SALT LAKE CITY — A new variant of COVID-19 is causing a surge in cases across the country, and President Joe Biden is among those who have tested positive. Most of the cases seen in emergency departments are a variant known as KP. 3, and a new vaccine is expected, in all likelihood as early as August, according to public health officials.
As The Hill reported: “For many Americans, it has been more than six months since they received a booster shot or a recent infection, leaving them vulnerable to a new disease. “
COVID-19-related emergency room visits increased 23. 5% last week, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, though that number is well below the point seen at the center of the pandemic.
“Data from CDC data tracker Nowcast shows that during a two-week period from June 23 to July 6, KP. 3 accounted for nearly 37% of COVID-19 cases in the United States Other virus variants still account for COVID-19 infections in the United States, including KP. 2 and “FLiRT,” according to USA Today.
The article points out that the symptoms of the KP. 3 variant are “identical” to those of the JN. 1 variant from which it evolved, adding muscle aches, congestion, headache, breathing problems, fatigue, loss of taste or smell, brain problems. fog, cough, fever and chills, sore throat and gastrointestinal symptoms.
The CDC has reported that the viral activity point in wastewater for COVID-19 is high. And the West is the component of the country with the highest point of wastewater viral load activity, namely Nevada and Oregon. Levels in Utah are believed to be high.
COVID-19 Reinfections
The good news is that the dangers of long-term COVID seem to have diminished, especially for those who have been vaccinated, according to Science News, based on studies from the New England Journal of Medicine.
Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease specialist at the University of California, San Francisco, told the New York Times that a COVID-19 infection would likely have more potent symptoms than in a previous episode and that the immune formula can also simply be faster. “This would possibly cause symptoms before enough virus has accumulated to produce an immediate positive test result,” the Times article notes.
Meanwhile, studies published by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute indicate that reinfections with the virus that causes COVID-19 are more likely to be as severe as an initial infection. This means that a first severe infection will most likely lead to severe reinfection, according to the study originally published in Communications Medicine. Almost nine out of 10 people with mild symptoms the first time had mild reinfections, there are exceptions.
“The scientists also found that, regardless of the variant, long cases of COVID were more likely to occur after a first infection than after a reinfection. Long COVID was explained in the research as other people with symptoms of long COVID-19, such as feeling tired, coughing, or having difficulty sleeping, breathing, or thinking after an acute coronavirus infection,” the study found.
Vaccine Guidelines
In late June, the CDC announced its updated COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for the fall and winter, noting flu vaccinations and the COVID-19 vaccine.
In 2023, the CDC said more than 916,300 people in the United States were hospitalized due to COVID-19 and 75,500 died. In addition, nearly 45,000 other people in the U. S. have been vaccinated. U. S. citizens have died from the flu, according to the news release.
The public fitness giant recommends that anyone at least 6 months old get an updated 2024-25 COVID-19 vaccine, which is expected to be available starting in August. This advice applies even if a user has already earned a COVID-19 Vaccine. Moderna, Novavax and Pfizer have vaccines available.
“Receiving an updated COVID-19 vaccine by 2024-2025 can repair and improve coverage against the variants of the virus currently responsible for the majority of infections and hospitalizations in the United States. Vaccination against COVID-19 also reduces the risk of experiencing the effects of long COVID, which could spread after an acute infection and last for an extended period,” according to the statement.
The advisory states that September and October are the most productive times to get a flu shot for as many people as possible. The exceptions are pregnant women in their third trimester, who are expected to receive a vaccine in July or August to protect their baby, who will also be vaccinated. young people to receive a vaccine; young people who want two doses; and youth receiving physical care visits who might not return in September and October. “For adults (especially those 65 and older) and those who are pregnant in the first and second trimesters, vaccination in July and August deserves to be avoided, unless it is unimaginable to vaccinate in September or October,” according to the CDC.
Biden positive
After testing positive this week, the president was forced to cancel upcoming events, adding crossover events, but the White House said his symptoms so far have been mild, according to the New York Times.
“If Mr. Biden continues to test positive for the next week or more, it may save him from participating in the electoral crusade. And if you continue to have congestion and coughing, as your doctor warned you on Wednesday, this may simply hinder your ability to carry out your crusade schedule well from home in any interview,” according to the article.
The White House said Biden planned to visit his beach in Rehoboth, Delaware, and would conduct his presidential duties from there. This is the third time Biden has tested positive for COVID-19 since the pandemic began.