U.S. medical news - Connecticut faces rising COVID-19 cases
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jul 31, 2024 3 months, 3 weeks, 17 hours, 25 minutes ago
U.S. Medical News:
Rising Hospitalizations Amid Summer Surge
Connecticut is currently witnessing an increase in COVID-19 cases, marking a significant change from the previous summer. According to Ulysses Wu, chief epidemiologist at Hartford Healthcare, the state has seen a considerable rise in hospitalizations this summer. “It’s a lot more than we would expect at this time in the summer,” Wu told
U.S Medical News journalists. Last week, hospitalizations were up to around 155, a stark contrast to the 30 hospitalizations reported during the same period last year.
U.S. medical news - Connecticut faces rising COVID-19 cases
This increase in hospitalizations is a sign that more people might be getting sick but are not reporting it, not showing up to the hospital, or not testing at all. Only when conditions progress to a very serious stage are people turning up or being sent to hospitals. Wu suggests that while cases may have peaked for now, they could potentially increase gradually until the winter months. He attributes this surge to a lack of circulating immunity to new variants and the hot and humid weather forcing people indoors, creating environments similar to those seen in winter.
Death Toll and CDC Data
Between July 20-25, Connecticut recorded 19 COVID-19 deaths, reflecting a trend seen in at least 35 states across the country.
https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#maps
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Connecticut is experiencing "high" levels of COVID-19 transmission. Wastewater surveillance data indicates that Connecticut is one of more than two dozen states seeing either "high" or "very high" levels of COVID amid a national surge.
https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/rv/COVID19-currentlevels.html
However, accurately gauging the extent of COVID-19 spread in Connecticut is challenging due to a lack of testing and publicly reported data. Connecticut's Department of Public Health reports regular COVID data only from October through May, treating the disease as a seasonal concern similar to the flu. Despite this, experts like Dr Manisha Juthani, the state’s public health commissioner, acknowledge the clear spread of COVID in Connecticut this summer. “We have seen a summer rise in cases for several years, usually in August,” Juthani stated. “This year, it seems this rise is happening now.”
Precautionary Measures and Public Response
Wu advises the public to continue adhering to the precautions that have become customary in dealing with COVID-19. West Hartford resident Debra Walsh emphasizes the importance of maintaining health and respecting others by wearing masks, staying six feet apart, and taking vaccinations. “The goal of the vaccine is really to keep you from getting si
cker and to keep you out of the hospital and to keep you from dying,” Wu added.
Regional and National Comparisons
The CDC data shows that Connecticut, along with Maine and New Hampshire, is experiencing "high" levels of transmission, while Massachusetts and Vermont have "moderate" levels. Rhode Island, New York, and New Jersey are seeing "low levels" of COVID-19 transmission. The surge has been most severe in the West, with states like California, Nevada, and Oregon experiencing the highest transmission rates.
Much of the increase in COVID-19 cases appears to be driven by new KP variants, which have overtaken other strains in recent weeks. These variants are contributing to the higher transmission rates seen in various parts of the country.
Looking Ahead
As Connecticut navigates this summer surge, it remains crucial for residents to stay vigilant and continue practicing preventive measures. The evolving nature of COVID-19 and the emergence of new variants underline the importance of maintaining health protocols to mitigate the impact of the virus.
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