Why are we seeing a COVID-19 surge now? Every summer since COVID-19 was initially declared a pandemic, we have seen an increase in SARS-CoV-2 infections. This likely results from the cyclical nature of the virus in which an increase in cases is followed by a quieter period only to see yet another rise in infections (much like the seasonal influenza). Many parts of the country experienced hotter-than-average weather this past August, and thus the rise in cases may also be due to people retreating indoors together. Experts believe that COVID-19 will continue to increase in the fall and winter due to the rise of new subvariants and the general return to indoors for many socialization, educational, and community activities. For example, many school systems around the country have already seen an increase in cases with school openings.
What COVID-19 variant is currently circulating? The virus which causes COVID-19 is constantly changing. The current strain spreading around the U.S. is a descendant (also known as a subvariant) of the highly transmissible omicron variant that was prevalent back in 2021. This latest strain is called EG.5 (unofficially nicknamed “Eris”), and it now makes up the largest proportion of new infections in the U.S. Additional omicron subvariants have also been detected.
Who is at risk? Everyone. Evidence shows people can be reinfected with COVID-19 multiple times. If you have recently had COVID-19, you will typically have some immunity for a few months following the infection. It is important to note that COVID-19 continues to disproportionally affect people 75 years or older or those with health issues such as diabetes or lung disease. Low income and communities of color have been shown to be at increased risk for adverse events associated with acute COVID-19, including higher rates of infection, hospital admissions, and in-hospital death. These disparities are linked to the many conditions that are already seen at higher rates in the Black population, including hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, liver diseases, and autoimmune diseases. Many low-income populations are also subject to higher density living environments and experience poorer access to insurance and health care (Andraska et al. 2021; Moore et al 2020).
How can I protect myself? On September 11, 2023, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approved two new COVID-19 booster shots developed by both Moderna and Pfizer. These new shots differ from previous ones by being tailored to target the new omicron subvariants. All current strains circulating the U.S. are descendants of omicron, so experts believe these new shots will still protect against severe disease (FDA, 2023). For example, evidence shows that those that received the 2022-2023 vaccine booster saw greater protection against severe illness and hospitalization as compared to those that did not receive the vaccine (CDC, 2023). Up-to-date vaccination can also reduce your chances of suffering the effects of long COVID (see Part 2 to learn more). Don’t wait; schedule your vaccine booster now: www.vaccines.gov
Who does the current booster target? The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get an updated COVID-19 vaccine. If you have already had COVID-19 recently, you may want to delay getting the vaccine by three months (CDC, 2023). If you have not received a COVID-19 vaccine in the past two months, get an updated vaccine now! As noted, you can contract COVID-19 multiple times, so it is critical to remain up to date on your vaccine boosters (CDC, 2023).
What does the vaccine cost? Most Americans can receive the new booster free from their public or private insurance. Uninsured Americans can access the shots at community health centers, state, local, Tribal, and territorial health departments, and pharmacies participating in the CDC’s Bridge Access Program. Children eligible for the Vaccines for Children Program can also receive the vaccine from a program provider (CDC, 2023). To learn more about how to access the vaccine, visit: www.vaccines.gov
Long COVID is defined as signs, symptoms, and conditions that continue or develop after an acute COVID-19 infection. Long COVID can include a wide range of ongoing health problems, sometimes lasting weeks, months, and even years. Although long COVID occurs more often in people who had severe COVID-19 illness, anyone who has been infected with the virus can experience it. People who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 and become infected are at higher risk of developing long COVID as compared to people who have been vaccinated.
Since people can be reinfected with COVID-19 multiple times. Each time a person is infected or reinfected, they have a risk of developing long COVID. While most people with long COVID have evidence of illness; in some cases, a person with long COVID may not have tested positive for the virus or even know they were reinfected.
Some people, especially those who had a severe COVID-19 infection, may experience multi-organ effects or autoimmune conditions, including lupus and type 1 diabetes. Multi-organ effects can affect many body systems, including the skin, heart, kidney, lungs, and brain. This means that people who have had COVID-19 may be at higher risk to develop new health conditions in the future, like diabetes, heart conditions, blood clots, or neurological conditions (CDC 2023).
The best way to prevent long COVID is to protect yourself and your family from becoming infected. Stay up to date on your vaccinations. In addition, improving ventilation (such as opening windows or using fans), washing your hands, and making sure to get tested if you have symptoms can all help (CDC, 2023). The evidence suggests that people who get a COVID-19 infection after vaccination are less likely to report long COVID, compared to people who are unvaccinated.
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