COVID Cases Increase Once Again
During these times in the United States and all around the world, there is not a specific time-frame for COVID’s impact. It can definitely strike amongst society at any time of the year now. According to many doctors’ findings “there is no seasonality when it comes to this virus.” Therefore this increased spike during this summer is very concerning, just as every single one of them have been.
However, doctors are finding that as students make their way back into school and more frequent indoor gatherings occur, the quantity of infected individuals will spike even further. This is information that Dr. Michelle Pricket, Northwestern Medicine Pulmonologist, mentioned. Furthermore, these components are some of the major factors that are influencing the spike in cases. Especially because some people are not taking into consideration that quality of the indoor air also plays a major role in these virus contractions.
Good News and Bad News
Now, there is some hope within the situation but there is also bad news. The good news is that doctors are finding in their studies that cases are not as severe as they were when the pandemic had just started or when it was some time far along. This is because although the virus has lots of mutants and variants, the level of impact that they cause is not too extreme. But, they are a lot more contagious.
However, in the other hand, Dr. Prickett also said the following,
“They are coming in mostly to the clinic, but we’re seeing a couple of patients coming into the ICU more than we have been in the recent months, so it is definitely something to be thinking about.”
This statement shows that there are still cases arising that are of major concern. Especially because individuals are falling into the ICU. For the first time in months, following the rapid spread of the multiple new variants this summer, there has been a high increase of cases.
CDC Data Reveals New Statistics About the Infections Increase
In fact, there has been new data released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that reveal that the highest rates of infections are actually found in five Southern/Southwestern states. Nearly 1 in 4 COVID tests came back positive across in the following countries:
- Louisiana
- New Mexico
- Arkansas
- Texas
- Oklahoma
Now, while this is happening, Delaware, D.C., Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia are the ones that have seen the largest amount of positive virus tests the last week of August this year.
Increase in Patients Being Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit
Additionally, COVID cases are shown to be increasing throughout the summer and most likely will continue to. This is because healthcare providers are already considering the possibility to bring back the 2020 protocols. Because, even though it is expected for COVID cases to increase during the fall and winter seasons, which is the time when the virus usually thrives, it is also proved that particularly in areas with low vaccination rates or limited healthcare capacity there are more risks for people to contract it and be affected by COVID and its variants.
Moreover, as mentioned before this summer has shown that there was truly a spike with the COVID virus and that it will most likely continue to increase, Dr Prickett also stated the following:
“Previously, June was our lowest month. We’ve been seeing admissions and patients come in with covid in June, July, and now August, so again, understanding there is no real season for COVID. Maybe that will change, but in our current state, we have to consider that this is COVID until otherwise.”
Which means that with this recent spike there will be a lot more individuals who are going to be vulnerable and susceptible to being admitted to the intensive care unit if they don’t have their adequate vaccines and reinforcements against these viruses. And like Dr. Prickett said, this will be considered COVID until otherwise.
The World Needs to Prepare for the Future
Nonetheless, it is very important to emphasize once again that COVID cases have definitely increased throughout this summer and most likely will continue to. Not to mention, that there is not a specific season anymore of when this virus and its mutants manifest anymore. But most importantly that everybody needs to prepare for the possibility for another “new normal” that might resemble the year 2020.
Ultimately, future waves and long-term implications might be foreseen from this virus and its variants. Especially because it is a strong threat against humanity if not managed appropriately. And it can be even more for those who are the most vulnerable in society health-wise. This is why everybody needs to take precautions and be prepared for the future.
Written by Jeanette Sanchez
Sources:
WGN9: Much like the weather, summer COVID infections are heating up
WXII12: COVID-19 cases continue to plague Piedmont as part of summer surge
Newsweek: COVID Update: Map Shows Highest Rates Across US
The Hill: Summer COVID surge shows we may have to return to 2020 pandemic measures
Featured Image Courtesy of Province of British Columbia Flickr Page-Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Simon Flickr Page-Creative Commons License
