symptoms for COVID reported by the CDC include:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
In Chicago, average daily COVID cases were up to 3,825 on Wednesday, which is up 63% from last week, according to the latest data. Hospitalizations were also up 28% over the last seven days.
