COVID Numbers Rise, But Not Like Before

COVID-19 is making a comeback in the U. S. , but it's not as bad as before. As schools reopened and colder months approached, COVID cases and hospitalizations started to climb. However, they are still much lower than in previous years. For the week ending August 9, the COVID hospitalization rate was 1. 7 per 100, 000 people. This is double what it was two months ago, according to the CDC. Additionally, for the week ending August 23, 11. 2% of weekly tests came back positive for COVID. This is a significant increase from the 3. 3% seen in the prior two months. Despite these increases, the situation is not as dire as it was last year. Hospitalization rates are about three times lower than at the same time last year. The percentage of weekly tests coming back positive is about two times lower compared to the same period last year. Over the past two months, roughly 200 Americans have been dying from COVID every week, according to CDC data. This is a stark reminder that while the situation has improved, the virus is still causing deaths. There has been some confusion over who can receive the updated COVID vaccines. The FDA approved updated versions of the shots for those over age 65 and younger Americans who are at high risk for severe disease. Federal health officials have insisted that anyone who wants the shot can receive it. CDC data shows test positivity has increased above 10% in much of the southwest and western U. S. as kids head to class. Experts believe this is due to the usual factors of more than six months since a lot of people got COVID and new variants. As of the week ending August 30, XFG, an offshoot of the omicron variant, is the dominant variant in the U. S. , accounting for an estimated 78% of new COVID cases. Meanwhile, NB. 1. 8. 1 and LP. 8. 1, also omicron variant offshoots, make up 14% and 3% of estimated new COVID cases in the U. S. , CDC data shows. Experts say that the currently circulating variants are all members of the omicron family. This means there are no major mutations that make the virus more transmissible or more infectious. They are like cousins, sharing characteristics of being fairly contagious and causing mild disease. Fortunately, the vaccines that will become available this fall should provide reasonable protection against serious disease caused by these variants. Pfizer-BioNTech said its 2025-2026 COVID vaccine will target the LP. 8. 1 sublineage in line with FDA guidance to more closely match circulating strains. It remains unclear how COVID vaccinations will be rolled out in the U. S. Recently, CVS said how it offers the shots will vary by state due to "the current regulatory environment. " In 34 states, Americans can receive the COVID vaccine at a CVS pharmacy. In 13 states and in Washington, D. C. , Americans can be vaccinated, depending on age, with a prescription. In three states – Massachusetts, Nevada and New Mexico – the COVID vaccine isn't being offered. Experts are worried about low vaccination rates as the country heads into respiratory virus season during the fall and winter months. As vaccination rates decline, fewer people are going to get vaccines, even if they wanted to. This could lead to some hospitalizations and deaths that could have been prevented. Experts advise those who can receive the COVID vaccine to do so, along with the annual influenza vaccine. They also advise those with risk factors for severe disease to be more cautious. This could mean wearing a mask in crowded environments or practicing social distancing.