COVID-19…Still Here

In the seemingly never-ending COVID-19 saga, the US is experiencing a surge of a new Omicron variant.  Unfortunately this particular variant, BA.5 is reported to be the most contagious one so far, and currently, the most dominant strain in the United States.  The CDC has a model called Nowcast which estimates the more recent proportions of circulating variants to allow for timely public health action.  True tracking data is challenging with the presence of home testing.  An expert professor at the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation estimates for every reported case, there are 7 cases unreported.  The Nowcast site also reports the variants in the ten regions of the US.  Here are some fast facts on the Omicron variant according to the CDC:

• Omicron infection seems to be associated with a milder version of the disease.  However, some individuals will have severe infection, require hospitalization, and could die from this variant.
• Hospitalizations from new confirmed cases of COVID-19 are predicted to continue to rise through the next few weeks until August 5^th (based on numerous modeling forecasts).
• This site, has an interactive COVID-19 County Check to find community levels and prevention steps.
• An updated booster vaccine which is effective against variants BA.4 and BA.5 is expected to be released this fall.

Home care organizations—home health, hospice, and personal care services—must continue to be diligent in their infection control measures.