Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jul 04, 2024 5 months, 1 week, 23 hours, 42 minutes ago
COVID-19 News: Recent weeks have seen a notable uptick in emergency room visits and deaths due to COVID-19 across the United States, according to the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Despite limited surveillance data, these metrics remain crucial indicators of the virus's spread. This
COVID-19 News report delves into the reasons behind this summer's increase and what it means for the general public.
COVID-19 Emergency Visits and Deaths on the Rise Across The United States.
A Summer Surge: Why COVID-19 Cases Are Rising
COVID-19, notorious for its mutating sub-variants, seems to follow a predictable pattern with seasonal fluctuations. Typically, cases surge during the winter months and see smaller rises in the summer. This year is no exception, with experts noting an increase in cases this summer. However, it's important to note that the risk of severe illness or death has significantly decreased compared to earlier in the pandemic.
That said, the situation remains serious. In 2023, COVID-19 claimed over 75,000 lives, and nearly a million people were hospitalized juts in the United States alone!
The latest U.S. CDC data shows a 23% increase in emergency department visits, with the percentage of visits diagnosed as COVID-19 rising to 0.9% in the week of June 22.
https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#maps_percent-covid-ed
https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#ed-visits_all_ages_combined
The data also highlights significant increases in diagnoses in states like Hawaii, Arizona, New Mexico, Florida, and Washington.
Despite this, COVID-19-related hospitalizations have not seen a marked change, although deaths have risen by 14%.
https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#maps_percent-covid-deaths
High Levels in the West: A Regional Breakdown
According to the CDC, the western United States, particularly Hawaii, has seen substantial increases in COVID-19 cases. Emergency room visits and deaths have also risen significantly. While Hawaii has registered the highest increases, states like Arizona, New Mexico, Florida, and Washington are also experiencing notable upticks.
https://www.cdc.gov/forecast-outbreak-analytics/about/rt-estimates.html#covid
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/covid-19-positivity-rates-now-at-
16-7-percent-in-hawaii-state-while-honolulu-is-at-20-1-percent-hospitalizations-also-increasing
Despite these alarming figures, the CDC has indicated that COVID-19 cases in Hawaii might be declining after weeks of increases. Emergency room visits in the region spanning Hawaii through Arizona are also expected to plateau, potentially averting further spikes.
Comparing Current Death Rates to Previous Years
It's crucial to put the current numbers into perspective. While the recent 14% increase in deaths sounds alarming, it's a percentage increase from relatively low recent numbers. Provisional data shows hundreds of deaths weekly, a stark contrast to the more than 2,000 weekly deaths during the peaks of December and January. At the height of the Omicron variant in 2021, weekly deaths averaged around 20,000.
What the Experts Say
During a recent panel to approve updated COVID-19 vaccines for the fall, health officials emphasized that older adults remain at heightened risk for severe outcomes. The U.S. CDC continues to recommend that everyone aged six months and older receive the updated vaccine once available later this year. (Whether these new vaccines have any efficacy against the newer emerging variants remains to be seen)
Dr. William Schaffner, a professor at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, remarked, "Summer is back, and we are about to have the summer bump of COVID cases. We have a bump in the summer, it goes down in the fall, and rises more substantially in the winter."
The U.S CDC also stated, "During April and May 2024, COVID-19 activity was lower than at any time since the start of the pandemic. Recent increases need to be considered from that baseline."
The COVID Bump: A Seasonal Trend
This phenomenon, referred to as the "COVID bump," is characterized by a rise in cases during the summer, followed by a decline in the fall, and a significant increase in the winter. Previous years have seen similar patterns, although the exact timing and magnitude can vary. Last year's summer surge, for example, peaked in late August or early September.
Wastewater Surveillance: A New Tracking Method
With traditional testing and reporting becoming less frequent, health authorities have increasingly relied on wastewater analysis to monitor COVID-19 trends. The CDC's latest figures through June 27 show rising levels of the virus in most parts of the country. Although nationwide levels in wastewater remain low, the western U.S. has seen this key trend surpass the threshold for "high" levels.
https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/rv/COVID19-nationaltrend.html
Regional Variants: LB.1 on the Rise
On the opposite side of the country, the rise of the LB.1 variant, a descendant of the JN.1 variant from the previous winter, has been monitored closely. As of early June, LB.1 accounted for 30.9% of cases in the New York and New Jersey region. However, less than 10% of cases in the western states were attributed to this variant during the same period.
https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#variant-proportions
While emergency room data in the Northeast shows a rise, it remains far from the peaks seen in past summer and winter surges.
Looking Ahead: What You Can Do
As we navigate another summer with COVID-19, staying informed and taking preventive measures remain crucial. Maintaining good hygiene, wearing masks in crowded places, and monitoring health symptoms can also help reduce the spread.
While the current situation is less dire than earlier in the pandemic, the rise in cases, hospitalizations, and deaths serves as a reminder that COVID-19 is still very much a part of our lives. Staying vigilant and informed is the best way to protect ourselves and our communities.
For the latest
COVID-19 News, keep on logging to Thailand Medical News.
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https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/covid-19-hospitalizations-rising-in-queensland-australia-as-new-fluqe-variants-become-predominant-in-circulation
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/covid-19-positivity-rates-in-puerto-rico-hits-40-61-Percent-while-it-is-49-25-Percent-in-arecibo-region
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