Post by Nadica (She/Her) on Aug 14, 2024 2:10:52 GMT
NC is one of 27 states with ‘very high’ COVID activity, CDC says. Time for new vaccine? - Published Aug 13, 2024
Nationally, COVID-19 levels are rising. More than half of states in the U.S., including North Carolina, are reporting “very high” levels of SARS-CoV-2 viral activity in wastewater.
At least 27 states are reporting “very high” levels of the virus that causes COVID-19 in their wastewater, and an additional 17 are reporting “high” levels, according to the latest update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Wastewater levels are “the proverbial canary in the coal mine,” said Dr. David Wohl, professor of medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. “What it tells us is how much COVID-19 is out there.”
Dr. David Weber, medical director of the Department of Hospital Epidemiology at UNC Health, said wastewater levels are particularly important in measuring “the amount of virus that’s out in the community for people who are mildly ill and not seeing a physician at all.”
“We, ourselves, at UNC hospitals are seeing increased cases of COVID, increased positivity in testing,” said Weber.
Why is COVID increasing during the summer?
Generally, many viruses “survive better at low temperatures and low humidity,” Weber said. The CDC National Wastewater Surveillance System dashboard shows that wastewater levels of COVID-19, though, are quickly approaching levels found during the winter months.
Weber says there are three reasons for these high levels in August.
First, when a new variant appears in the summer, Weber said, it “hasn’t fallen into the typical winter cycles yet that we see with other viral diseases.” The new variants this summer are “not, in general, more likely to cause severe disease, but [they are] more transmissible.”
He said that’s why wastewater levels of COVID-19 are higher, but people infected with new strains of COVID-19 are “not sicker than in previous waves.”
COVID-19 rates are also rising because of waning immunity since “many people have not received recent boosters,” Weber said. “Vaccines prevent infections for about three months. They prevent serious disease for about six months.”
He expects new vaccines targeting the new variants to arrive by the end of the month.
“As soon as it’s available, people should get the vaccine, and because most people at least have some previous immunity, the vaccine should rapidly give them some protection,” Weber said.
Wohl agrees. “In general, getting vaccinated with the new vaccine any time after they become available makes sense given the high rates of COVID-19 we are seeing now.”
In the meantime, Wohl noted, “If you are 75 years old and headed on a seven-day cruise, [it] may make sense to get the current vaccine, and then get the new one before Thanksgiving.”
Masks can still offer protection
Lastly, Weber cites the absence of masks as another reason for rising wastewater levels.
“The mask can be protective in how many particles you expel,” said Weber. “Anyone who feels particularly at risk can wear a mask.”
If you are a high-risk individual who tests positive, Weber said it is important to talk to your doctor within five days about oral therapies like Remdesivir. These can “substantially reduce their risks for severe disease, hospitalizations, and death,” but they must be taken shortly after the onset of symptoms
Nationally, COVID-19 levels are rising. More than half of states in the U.S., including North Carolina, are reporting “very high” levels of SARS-CoV-2 viral activity in wastewater.
At least 27 states are reporting “very high” levels of the virus that causes COVID-19 in their wastewater, and an additional 17 are reporting “high” levels, according to the latest update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Wastewater levels are “the proverbial canary in the coal mine,” said Dr. David Wohl, professor of medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. “What it tells us is how much COVID-19 is out there.”
Dr. David Weber, medical director of the Department of Hospital Epidemiology at UNC Health, said wastewater levels are particularly important in measuring “the amount of virus that’s out in the community for people who are mildly ill and not seeing a physician at all.”
“We, ourselves, at UNC hospitals are seeing increased cases of COVID, increased positivity in testing,” said Weber.
Why is COVID increasing during the summer?
Generally, many viruses “survive better at low temperatures and low humidity,” Weber said. The CDC National Wastewater Surveillance System dashboard shows that wastewater levels of COVID-19, though, are quickly approaching levels found during the winter months.
Weber says there are three reasons for these high levels in August.
First, when a new variant appears in the summer, Weber said, it “hasn’t fallen into the typical winter cycles yet that we see with other viral diseases.” The new variants this summer are “not, in general, more likely to cause severe disease, but [they are] more transmissible.”
He said that’s why wastewater levels of COVID-19 are higher, but people infected with new strains of COVID-19 are “not sicker than in previous waves.”
COVID-19 rates are also rising because of waning immunity since “many people have not received recent boosters,” Weber said. “Vaccines prevent infections for about three months. They prevent serious disease for about six months.”
He expects new vaccines targeting the new variants to arrive by the end of the month.
“As soon as it’s available, people should get the vaccine, and because most people at least have some previous immunity, the vaccine should rapidly give them some protection,” Weber said.
Wohl agrees. “In general, getting vaccinated with the new vaccine any time after they become available makes sense given the high rates of COVID-19 we are seeing now.”
In the meantime, Wohl noted, “If you are 75 years old and headed on a seven-day cruise, [it] may make sense to get the current vaccine, and then get the new one before Thanksgiving.”
Masks can still offer protection
Lastly, Weber cites the absence of masks as another reason for rising wastewater levels.
“The mask can be protective in how many particles you expel,” said Weber. “Anyone who feels particularly at risk can wear a mask.”
If you are a high-risk individual who tests positive, Weber said it is important to talk to your doctor within five days about oral therapies like Remdesivir. These can “substantially reduce their risks for severe disease, hospitalizations, and death,” but they must be taken shortly after the onset of symptoms