a summer covid surge The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that there’s an ongoing epidemic in the US — so should you be worried?
By June 25, 2024, the C.D.C. estimates that COVID-19 infections are “increasing or are expected to increase” in 44 states and territories, according to a news alert on the C.D.C.’s website.
Data shows that despite the rise in cases, hospitalisation and mortality rates remain low.
Since the pandemic has been officially declared over by May 5, 2023, public health Officials no longer collect the same amount of COVID data as they once did.
“But the data we have from the C.D.C., including from wastewater monitoring, shows that COVID-19 infections are increasing in many places in the U.S.,” Dr. Jay Verma, chief medical officer at SIGA Technologies, a New York City-based pharmaceutical company, told Fox News Digital.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has warned that the Covid outbreak is on the rise in the US this summer. (iStock)
Dr. Mark Siegel, physician, clinical professor of medicine NYU Langone Medical Center And a Fox News medical contributor acknowledged there has been a recent surge in cases.
“There has been a surge in some areas – including California – fueled by the so-called FLiRT variants, KP.3, KP.2 and KP.1,” he told Fox News Digital.
“It could spread to more states.”
COVID-19 infections are “increasing or expected to increase” in 44 states and territories, according to a CDC news alert. (iStock)
CDC data shows that the KP.3 and KP.2 strains — both of which are sub-variants of the highly contagious JN.1 variant — currently account for more than half of all new cases.
Does COVID spread more in summer?
Since the emergence of COVID-19 in 2020, scientists have learned that The virus has a seasonal patternIts peak can be predicted in spring/early summer and winter, Verma said.
“The winter peak is easy to explain — more people spend time indoors, and there are changes in climate, including relative humidity, making it easier for infections to spread through the air,” Verma, who served as a senior public health adviser to the New York City mayor during the COVID-19 pandemic, told Fox News Digital.
However, the extremes during this time are not as easy to explain. Hot weather,
“This may be because the virus evolves at a frequency that coincides with spring/summer — or there may be other environmental factors that we don’t understand well,” Verma said.
CDC data shows that the KP.3 and KP.2 strains — both of which are sub-variants of the highly contagious JN.1 variant — have accounted for more than half of all new cases so far this summer. (iStock)
Siegel, however, doesn’t believe COVID is seasonal.
“this is a respiratory tract virus“It spreads when people gather together,” he told Fox News Digital.
“And like all respiratory viruses, it spreads more in low humidity.”
“Having said that, it is not known if it is seasonal, which means it can spread easily even in warmer weather.”
According to Siegel, the sub-variants of COVID (FLiRT) are “immune resistant,” meaning people can get infected by them even if they already have immunity.
Measures to prevent the spread
To minimize the chance of COVID this summer, Siegel said the same advice applies year-round.
“If you’re sharing indoor air, such as on an airplane or in a crowded space, wearing a high-quality mask can reduce your risk of getting infected,” one doctor advised. (iStock)
“If you’re sharing indoor air, such as on an airplane or in a crowded space, wearing a high-quality mask can reduce the risk of infection.” Getting infected“He advised.
“If you have any symptoms of a cough or cold, including allergies, it’s a good idea to get a rapid test for COVID-19.”
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Siegel said rapid tests are an effective way to find out if you can infect other people.
Data shows that despite the rise in cases, hospitalisation and mortality rates remain low.
Verma agreed, adding that “being aware and getting tested promptly if you are infected or sick helps.”
For high-risk infected people, Verma also recommends the use of an antiviral drug called Paxlovid, which may help prevent severe illness.
Should you get vaccinated in the fall?
As of June 27, the CDC recommends that everyone ages 6 months and older get the update by 2024-2025. covid vaccine when they become available in the fall of 2024.
“I think that’s the right advice,” Siegel said.
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He said: “While we know the flu and Covid vaccines provide only partial protection, we know these vaccines are extremely safe and will reduce lost days of work or school, reduce days of suffering, reduce the risk of long Covid, and reduce the risk of spreading the infection to other people who may be at risk of hospitalisation or death.”
As of June 27, the CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older should get the 2024-2025 updated COVID vaccines when they become available in late 2024. (Julian Stratenschulte/dpa (Julian Stratenschulte/Picture Alliance via Getty Images))
Verma agreed, saying the updated vaccine would target the new, prevalent subtypes.
“It would be effective and should be taken or seriously considered – particularly for high-risk groups and people most at risk, including Elderlyhe told Fox News Digital.
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“If COVID continues to spread, I would recommend the vaccine as one of our effective tools to reduce the severity and lingering COVID symptoms for adults.”
“For younger people, it’s a matter of choice, but I like the effectiveness of the vaccine in reducing the risk of long-term Covid,” he said.
