Post by Nadica (She/Her) on Aug 30, 2024 2:57:55 GMT
COVID-19 cases continue to plague Piedmont as part of summer surge - Published Aug 29, 2024
COVID-19 cases are continuing to plague the nation, including in the Piedmont Triad.
Local doctors say, according to wastewater numbers, we're seeing just about as much COVID-19 now as we did last January and February.
The good news is that cases aren't nearly as severe.
Local doctors say the COVID-19 "flirt" variants we're dealing with now are more infectious, but less likely to cause severe disease.
"Even though we're seeing a lot of cases and wastewater numbers reflect that-- we haven't seen a lot of hospitalizations," said WFU School of Medicine infectious disease expert Dr. Chris Ohl. "In fact, most people in the hospital are there for other reasons — and just happen to test positive for COVID because they have a stuffy nose."
COVID-19 boosters, directed specifically toward the current variants now circulating, are available.
Ohl recommends waiting until October to get the shot unless you're immunocompromised, so you can be protected through the winter months.
If you are immunocompromised, he says to go ahead and get boosted now — and then repeat in three to four months.
COVID-19 cases are continuing to plague the nation, including in the Piedmont Triad.
Local doctors say, according to wastewater numbers, we're seeing just about as much COVID-19 now as we did last January and February.
The good news is that cases aren't nearly as severe.
Local doctors say the COVID-19 "flirt" variants we're dealing with now are more infectious, but less likely to cause severe disease.
"Even though we're seeing a lot of cases and wastewater numbers reflect that-- we haven't seen a lot of hospitalizations," said WFU School of Medicine infectious disease expert Dr. Chris Ohl. "In fact, most people in the hospital are there for other reasons — and just happen to test positive for COVID because they have a stuffy nose."
COVID-19 boosters, directed specifically toward the current variants now circulating, are available.
Ohl recommends waiting until October to get the shot unless you're immunocompromised, so you can be protected through the winter months.
If you are immunocompromised, he says to go ahead and get boosted now — and then repeat in three to four months.