summer COVID-19 infection spread The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has warned that there is an ongoing pandemic in the U.S. Should we be worried?
As of June 25, 2024, the CDC estimates that 44 states and territories are “experienced or likely to experience an increase” in COVID-19 cases, according to a news alert on the CDC’s website.
Despite the rise in cases, hospitalizations and deaths remain low, according to the data.
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Given that the pandemic was officially declared over on May 5, 2023, public health Officials aren’t collecting as much COVID data as they used to.
“However, data we have from the CDC, including wastewater monitoring, indicates that COVID-19 transmission is increasing in many parts of the United States,” Dr. Jay Varma, chief medical officer at New York City pharmaceutical company SIGA Technologies, told Fox News Digital.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is warning that the United States is currently experiencing a summer surge of COVID-19. (iStock)
Dr. Mark Siegel, MD, Professor of Clinical Medicine NYU Langone Medical Center Fox News medical correspondent John F. Kennedy acknowledged that the number of cases has been increasing recently.
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“We’re seeing an increase in certain areas, including California, due to the so-called FLiRT variants, KP.3, KP.2 and KP.1,” he told Fox News Digital.
“It could potentially spread to other states.”
According to a CDC news alert, COVID-19 infections are “increasing or likely to increase” in 44 states and territories. (iStock)
According to CDC data, the KP.3 and KP.2 strains — both highly contagious variants of the JN.1 strain — now account for more than half of new cases.
Will COVID spread more in the summer?
Since the emergence of COVID-19 in 2020, scientists have The virus has seasonal patternsVarma said he expects peaks in the spring/early summer and winter.
“The winter peak in cases is easily explained – more people are spending time indoors and changes in weather, such as relative humidity, make airborne transmission easier,” Varma, who served as senior public health adviser to the New York City mayor during the COVID-19 pandemic, told Fox News Digital.
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But the peak situation is not so easy to explain. Warm Weather.
“It could be because the virus evolves in a spring-summer cycle, or there could be other environmental factors that we don’t fully understand,” Varma said.
According to CDC data, the KP.3 and KP.2 strains — both highly contagious variants of the JN.1 strain — account for more than half of the new cases so far this summer. (iStock)
But Siegel doesn’t believe COVID-19 is seasonal.
“This is a respiratory virus and it spreads when people are in close proximity,” he told Fox News Digital.
“And like other respiratory viruses, it spreads even more when humidity levels are low.”
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“That being said, it is not seasonal so it can spread easily in warmer climates.”
Siegel said COVID subvariants (FLiRT) are “immune evasive,” meaning you can still be infected even if you had previous immunity.
How to prevent the spread of infection
Siegel said the same advice applies year-round to reducing the chances of contracting COVID-19 this summer.
“Wearing a quality mask can reduce the risk of infection if you are sharing indoor air, such as on an airplane or in a crowded space,” one doctor advised. (iStock)
“When sharing indoor air, such as on an airplane or in a crowded space, wearing a quality mask can reduce the risk of infection. Infect” he advised.
“If you have any cough or cold symptoms, including what you think may be an allergy, we encourage you to get a rapid COVID-19 test.”
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Siegel added that rapid tests are an effective way to determine whether someone is likely to infect others.
Despite the rise in cases, hospitalizations and deaths remain low, according to the data.
Varma agreed, noting that “being vigilant and getting rapid testing if you do get infected or sick helps.”
For those at high risk of infection, Varma also recommends the use of the antiviral drug Paxlovir, which can help prevent the disease from becoming severe.
Should I get vaccinated in the fall?
As of June 27, the CDC is recommending everyone 6 months or older renew to 2024-2025. COVID Vaccine It is scheduled to be released in fall 2024.
“I think this is good advice,” Siegel said.
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“While we know that flu and COVID-19 vaccines only provide partial protection, we also know that these vaccines are extremely safe and may lead to fewer days missed from work or school, fewer painful days, a lower risk of long-term COVID-19, and a lower risk of spreading the virus to others who are at risk of hospitalization or death,” he said.
As of June 27, the CDC is recommending that everyone 6 months of age or older be vaccinated with the latest 2024-2025 COVID vaccine when it becomes available in fall 2024. (Julian Stratenschulte/dpa (Julian Stratenschulte/picture alliance via Getty Images))
Varma agreed, noting that the improved vaccines target new circulating subvariants.
“This is effective and should be implemented or seriously considered, particularly for high-risk groups and those most at risk. senior citizen” he told Fox News Digital.
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“If COVID-19 continues to spread, we recommend the vaccine as one of the effective ways adults can reduce the severity of COVID-19 symptoms and prevent long-term illness.”
He added: “For younger people it is a matter of choice, but I continue to value the efficacy of the vaccine in reducing the risk of long-term COVID-19 infection.”
