TAMPA, Fla. — A wave of COVID-19 has arrived in the United States.
“I’m not surprised by COVID anymore,” said Dr. Timothy Hendrix of AdventHealth.
The CDC reports an increase in positive COVID-19 test results, hospitalizations, emergency room visits, and deaths.
According to wastewater surveillance, cases are emerging in Florida.
The CDC considers Florida to have “very high” levels of the virus.
“Anecdotally, a lot of other people have tested positive for COVID lately,” Dr. Kelly said. Jill Roberts of the USF School of Public Health.
The recent progression of mutations (the highly contagious FLiRT variants) is partly to blame for this increase.
“This shift in tensions will create a slight increase in that positivity,” Roberts said.
According to health officials, this is also slowing down due to recent 4th of July celebrations and travel, which are fueling the spread.
“We are getting used to this wave of COVID that comes periodically as we get a new variant. The trend we see is that if there is a new variant and a holiday, we will see a buildup of cases,” Hendrix said.
While summer is expected to remain at its best for a few more weeks, doctors expect this spread to continue.
“It’s also hot. I know we’re looking for, even around the world, some of the most popular destinations that are absolutely crowded and crowded,” Roberts said.
Now, for many experts, this increase may carry into the next school year.
“In the patients I’ve noticed and in some positive records, it’s popular cough, fatigue and misery,” Hendrix said.
If you contract COVID-19 this summer, don’t forget that there is a remedy to help reduce the risk of severe symptoms.
“We have Paxlovid for other people at higher risk. “It remains an effective antiviral against COVID-19,” Hendrix said.
Authorities are encouraging others to get tested and stay home if they feel sick.
“The directive is no longer to quarantine for a week or two with COVID, but the directive is that if you have a virus, whether it’s flu, COVID, whatever, you stay home until you feel better or at least have I didn’t have a fever for 24 hours,” Hendrix said.
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