I think the vaccines have been a pretty big game-changer for this (variant), because we've seen a marked reduction in the number of people getting hospitalized, even though breakthrough infections clearly happen," Turner said.Īnother focus: booster shots. "I'm not really anticipating that we'd be anywhere near those concerns for a surge capacity like we were with Delta. Turner noted about six percent of current hospitalizations are due to COVID. Hospitalizations and ICU admissions are lagging indicators, though Dr. Partly because the virus is more transmissible right now, partly because we know it's a considerate thing for other individuals, not knowing whether or not they have a troubled immune system," Dr. "If your county happens to be one of those high transmission ranges, then yes I think it makes good sense to be wearing a mask when you're out in those public places. If you're vaccinated but your last booster like ours was last fall, then I think it's really time to think about masking if you're going to be in a crowded, indoor event," Dixon said. "If I were unvaccinated right now, I would mask everywhere I went. This recent rise also coincides with the removal or relaxation of most COVID restrictions including mask mandates and capacity restrictions, as well as increases in travel. The increase in cases is largely spurred by the more transmissible BA.5 variant, which accounts for about 50% of cases in North Carolina, and the majority of cases nationally. We have more treatments available now that can reduce the severity of disease, which can reduce transmission, and I think there's an increasing uptick of those," infection prevention specialist at WakeMed Health and Hospitals Jessica Dixon explained.ĭixon also discussed the recent approval of the Novavax vaccine, which could lead to an increase in people getting vaccinated. We are also in a different place with this virus. And it definitely is something that I'm concerned about. "I have a middle schooler who will be going back on a traditional calendar next month. Health officials believe case counts are underreported, due to the prevalence of at-home testing. I think in the past we felt children weren't a big contributor to the spread of COVID, but that is shifting now," Dr. "Thankfully, severe disease, while it does happen, is still far less common in children than in adults. Last week, NCDHHS said 10% of reported cases were in school-aged children. Statewide, only 3% of children 4 and younger, 27% of 5 to 11 year-olds, and 48% of 12 to 17 year-olds have received at least one vaccine dose. Yesterday, Davis shared she received her first COVID-19 vaccine dose. Until this is a lot lower, we've changed our whole routine," Stanley Davis added. I'm not going to movies, I'm not going on cruises, I'm not going on vacation, I'm not even going to funerals. My granddaughter at daycare, she wears a mask all day. "When I'm not outside, I've got a mask on. We're getting used to having COVID for over two years now," Mai Allam said.Īllam says she brings her daughter to the park during the week when it's less crowded. So we just take care of ourselves, using sanitizer, sometimes if it's crowded, we use masks. "It's too hard to keep the kids at home while in the summer break. Nicholas Turner, an assistant Professor of Infectious Diseases at Duke University Hospital.Īt Pullen Park Friday, parents shared how they were adjusting to the uptick. Partly because the virus is more transmissible right now, partly because we know it's a considerate thing for other individuals, not knowing whether or not they have a troubled immune system," said Dr. This year on July 20th, the 7-day moving average of new cases was reported at 125,827, more than three times higher. The CDC reported the 7-day moving average of new cases was 39,777 last July 20th. (WTVD) - Health officials are urging caution as COVID-19 cases continue to trend up nationally. Health officials are urging caution as COVID-19 cases continue to trend up nationally.
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