As much as we want to put it behind, Covid-19 does not disappear. Cases are currently increasing across the country in a summer wave.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that COVID-19 cases increase in nine states and are probably developing in 16 others. Trends are estimates, because the CDC no longer surveys rigorous cases according to the results of laboratory tests. Fewer people are also tested. But the data provides an index of how the disease changes over time, and the new surveillance systems that follow viruses in wastewater confirm the climb.
The CDC indicates that the overall level of respiratory diseases in the United States-COVVI-19, FLUX and RSV-is “very low”, but that emergency visits to COVID-19 are increasing, representing 0.5% of emergency visits in the country in mid-July, compared to 0.3% of cases at the start of summer. Although this may seem to be a small increase, emergency visits are a bell tower for the trends in the disease, because they represent cases in which people are sick enough to ask for care. “We are starting to hear about more young children or older adults who present themselves in the emergency room with COVID-19,” said Dr. Luis Ostrosky, head of infectious diseases at UT Health Houston. Texas is one of the states that sees points in infections.
Here is what experts say you need to know about current overvoltage in cases.
Why do COVVI-19 cases increase in summer?
Unlike most respiratory diseases such as common colds and flu, which generally culminates during winter, COVID-19 tends to increase twice and sometimes three times a year: once in autumn and winter, once in the spring and another time in summer. While viruses tend to propagate more easily when people are gathered inside in cold weather, post-winter periods also coincide with “travel, holidays and people gather and meet in events,” explains Ostrosky.
COVID-19 trends also depend on the emergence and propagation of new variants. The latter, including nb.1.8.1, improve in the spread of people, which contributes to a bump in cases.
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Another factor that could lead to the thrust of infections is that fewer people are vaccinated, for several reasons. US health authorities have recently changed the recommendations of the COVVI-19 vaccine, continuing to recommend annual plans for the elderly and those who have weakened immune systems, but allowing otherly healthy adults to decide to be vaccinated.
However, many experts continue to encourage people to get them. “What I say to my colleagues and my patients is that we have to follow the evidence, and the best evidence is not controversial,” explains Ostrosky. “Vaccines are safe and very effective in preventing serious illnesses, hospitalizations, mortality and long covids.”
It is important for most people to be vaccinated each year to maintain good protection against serious illnesses, he says, and for those who have a lower immune system, including the elderly, to be vaccinated twice a year. “I can’t tell you how many times I heard patients ask:” Do covid vaccines still work? ” Am I always supposed to get them? »» By emphasizing vaccines, education and awareness of their decline, he said, and this could fuel increases in cases.
Where is COVID-19 on the rise?
According to the latest CDC estimates, the virus develops in Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia. The agency’s models note that there are 95% chance that the epidemic will develop, which means that more states could start to see an increase in infections.
What is the last dominant covid-19 variant?
Omicron variants still represent all new infections in the United States, with NB.1.8.1 Responsible for 43% of cases in late June. However, the CDC claims that the small number of cases reported to the agency means that the data may not reflect the last situation.
Will the vaccine protect me from Cavid-19?
The current version of the vaccine targets a different old -fashioned omicron variant, but it remains effective to protect against serious illnesses because viruses are closely linked. “Not only are they all omicron, but they come from a specific branch of omicron which is fairly well preserved in the past year and a half,” explains Ostrosky. “So I have a fairly good confidence that the vaccine remains a good correspondence for circulating variants.”
