According to AARP, Omicron is much more concerning than many people are led to believe. In fact, the number of deaths caused by the variant spiked in the United States, from around 1,100 a day last November to 3,000 a day in mid-January.

Unfortunately, one thing remains the same —senior citizens seem to be “shouldering the burden” of the disease. With symptoms “all over the map” it can be difficult to describe. Plus, it seems Omicron is exacerbating underlying symptoms.

However, one thing is for sure — the better vaccinated an individual is, the more likely that person is to have very mild symptoms, noted Robert Wachter, M.D., professor, and chair of the Department of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco.

While maintaining health and safety is important, it’s essential to remember that mental and emotional health also matters. Staying connected with others is a great way to combat any loneliness and isolation individuals can feel as they continue to socially distance themselves.