The number of coronavirus cases is increasing in the United States, but experts say there is no need to worry because the virus is weakening over time. Many Americans have residual immunity from past coronavirus infections or vaccines, and while the virus continues to spread, its impact is waning.
Vanderbilt University, USAWilliam SchaffnerAccording to the professor, who specializes in infectious diseases, the main subtype at the moment is “highly contagious”, but “it does not cause serious illness.” Although the amount of the new coronavirus in sewage, an indicator of infection, is higher in some parts of the United States than during last summer’s outbreak, the number of hospitalized patients remains low.
“Our herd immunity is very high,” said Schaffner. The elderly and some groups are still at risk, but most healthy people are well protected by past infection and vaccination.
Hospital Rates Rise But Remain Low
Stanley Plotkin, professor emeritus of pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania and a consultant to vaccine manufacturers, said that the coronavirus “is trying to spread, and people are stopping the spread. Infecting as many people as possible.” to do.”
Plotkin predicts that the new coronavirus will have symptoms similar to the rhinovirus that causes the common cold. He predicted that the coronavirus would come and go and happen again, but it would not be very dangerous.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)According to the data, the number of patients hospitalized due to the new coronavirus in the last week of June was approximately 2 per 100,000 people. The number of patients in hospital is gradually increasing, but it is far from the winter peak of 7.7 per 100,000 people at the end of December 2023.
Omicron excellence
Recently a milder version of the dominant Omicron breed began to spread in April. It now accounts for more than 60% of cases nationwide, according to the CDC. Many variants have been identified since the start of the coronavirus outbreak, but Omicron and its derivatives, introduced in 2021, are now leading the way.
This milder form of the virus does not sit well with vaccine makers such as Pfizer, as it makes it harder to recommend vaccination.Released in September last yeara new vaccineAbout one quarter of adults are vaccinated.
One possible solution is to combine the flu vaccine, which about half of Americans have received, with the coronavirus vaccine. In addition, to increase demand, a strategy has emerged to introduce new vaccines, which would traditionally be introduced in September, until September.
Analysis of the coronavirus is more difficult because hospitals in the United States are no longer required to report data on May 1. To monitor the state of the infection,Sewage analysisA growing number of cities and states are doing so.
The data shows that infections have been increasing for about two months, especially in the western United States, according to the CDC. US Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Becerra is among those infected. Becerra tested positive on the 16th, the department said.
Jefferies analyst Akash Tewari said the spike was in line with a historical pattern of peaks in coronavirus infections in summer and winter, and that the latest signs “point to a milder season.” recent research report.
Original title:Summer Wave of Covid Returns Even as Hospital Occupancies Remain Low(excerpt)