miguel almaguer has the latest. >> reporter: for a nation on the brink of a covid catastrophe, clear signs of optimism in what appears to be the impending end to omicron dangerous surge as cases continue their steep decline in pockets of the country, new infections are down 14% across the u.s. a climb of new cases over the course of the pandemic reaching peaks and valleys, and now finally after omicron's unprecedented spike, experts say the most serious threat may be over by next month. >> we'd like it to get down to that level where it doesn't disrupt us in the sense of getting back to a degree of normality. that's the best case scenario. >> while omicron's wave may crest by mid february, its wake is still rippling across the country. every day, more than 2200 americans are still dying. 16 states hit later by omicron have cases spiking by over 100%.