The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued an advisory , predicting a surge in hospital admissions attributed to Covid-19 infections due to the spread of new variants.
The CDC's latest advisory, released this week has raised alarm among health workers. The advisory projects a significant rise in daily Covid-19 hospital admissions, with estimates ranging from 1,100 to 7,500 admissions per day.The surge in case is expected to be reported by September 18..
The BA.2.86 variant, characterized by a high number of gene mutations, has captured the attention of global health authorities, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US health agencies. Although the variant's potential for higher transmissibility remains uncertain, experts are closely monitoring its progress.
The Eris variant (EG.5) is also seeing continuous spread within the United States. WHO has designated it as a "variant of interest".
The CDC in its new approach of tracking COVID 19 cases instead of focusing on case counts, now prioritizes monitoring hospital admissions and deaths to better assess the impact of the virus. Data from the Biobot Analytics wastewater database points to a rise in cases.
Several regions in the US are responding to the increasing caseload by reinstating mask mandates. Reports indicate that Hollywood studio Lionsgate and Morris Brown liberal arts college in Atlanta have reintroduced mask requirements in an effort to curb the spread of the virus.
Amidst these challenges, Covid-19 booster vaccines are anticipated to receive approval and distribution by the end of September.
With the summer travel season underway and students returning to school, concerns loom large regarding further case escalation. Health experts emphasize the importance of vaccination, masking, and adhering to recommended safety measures to mitigate the impact of the virus.
