Late-Summer Surge of Covid Infections Hits Schools, Workplaces, and Local Government
Amid growing concerns over rising coronavirus cases, experts are warning the public to brace for further spread of Covid-19 this fall and winter. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates a 24 percent increase in hospitalizations during a two-week period ending on August 12. Wastewater monitoring suggests a recent surge in Covid infections in the West and Northeast regions of the United States. Outbreaks have occurred in various communities, affecting preschools, summer camps, and office buildings.
Public health officials have noted that the increase in Covid hospitalizations is still relatively small, with the majority of patients experiencing mild symptoms similar to a cold or the flu. However, despite the Biden administration’s expiration of the public health emergency declaration last year, many Americans are reluctant to return to frequent testing, mask-wearing, and isolation.
For those who believed the nation had moved beyond the pandemic, the current wave serves as a reminder that the emerging “New Normal” still includes the presence of the virus. Michael T. Osterholm, the director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, emphasized this point, stating, “We’re in almost the best place we’ve been in the pandemic since it began, but we are caught in the very uncomfortable area… trying to understand what the sunrise on a normal post-Covid world looks like.”
Despite the relaxation of Covid restrictions, remnants of the pandemic’s impact can still be seen in cities across the country. Retail stores often have signs requesting customers to wear masks, although adherence to this request is low. Stickers promoting social distancing have faded and are disregarded, and some storefronts advertise free Covid-19 testing while remaining empty.
The virus continues to disrupt work, school, and politics, as evidenced by a recent outbreak tied to a City Council meeting in Nashville. Multiple individuals, including council members, city employees, and a reporter, tested positive for Covid. The outbreak serves as a stark reminder that the virus remains a threat in communities.
As schools reopen, administrators are hesitant to reinstate stricter rules regarding masks and testing. While Covid-related hospitalizations in Chicago remain low, the public school district plans to provide free rapid Covid tests to students and staff without resuming testing in schools.
According to Hedy N. Chang, executive director of Attendance Works, schools need to strike a balance in the face of rising Covid infections. She suggests being judicious about keeping children home and only doing so if there is a genuine issue.
Dr. John M. Coleman, a critical care doctor at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, expects Covid infections to continue increasing during the fall and winter. However, he notes that the most recent strains of the virus are less severe compared to earlier variations. Hospitalized Covid patients tend to have pre-existing conditions or suppressed immune systems, making them more susceptible to severe symptoms.
Dr. Coleman emphasizes the importance of living alongside Covid and adopting preventive measures such as receiving boosters, frequent handwashing, and wearing masks when feeling unwell. Public health officials have stressed prevention and treatment throughout the summer in response to the rise in Covid cases. The Cambridge health department in Massachusetts reported outbreaks in nursing homes and advised the public to ensure they are up-to-date on vaccinations.
Certain institutions have reinstated pandemic-era rules in response to the recent increase in Covid infections. For example, Lionsgate, a movie studio in Los Angeles, required employees to wear masks in the office due to a Covid outbreak among staff. Similarly, Morris Brown College in Atlanta reintroduced face mask requirements, banned parties and large gatherings on campus for two weeks, and implemented temperature checks for students.
In some isolated parts of the country, it feels as though the pandemic never left. The Navajo Nation, which was severely impacted by Covid during the pandemic, is currently experiencing a rise in cases. Employees at the Navajo Nation Parks and Recreation office in Arizona continue to wear masks at their desks out of concern for the health of their elders.
With the late-summer wave of Covid infections affecting various sectors of society, it is evident that the virus remains a persistent challenge. As communities navigate the ongoing pandemic, it is crucial to strike a balance between embracing a post-Covid world and taking necessary precautions to prevent further spread and protect vulnerable populations.