I don't think there's any more need than previously. I think it's more a matter of increased quantity based on stagnant percentages.
HYPOTHETICAL EXPLANATION:
Two months before "Omicron", 100 people felt some general symptoms of covid, including minor cold or flu symptoms.
In addition, 100 people wanted to fly to countries that required testing.
Immediately before Omicron, more people felt comfortable about travel, and more countries relaxed some of their requirements. And so immediately before Omicron, 200 people booked trips instead of previous 100 people.
In the first weeks of Omicron, 200 people felt symptoms, compared to 100 people who felt them previous to Omicron.
PLUS it's Flu and Cold season, so people don't know what they're sick with, and 50 people would rather be sure so they can treat their sickness appropriately.
So if there's a 50% increase in people demanding tests, it's probably because there's a 100% increase in people who are doing the things that would prompt them to get tested than there were months ago.
|