The peak of the Omicron variant is almost here according to some local and national experts. Joe Gerald, MD, PhD, an associate professor of public health policy at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, believes the peak could come between Jan. 16 and Jan. 23, and certainly by the end of the month.

Researchers are seeing lower birth weights and an increase in the number of stillbirths in women who have had COVID-19. To learn about everything from vaccines, immunity and Omicron, The Show spoke with Laura Mercer, MD, an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the College of Medicine – Phoenix.

This is an exciting time for the University of Arizona Health Sciences as we reshape the future of health care.

The highly transmissible coronavirus variant known as Omicron has sent cases skyrocketing around the world, including in Arizona. UArizona College of Medicine – Tucson researchers Deepta Bhattacharya, PhD, a professor of immunobiology and Janko Nikolich-Žugich, MD, PhD, the head of the immunobiology department and co-director of the Arizona Center on Aging, are quoted.

The pandemic has taken its toll on our sleep. Rubin Naiman, PhD, a clinical assistant professor of medicine at the UArizona Center for Integrative Medicine and a sleep and dream specialist, said we lack dreams rather than sleep.

A new study led by Amelia Gallitano, MD, PhD, professor of basic medical sciences and psychiatry at the College of Medicine – Phoenix, found that sleep deprivation, can significantly increase the levels of serotonin 2A neurotransmitter receptors.

42 experts say this wave of Omicron is no time to let our guard down. "The fatigue, frustration, and burnout of healthcare workers is a serious concern of mine," said Sydney Pettygrove, PhD, an associate research professor at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health.

From MERV 13 filters to an Oxivir disinfectant station, Facilities Management has made significant changes to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 on campus.