In the upcoming weeks, anticipate a surge in flu and COVID-19 cases, according to statements from U.S. health authorities.
The rise in infections is attributed to various factors, including holiday gatherings, many unvaccinated individuals, and the potential increased transmissibility of a novel coronavirus variant.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) disclosed on Friday that 17 states experienced heightened levels of flu-like illnesses last week, showing an increase from the 14 states reported the previous week.
Dr. Manisha Patel
This season, people are engaging in more travel, driven by a desire to reunite with their families,” stated Dr. Manisha Patel of the CDC. “All of these factors contribute to the spread of viruses.
Health authorities closely monitor a variant of the continuously evolving coronavirus, identified as JN.1. Initially identified in the U.S. in September, the omicron variant currently represents approximately 20% of cases.
Dr. Manisha Patel from the CDC anticipates this figure will rise to 50% within two weeks.
While there are suggestions that it may spread more easily or possess enhanced immune system evasion capabilities, health officials emphasize that no evidence indicates the strain causes more severe illness than recent variants.
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Current findings also suggest that vaccines and antiviral medications remain effective against it.
Regarding the flu, initial indicators suggest that existing vaccines align well with the strain responsible for most illnesses. Typically, this strain is associated with fewer fatalities and hospitalizations compared to specific other variants.
However, the concerning aspect is the decline in vaccination rates this year, as reported by officials. By the first week of December, approximately 42% of U.S. adults had received flu shots, marking a decrease from the previous year’s rate of about 45%, according to the CDC.
COVID-19 Vaccinations.
Americans need to be more active in obtaining various vaccinations. Currently, only around 18% have received the updated COVID-19 shot made available in September. In nursing homes, approximately one-third of residents are current with their COVID-19 vaccinations.
A mere 17% of adults aged 60 and above have availed themselves of the new shots targeting another respiratory virus. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), known for causing mild cold-like symptoms, poses a potential danger for infants and older individuals.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
In a rare move, the CDC issued a health alert to U.S. doctors last week, urging them to immunise their patients against the three viruses.
As per the CDC data released this week, the Carolinas are presently witnessing the highest influx of respiratory infections in emergency rooms.
Dr. Scott Curry
While the situation is not as severe as in previous winters, Dr. Scott Curry, an infectious diseases specialist at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, pointed out that some patients are still experiencing delays of several days in securing a hospital bed.
In South Carolina, we’ve experienced minimal cold weather, and historically, the flu has a significant impact when colder temperatures prevail,” remarked Dr. Scott Curry. He emphasized the potential for worsening in the next four to eight weeks.