While COVID-19 cases remain low in the U. S. In the US, this summer’s numbers increase in the first build-up since the beginning of the year.
Hospitalizations for severe COVID-19 infections, one of the most important major markers for disease tracking, are increasing. The latest recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that admissions are up more than 12% since July. July 16 to 22.
Other key signs are also on the rise, according to the CDC. Weekly COVID-related emergency room visits increased by as much as 17. 4%; Almost a portion of wastewater treatment sites reporting data report the highest levels of virus; and the COVID-19 test positivity rate is 7. 6%, an increase of nearly 1% from last week.
Typically, the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health notes that a positivity rate above 5% is too high. The World Health Organization warns that the spread of COVID-19 is likely to be greater than existing figures recommend due to a relief in testing and reporting. around the world.
“You don’t have COVID-19 still be with us,” says William Schaffner, MD, an infectious disease specialist and professor of preventive medicine and fitness policy at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, Tennessee. “Fortunately, we are only seeing a slight accumulation in cases, which is not surprising. We’ve had summer buildups over the last two years, but nothing like what we had before in the pandemic. “
In January 2022, for example, weekly hospital admissions exceeded 140,000, while the most recent figures for 2023 show admissions at around 8,000. Still, the fitness government is closely tracking all COVID-19 numbers given that this is the first buildup. of the year.
Dr. Schaffner believes that increased social activity in the summer may fuel this wave of COVID. “I think part of the trend has to do with everyone getting together, traveling, getting on planes, trains and buses, getting together with family and friends and having fun. “
Most existing infections are due to a form of the XBB strain of the coronavirus, an edition of the omicron variant. Although highly contagious, XBB appears to cause less severe illness overall than previous variants, according to Schaffner.
He predicts that most cases will be mild because there is a peak of coverage in the country. About 70 percent of the U. S. population is in the U. S. population. While the U. S. is fully vaccinated (though improved), the CDC is and a large percentage have already become inflamed. with the virus, increasing immunity.
On a positive note, COVID-19 deaths continue to decline.
Updated vaccines are expected by the fall of this year. Since these vaccines will target the omicron XBB. 1. 5 variant, they will be effective in protecting against newer variants in circulation.
The CDC warns that the following teams face the greatest threat of severe illness:
“There’s nothing to panic about, but my yellow warning light is on for other people who are at risk for serious illness,” Schaffner says.
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