Washington: US pandemic Advisor Anthony Fauci on Sunday said that US is experiencing almost a vertical increase in Covid – 19 cases as the Omicron variant sweeps the country, but the peak may be only weeks away.

Speaking to the media Anthony Fauci said that we are definitely in the middle of a very severe surge and uptick in cases calling the soaring infection rate really unprecedented. More than 440,000 new cases were reported in the US on Friday, almost exactly 200,000 more than during a peak in February – 2021. The experience of South Africa where the strain was first detected in late November and peaked quickly, then subsided almost as quickly offered some hope, he said.

The US like other countries, has been struggling to find a balance that will protect public health without gravely damaging the economy or slamming key services like policing and air travel. With children set to return to school from Monday onwards, following the year end break, both Fauci and the US education secretary said they thought in-person instruction can be conducted safely if proper precautions are taken.

Fauci again pleaded with parents to be sure their children are vaccinated, wear masks and get tested if need. US Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said the return to the classroom would be challenging, but necessary. So we are going to roll up our sleeves, all hands on deck, let’s keep our children in the classroom. That should be our default thinking, he said.