As a summer wave of Covid-19 hits the United States, questions about vaccines, quarantine and testing are back

Covid-19 is on the rise once more in the United States as the world approaches the fourth viral season since the coronavirus first appeared. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveal a modest increase in hospital admissions, ER visits, and positive Covid-19 testing – though not nearly as high as in previous summers.
Summer travel, severe heat that forces people indoors, and decreased virus protection may all be too responsible for this surge in Covid-19 activity, rather than an infectious new strain. Experts say it's impossible to predict what the fall and winter virus seasons will bring, but there are still measures available to help you get through the summer spike and prepare for the months ahead.
Should you be vaccinated now or wait until the fall for a new booster?
Because Covid-19 isn't going away, experts advise being vaccinated against it in the same way you would for the flu.
Both Moderna and Pfizer are developing improved Covid-19 vaccines for the XBB strains, which are subvariants of the Omicron variant. According to Pfizer, the new shot might be approved in November, and immunizations will be accessible in late September or early October.
According to Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease specialist at the University of California, San Francisco, if you are over the age of 65 or have a weaker immune system, and you have no recent immunity to Covid-19, you should obtain an updated Covid-19 shot right away. The bivalent booster that is now available will provide adequate immunity. People who receive the current booster will have to wait weeks or months before receiving the revised booster, which is slated to be available in the fall.
Is Covid's isolation advice changing?
Aside from immunization, the best strategy to prevent the spread of Covid-19 is to isolate yourself if you are sick. The CDC's advice remains unchanged: If you test positive for the virus, you must stay at home for at least five days. Experts also advise Covid-19 patients to wear a mask even if they do not have symptoms. 
Are at-home tests still valid?
You may not have purchased an at-home Covid-19 test kit in a long time, but experts recommend that people use them if they feel ill. Don't dismiss it as the flu or an ordinary cold.
What treatments are effective against Covid-19?
Many people who get Covid-19 have flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, and headache, while others have no symptoms at all. The treatment in these cases remains the same as it has been throughout the pandemic. Patients should relax and consume plenty of water while taking over-the-counter medicine.