U.S. Medical News-Wastewater and hospitalizations data shows that COVID-19 is affecting Maryland once more
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jul 26, 2024 3 months, 3 days, 17 hours, 4 minutes ago
U.S. Medical News: Maryland is experiencing an unusual surge in COVID-19 cases this summer, defying typical seasonal trends. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the state has recorded the highest spike in COVID levels in its wastewater since early January. The levels of viral activity measured in Maryland’s sewage last week were nearly double the national average, signaling a significant resurgence of the virus.
https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/rv/COVID19-statetrend.html
U.S. Medical News-Wastewater and hospitalizations data shows that COVID-19 is affecting
Maryland once more
In tandem with this data, the Maryland Department of Health reports that COVID-19 hospitalizations have more than doubled in the past month. From June 22 to July 22, hospitalizations increased from 60 to 135, a worrying trend, although still far below the peaks seen during the annual winter surges.
https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/rv/COVID19-statetrend.html
Hospital Response
At Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, emergency room doctors have noted a slight increase in patients presenting with COVID-19 symptoms. However, most cases involve mild symptoms such as fever, body aches, vomiting, and diarrhea, which generally do not require hospitalization. The director of the hospital's emergency department noted that the rise in cases during summer, when people usually spend more time outdoors, is particularly unusual.
The recent heatwave across The United States might be contributing to this anomaly. People seeking refuge from the heat in air-conditioned indoor environments may inadvertently be creating conditions favorable for the virus to spread. “With viruses, there's sometimes a pattern, and sometimes, there's something that's completely against the expected pattern. And that's, I think, what we're experiencing now,” a leading infectious doctor at Sinai Hospital told
U.S. Medical News journalist.
The Cyclical Nature of COVID-19
A clear annual cycle in the spread of COVID-19 has emerged over the past few years. Hospitalizations typically begin to rise in late summer, continue through the fall, and peak in early January. This pattern was particularly evident during the severe Omicron surge at the start of 2022. Although the peak hospitalization numbers have been lower each subsequent year, the virus continues to pose a significant health risk.
Last year, Maryland saw around 80 hospitalizations in July, a number that climbed to 250 by mid-September and peaked at about 540 in early January. This year, while the numbers are not yet as high, the increase in summer hospitalizations is a cause for concern.
Community and Health Department Responses
Family m
edicine physicians in Maryland have observed a slight uptick in the number of COVID-19 patients. Most of these patients experience mild symptoms, and the need for COVID tests in clinical settings has decreased significantly. Many patients now test at home and consult their primary care doctors via telehealth for necessary documentation for work or school.
In anticipation of a summer rise in cases, the Baltimore City Health Department launched an ad campaign early in June, encouraging residents to stay up to date with their COVID vaccinations. The health commissioner emphasized the ongoing threat COVID-19 poses, particularly to older adults and other medically vulnerable populations.
"The virus has evolved since the height of the pandemic, and just as flu shots are recommended each season, the CDC recommends the updated COVID-19 shots to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community against serious illness from COVID-19," the commissioner stated in a news release.
The Broader Picture: Variants and Vaccinations
The current surge is being driven by new variants of the virus, particularly those evolving from the Omicron strain. These variants have mutations that allow them to evade immunity more effectively, leading to increased transmission rates. Despite this, health experts note that the symptoms remain similar to previous strains, including body aches, congestion, coughing, and fatigue.
Health professionals are now relying more on wastewater surveillance to track the spread of the virus, as fewer people are getting tested. The latest CDC data places Maryland in a very high zone for COVID-19 infection rates, indicating a significant public health challenge.
Staying Safe Amid Rising Cases
Despite the surge, experts stress that preventive measures can significantly reduce the risk of severe illness. They advise the public to continue practicing good hygiene, such as frequent hand washing, and to stay updated on vaccinations. For those showing symptoms, avoiding large crowds and wearing masks can help limit the spread of the virus.
The current summer spike in cases is not entirely unexpected, given the increased travel and social gatherings typical of the season. However, recent history suggests that COVID-19 cases might decline in the fall before potentially rising again in the winter.
As one health expert put it, “The virus is still here, and it is going to wax and wane. Just because people are not dying in droves doesn't mean that people aren't still dying. A lot of Americans are dying of COVID, and most of it can be prevented. Furthermore, long COVID and the long-term health issues associated with exposure to the virus are a growing concern.”
Therefore, the public is urged to remain vigilant and proactive in their efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19, particularly as new variants continue to emerge and drive infections. By taking these steps, Marylanders can help protect themselves and their communities from the ongoing threat of the virus.
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https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/hawaii-s-covid-19-positivity-rate-soars-amid-wastewater-concerns
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