really take over of the omicron variant in the united states. on monday, the cdc announced the highly contagious variant now accounts for more than 73% of new covid cases. now, omicron has been detected in all but two u.s. states as you can see there on your screen. it is even more prevalent in parts of the southeast as well as the northwest. now, these numbers really show just how quickly this variant has been spreading. the first week december, omicron made up less than 1% of new cases. three weeks later it accounts for nearly three quarters of new infections. and these numbers here paint a very similar picture. omicron racing past the delta variant there in blue to become really the dominant strain in a matter of weeks. and experts warn this is especially concerning as families, of course, gather for the holidays. >> he you see case report after case report of people gathering.