As the holiday season approaches, health officials in the United States are predicting a surge in flu and COVID-19 infections. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a rise in flu-like illnesses in 17 states, up from 14 states the previous week.
The combination of increased travel, holiday gatherings, and a high number of unvaccinated individuals contributes to the spread of viruses, says Dr. Manisha Patel from the CDC. People are eager to reunite with their families, resulting in a potential spike in infections.
Authorities are particularly concerned about the new variant of the coronavirus, dubbed JN.1, which is more transmissible than previous variants. Initially discovered in September, the omicron variant currently accounts for about 20% of cases in the U.S. The CDC projects this number to reach 50% within the next two weeks.
While the omicron variant may spread more easily and have the ability to evade the immune system, there is no evidence to suggest that it causes more severe illness than other variants. Vaccines and antiviral medications are still effective against it.
Regarding the flu, early indications suggest that the current vaccines align well with the prevalent strain, which typically causes fewer deaths and hospitalizations compared to other strains.
However, vaccination rates have dropped this year. Only 42% of U.S. adults had received flu shots by early December, a decrease from the 45% vaccinated during the same period last year. Similarly, uptake of other vaccinations, including the updated COVID-19 booster shots released in September, has been slow. Only approximately 18% of the population has received the booster, while nursing homes report that only one-third of residents are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines.
Furthermore, a mere 17% of adults aged 60 and above have received new shots for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), another common respiratory infection. Although RSV typically induces mild cold-like symptoms, it can pose a serious threat to infants and the elderly.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the CDC issued a health alert to U.S. doctors, urging them to prioritize immunization against these three viruses.
Recent data from the CDC reveals that the Carolinas are currently experiencing a surge in respiratory infections in emergency rooms. While the situation is not as severe as in previous years, some patients are forced to wait for days to secure a hospital bed. Dr. Scott Curry, an infectious diseases specialist at the Medical University of South Carolina, expresses concern that the situation could worsen in the coming four to eight weeks, particularly when colder weather hits the region.
The CDC’s warning aims to raise awareness about the risks of flu and COVID-19 infections during the holiday season. A concerted effort to increase vaccination rates and adhere to preventive measures can help mitigate the spread of these respiratory illnesses.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
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