As America has officially passed the somber milestone of one million deaths, Covid cases are surging again, powered by a rising tide of Omicron subvariants currently circulating around the United States. Federal health officials urge people to continue wearing masks indoors now that a third of Americans live in areas where the risk of transmission is high.
The country’s seven-day average of daily new Covid cases has ballooned above 100,000 as of Friday, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That’s more than three times higher than this time a year ago. And while hospitalizations have remained relatively low during the current wave, some infectious disease experts say the virus’ unpredictable nature could lead to “a fickle” Covid summer.
Health experts remain hopeful that cases will hit a low point in July and August, an ideal time for many Americans, especially those who face the highest risk of severe Covid infections, to take vacations. But the warmer weather and people spending more time outdoors, where transmission rates tend to be lower, can only do so much to protect against the rise of new subvariants amidst waning immunity since vaccination or infection.
As summer once again brings signs of a coming COVID-19 wave, an unusual trend has emerged: The Georgians who are fully vaccinated and boosted are increasingly winding up in the hospital with serious COVID-19 symptoms: https://t.co/2PdbM8Bv8ipic.twitter.com/jyEY8W0VHZ
— Atlanta Journal-Constitution (@ajc) May 22, 2022
The controversy around the wearing of masks still remains, and the lifting of mask-wearing in several states has now been modified to “encouraged” rather than implementing new mandates. But the CDC still recommends everyone mask up when in an enclosed public place and while traveling.
Getting vaccinated is the best way to avoid getting seriously sick or dying from #COVID19. If you’ve started vaccination but haven’t stayed up to date, make an appointment today. Learn more in this week’s COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review: https://t.co/F4bAyObDp1. pic.twitter.com/V1Trx2lI9E
But the best way to remain healthy is by getting vaccinated and boosted as recommended by the CDC. The White House also recently announced vaccinations will soon be available for kids under the age of 5, which can also help reduce the community spreading of the virus. Dr. Sanjay Gupta speaks about that new development and how the potential summer surge might impact the country, below.
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