EYECARE: Coronavirus BRIEFING: The Latest COVID-19 Data Could Omicron Hasten the Transition From Pandemic to Endemic? By Staff Wednesday, January 5, 2022 10:03 AM The record-setting surge in COVID-19 cases nationwide—including more than 1 million new infections reported on Monday—raises questions about whether the more contagious Omicron variant will speed a transition from pandemic to endemic disease.Also, does the steep increase in number of people testing positive for coronavirus mean the United States could finally achieve a meaningful level of “herd immunity?"Infectious disease experts weigh in on these possibilities. Head over to WebMD to read the full story.