7-day average of new daily cases have risen to 253,245 as of Tuesday, marking a new high, surpassing 248,209 cases on January 12 due to the Omicron variant.

Omicron, although known to be less deadly than the Delta variant, is known to be more infectious. With loosening regulations across the country, the season and time period. Omicron has had an easier time spreading across the U.S. in much faster period than with the original coronavirus or with the Delta.

Many businesses have applauded the government’s efforts to reduce the quarantine time from 10 days to 5 days, but the president of the largest nursing union expects this will boost the number of Omicron infections.