The U.S. Omicron wave may be peaking, but now COVID deaths are climbing as cases continue to soar in most of the country. By the numbers: The U.S. is now averaging just under 1,900 deaths per day — a 42% increase over the past two weeks. The Omicron wave swept through South Africa and the U.K. quickly, and now appears to be following a similar trajectory in the U.S.Omicron is far less deadly than its predecessors. A smaller proportion of infected people become severely ill, and a smaller proportion die from the virus. And deaths may continue to rise, trailing consistently behind a surge in cases that's still going on.
