Omicron updates: COVID-19 cases could double in New York City
New York's seven-day average case rate has jumped by 43% since Thanksgiving.
As the COVID-19 pandemic has swept the globe, more than 5.3 million people have died from the disease worldwide, including over 797,000 Americans, according to real-time data compiled by Johns Hopkins University's Center for Systems Science and Engineering.
Just 60.7% of the population in the United States is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Significant case growth expected across much of US, cases could double in NYC
The PolicyLab at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia predicts "significant" case growth across much of the U.S. over the next four weeks.
According to forecasters, large metropolitan areas, particularly in the Northeast, are seeing significant case growth following Thanksgiving.
Cases in the New York City area are expected to at least double through December, the forecasters said.
Metropolitan areas in New Jersey, Delaware and North Carolina are expected to see a rapid case increase, forecasters said.
The forecasters also noted a "sudden" increase in cases in Florida in the last two weeks.
-ABC News' Arielle Mitropoulos
No deaths among 43 omicron patients in US
There have been no deaths and one hospitalization among the 43 known omicron patients in the U.S., according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
According to public health experts, early indications show omicron could cause less severe disease than prior variants, but it's still too early to say for sure. It's also possible that omicron only appears less severe because many of the people who have been infected have been vaccinated, younger adults.
-ABC News' Sony Salzman
More than 7,400 Americans admitted to hospital with COVID each day
The U.S. is now reporting more than 118,000 new cases each day -- up by nearly 85% since late October, according to federal data.
On average, more than 7,400 Americans are being admitted to the hospital with COVID-19 each day -- a nearly 16% increase in the last week, while pediatric hospital admissions have skyrocketed by more than 40%, the data shows.
More than 7,600 Americans have died from COVID-19 in the last week. West Virginia currently has the country's highest death rate, followed by Wyoming, Montana and Tennessee.
-ABC News' Arielle Mitropoulos
Masks or proof of vaccination required in all indoor public places in New York
Masks will now be required in all indoor public places in New York state unless the business or venue requires proof of full vaccination, Gov. Kathy Hochul said Friday.
The new measure takes effect Monday and lasts until at least Jan. 15 as the state tries to disrupt a winter surge.
New York's seven-day average case rate has jumped by 43% since Thanksgiving, according to the governor's office.
"We shouldn't have reached the point where we are confronted with a winter surge, especially with the vaccine at our disposal, and I share many New Yorkers' frustration that we are not past this pandemic yet," Hochul said in a statement. "I want to thank the more than 80 percent of New Yorkers who have done the right thing to get fully vaccinated. If others will follow suit, these measures will no longer be necessary."