a summer COVID-19 surge The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that this is happening in the United States — so should you be worried?
As of June 25, 2024, the CDC estimates COVID-19 infections are “increasing or likely to increase” in 44 states and territories, according to a news alert on the CDC website.
Data shows hospitalizations and deaths remain low despite rising cases.
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In view of the official declaration of the end of the epidemic as of May 5, 2023, public health Officials are no longer collecting the same amount of coronavirus data as before.
“But the data we have from the CDC, including data from monitoring wastewater, shows that COVID-19 infections are rising in many parts of the United States,” said Dr. Jay Varma, chief medical officer of SIGA Technologies, a pharmaceutical company in New York state. news.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has warned that the U.S. is experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases during the summer. (iStock)
Dr. Marc Siegel, Ph.D., Professor of Clinical Medicine NYU Langone Medical Center A Fox News medical contributor acknowledged the recent increase in cases.
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“There are surges in some areas, including California, driven by the so-called FLiRT variants KP.3, KP.2 and KP.1,” he told Fox News Digital.
“It could spread to more states.”
According to a CDC news alert, COVID-19 infections are “increasing or likely to increase” in 44 states and territories. (iStock)
CDC data shows that the KP.3 and KP.2 strains—both subvariants of the highly contagious JN.1 variant—now account for more than half of all new cases.
Does COVID-19 spread more in the summer?
Since COVID-19 emerged in 2020, scientists have learned Viruses have seasonal patternsPredictable peaks occur in spring/early summer and winter, Varma said.
“The winter spike is easy to explain — more people are spending time indoors and there are changes in climate, including relative humidity, that make it easier for infections to spread through the air,” said Varma, who serves as a top New York City mayoral official. Public health advisor during -19 pandemic tells Fox Digital News.
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However, explaining the spikes during peak periods is not so easy. warm weather.
“This could be because the virus evolves at a frequency consistent with spring/summer, or there could be other environmental factors that we don’t understand well,” Varma said.
CDC data shows that the KP.3 and KP.2 strains, both subvariants of the highly contagious JN.1 variant, account for more than half of all new cases so far this summer. (iStock)
However, Siegel does not believe that the new coronavirus is seasonal.
“This is a respiratory virus that spreads when people are crowded together,” he told Fox News Digital.
“Like all respiratory viruses, it spreads further in low humidity.”
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“That being said, it does not show seasonality, which means it can spread easily in warm weather as well.”
Siegel said subvariants of the new coronavirus (FLiRT) are “immune evasive,” meaning people can be infected with them even if they have previous immunity.
Ways to contain the spread
Siegel said the same advice applies year-round to reduce the chance of contracting the coronavirus this summer.
One doctor advised: “If you share indoor air, such as on a plane or in a crowded space, wearing a high-quality mask can reduce the risk of infection.” (iStock)
“If you share indoor air, such as on a plane or in a crowded space, wearing a high-quality mask can reduce the risk of infection infected,” he suggested.
“If you have any cough or cold symptoms, including what you think are symptoms of allergies, it’s a good idea to get a COVID-19 rapid test.”
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Siegel added that rapid testing is an effective way to determine whether you may be infectious to others.
Data shows hospitalizations and deaths remain low despite rising cases.
Varma agreed, noting that “being vigilant and getting rapid testing when exposed or sick can help.”
For people at high risk of infection, Varma also recommends Paxlovid, an antiviral drug that can help prevent severe disease.
Should you get your fall vaccine?
As of June 27, CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older update their information for 2024-2025 Severe special infectious pneumonia vaccine When they become available in fall 2024.
“I think it’s the right advice,” Siegel said.
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“While we know that flu and COVID-19 vaccines only provide partial protection, we know that these vaccines are very safe and may reduce the number of days spent at work or school, reduce the number of miserable days, reduce the risk of long-term COVID-19 infection, and reduce the spread of infection. The risk to other people who may be at risk of hospitalization or death is lower,” he said.
As of June 27, the CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older receive the updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available in fall 2024. (Julian Stratenschulte/dpa (Julian Stratenschulte/Photo Alliance via Getty Images))
Varma agreed, noting that newer vaccines will target new circulating sub-variants.
“This would be effective and should be adopted or highly considered – particularly for high-risk groups and high-risk groups, including elder,” he told Fox Digital News.
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“If COVID-19 continues to spread, I would recommend vaccines as one of the effective tools available to us adults to reduce the severity and long-term symptoms of COVID-19.”
He added: “For younger people, it’s a matter of choice, but I still like the effectiveness of the vaccine in reducing the risk of long-term COVID-19 infection.”
