Centers for Disease Control Latest US Covid-19 data, August. 19, showed a continued upward trend in hospitalizations — an 18.8% rise from July 30-Aug. 5, the most recent period for which data are available.
Deaths have also increased – 21.4% across the country from August 6-12.
for that State of MassachusettsAs of August 12, the number of weekly new hospitalizations for COVID-19 stood at 327 and weekly deaths at 19, slightly higher than in previous weeks. According to the CDC.
Further step CDC, Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket counties have low community risk levels. Risk leveling uses hospital and patient data to inform how much a community is affected by COVID-19.
Covid-19 Hospitalizations in Cape Cod and Islands
Closer to home, Aug. In the 17th CDC Weekly Report, Barnstable County 186 new Covid-19 hospitalizations, a 40.9% change in hospitalizations from the previous week.
According to Claire Seguin, chief nurse and vice president at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, in July, the emergency department treated 33 people with COVID-19, and this month, as of Monday, Aug. 14, there were 43 patients late. With covid-19.
Among them, the hospital currently has three patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Two of them are in stable condition and one has been admitted to intensive care unit.
As of Wednesday, 15 to 20 patients at Cape Cod Healthcare hospitals have tested positive for Covid-19. According to William Agell, MD, MPH, chief medical officer of Cape Cod Healthcare, which operates Cape Cod and Falmouth Hospitals, most of these patients do not have Covid-19 symptoms and have been admitted for other medical reasons.
Why is covid-19 on the rise again?
According to Agel, the current circulating strains are all subtypes of Omicron, and at this time, there is no single dominant subtype.
“The current increase in transmission may be secondary to a combination of factors, including waning immunity after low virus activity in the spring and early summer and since vaccination, changing social behaviors associated with the virus, and partial immune escape by new subtypes,” Agell said.
Is the latest Omicron variant dangerous?
The EG.5 coronavirus is a new sub-variant and a derivative of Omicron – which is still the most common coronavirus strain in the world today.
EG.5 now accounts for the largest proportion of Covid-19 cases nationwide, accounting for 20% of cases. CDC.
In its latest update, the World Health Organization classified EG.5 is a variant of interest that countries should monitor. The organization also said it poses a lower risk to public health compared to other Omicron derivatives because there is no evidence that it causes more serious illness.
“We’ve seen a modest increase in COVID cases, but not the same increase in serious illnesses,” Agell said.
According to Wendy Judd, a public health nurse at the Barnstable County Health Department, the new mutation is not yet robust and has not caused severe illness or symptoms or hospitalizations.
How long does it take to recover from the new covid-19 variant?
“Recovery time depends on individuals, and in our region we have people who are up-to-date with the current vaccine, so even if they get COVID they’re less likely to get sick,” Judd said.
According to Judd, more effective recommendations include wearing a mask and practicing good hygiene, proper hand washing and staying away from others who are immunocompromised.
What are the symptoms?
Like other Omicron strains, EG.5 affects the upper respiratory tract, causing runny nose, sore throat and Other cold-like symptoms, as opposed to lower respiratory tract symptoms. But people who are 65 or older or have weakened immune systems are at risk of the virus traveling down the lower respiratory tract, causing severe illness.
When will new covid-19 boosters be available?
A new booster shot is expected this fall.
While Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax all have versions aimed at its close cousin, the Omicron offshoot XPB 1.5, the Booster may not be a perfect match for the EG.5.
In August, Moderna declared Early clinical trials show that its booster shot can effectively target the EG.5 variant.
“We’re waiting for the new vaccine to come out, and when it’s available, we’ll be offering it in Barnstable County once the Covid clinics are available,” Judd said.
He also recommends that people stay up-to-date with their flu vaccine.
Rasheek Tapasum Mujib writes on health and education. Reach out to her [email protected].
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