Florida is one of 39 states experiencing an increase or likely an increase in COVID infections, according to the U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. U. S.
The CDC no longer tracks cases and relies on emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and wastewater data to assess the COVID situation. And while national data shows that flu and RSV levels remain low in the United States, COVID infections are rising. South Florida hospitals say they’re also seeing more people with health issues with COVID — not like past summers.
“We’re seeing a slight increase in the number of COVID-positive patients hospitalized and in the emergency room, but it’s not dramatic compared to past spikes,” Dr. Kelly said. Paula Eckardt, director of infectious diseases at Memorial. Healthcare. System, the formula for public hospitals in South Broward County
Here’s what you want to know:
The COVID alphabet soup continues to grow. And the most dominant variant in the country is KP. 3, which is estimated to account for about 33% of cases in the country, according to the CDC’s most recent estimates. It is followed by KP. 2, which accounts for approximately 21% of cases. And scientists are keeping a close eye on LB. 1, which has accelerated this month and could soon overtake its siblings.
All three are descended from omicron and are offshoots of JN. 1, which has fueled much of the country’s winter infections. Those most at risk for severe COVID infections remain people 65 and older and immunocompromised people.
“Lately there is no evidence that KP. 3 or LB. 1 cause more severe disease,” CDC spokesman David Daigle told CBS News. “CDC will continue to track SARS-CoV-2 variants and charts to better understand the potential effect. “in matters of public health. “
While COVID vaccines are still expected to offer some coverage against the virus, according to CNN, studies show that existing vaccines appear to be less effective against variants circulating lately, but new vaccines are expected to be rolled out in the fall.
An advisory committee to the United States Food and Drug Administration is recommending that Pfizer and Moderna update their vaccine formulations for the fall, similar to how flu vaccines are updated each year.
This time, the FDA needs the new vaccines to better fit JN. 1 and its descendants, such as KP. 2 and KP. 3, also known as FLiRT variants. (The nickname is funny to scientists; rather, it’s based on the technical names of their mutations, according to the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. )
Emergency room visits due to COVID-19 increased last week in the United States, with a 25% increase in hospitalizations between May 26 and June 1, according to the most recent data from the CDC. Recent fitness data also shows that more people have tested positive for COVID in Florida since late May, in addition to Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
It’s hard to say how many other people are in poor health lately due to COVID. Remember, COVID testing is no longer the most productive way to measure the spread of the disease, as testing sites have generally disappeared and the effects of at-home testing are not reported. COVID hospitalizations remain a key indicator of the COVID situation.
At Jackson Health System, Miami-Dade’s public hospital system, there were “a record number of hospitalizations” in April and May. The hospital said it began to see a slight uptick in June, although this is not enough for operations.
Memorial Health System in Broward has also recently seen a slight increase in COVID cases. But the hospital sees as many patients as before, and doctors also have a better understanding of how to treat patients, Eckardt said. Like other hospitals, Memorial is no longer testing all patients admitted for COVID.
The hospital claims to have 91 inpatient cases, an increase of about 38% from the end of May, when it had 66 inpatient cases, according to the most recent data.
The stifling heat is likely encouraging other people to stay home, which could herald the flow of the virus. People also wait for summer.
As others begin to make plans for their 4th of July vacations and trips, Eckardt said it’s vital to follow four key tips:
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