U.S. Medical News - COVID-19 cases once again rising in Arizona
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jul 19, 2024 4 months, 3 weeks, 2 days, 16 hours, 24 minutes ago
U.S. Medical News: Nationwide Trends and Local Impact
As President Biden recovers from his bout with COVID-19, the virus continues to challenge states across the nation, including Arizona. Historically, Arizona has seen waves of COVID-19 during both winter and summer seasons. This year is no exception, with cases beginning to rise significantly since late April.
U.S. Medical News - COVID-19 cases once again rising in Arizona
Image Credit: YULIYA SHAVYRA - Getty Images/iStock
The Arizona Department of Health Services reported approximately 1,400 hospitalizations due to COVID-19 over the past month, marking a 40% increase from the previous month. However, there has been a slight leveling off in hospitalizations in the past couple of weeks.
https://www.azdhs.gov/covid19/data/index.php
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has noted that the Southwest, including Arizona, currently has the highest test positivity rates in the country.
https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#maps_positivity-week
Emergency Room Trends and Positivity Rates
About 1.8% of emergency department patients in Arizona have tested positive for COVID-19 recently, slightly higher than the national average. Despite this summer wave, the death rate from the virus remains low in Arizona and nationwide. Nonetheless, the increase in COVID-19 cases in Arizona is significant. Nationwide, around 1% of emergency department visits are due to COVID-19, while in Arizona, this figure is up to 2%.
In Region 9, which includes Arizona, California, and Nevada, the CDC reported a test positivity rate of 15.6% in the past week, the highest in the nation.
https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#maps_positivity-week
Will Humble, Executive Director of the Arizona Public Health Services, noted that the pattern of infections is consistent with previous years, with spikes around the holidays and a second, smaller wave in the summer.
Challenges in Tracking COVID-19 Cases
A growing challenge in tracking COVID-19 cases is the increase in at-home testing, which often goes unreported. This makes it difficult to get an accurate count of infections. Humble emphasized that hospitalization rates and emergency department visits are now the best indicators of infection rates.
Despite the challenges, one Arizonan is dying from COVID-19 every day, reminding us that the virus is far from harmless. However, Humble expressed greater concern about the 4% hospitalization rate for heat-related illnesses, especially as children head back to school. According to various
U.S. Medical News
span> coverages, cases of food poisoning due to hot weather is also rising in many states and also in Arizona.
Preparing for the School Year
Pima County Health Director Dr Theresa Cullen is cautious but hopeful about the return of children to classrooms. She emphasized the importance of increasing air exchange rates in schools and encouraged mask-wearing and staying home when sick as key preventive measures. This sentiment was echoed by Janko Nikolich, a professor in the University of Arizona's Immunobiology Department, who warned about the long-term effects of COVID-19, often referred to as "Long COVID."
The Role of Variants and Vaccinations
The recent surge in infections has been largely driven by the FLiRT variant. Over the past month, Arizona has seen a 40% increase in hospitalizations and a 20% increase in COVID-19-related deaths. However, the exact number of cases remains uncertain due to unreported at-home tests.
Humble suggested wastewater testing as a potential solution for better understanding the spread of COVID-19. Although this data is also limited, it provides some insights into infection rates.
https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/rv/COVID19-currentlevels.html
Despite the increase in hospitalizations, the numbers remain lower than the surges seen in previous years. Data from Maricopa County showed an 88% increase in cases from June 16 to June 22 compared to last year, but overall, there has been a 47% decrease in total cases this season.
https://www.maricopa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/5849
Seasonal Patterns and Immunity
Since the pandemic began, Arizona has consistently experienced summer and winter spikes in cases. Some experts theorize that COVID-19 is settling into a seasonal pattern, but human behavior during these seasons may also play a significant role. Humble noted that antibodies from infections or vaccinations last about 6 to 7 months, contributing to the periodic uptick in cases.
The KP.3 variant, part of the Omicron family, has become the dominant strain in Arizona, accounting for over 50% of positive cases.
Precautions for High-Risk Individuals
For those at high risk, particularly individuals undergoing chemotherapy, Humble advised extra precautions and early treatment with COVID-19 medications like Paxlovid.
Looking Ahead
As Arizona navigates another wave of COVID-19, the focus remains on vaccination, preventive measures, and protecting vulnerable populations. With the new school year approaching, health officials continue to emphasize the importance of safety protocols in reducing the spread of the virus.
The state's health infrastructure, from emergency departments to public health services, is working diligently to manage this latest wave. Continued vigilance and adaptation to the evolving landscape of the pandemic are crucial as Arizona and the rest of the nation strive to keep COVID-19 under control.
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