The Omicron varient of SARS-CoV-2 virus is now the dominant strain in the US.
Althought less virulent than Delta, it is more contagious and new cases of infections are rising throughout the US. The death toll is also rising andCOVID-19 is now considered to be
the third leading cause of death in the US. This chart shows the trend in infections. Scientist expect that COVID-19 will become endemic eventually, akin to the flu or common cold but only after the organism has adapted to its host immune system for several years.
Is a virus alive? Not according to NASA's definition of life. Viruses reproduce, a key function of life, but only by hijacking the systems of a eukaryrote. It has neither nucleus or organelles to perform internal metabolism. It does adapt to its environment as we have unfortunately seen happen during the pandemic.The truth is that viruses lie in a gray zone of the tree of life, and may be the first extraterrestrial organisms discovered by man. Cuidado!