COVID-19 continues to be raging—which any high-risk or immunocompromised particular person might’ve advised you way back—and proper now, there’s an enormous surge of infections throughout the usInfectious illness specialists say it is comparatively uncommon to see surges in the summertime months, however because of the warmth wave (or dome, relying on the place you reside), extra persons are congregating indoors to savor air con and search respite from hovering temperatures and humidity.There are at present 39 states with rising or possible rising surges of COVID-19, and knowledge from the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) makes it look unlikely to see a decline anytime quickly.Associated: A Startling New Examine Discovered That 75% of Previous COVID Sufferers Could Undergo From This Coronary heart Situation”There’s concern within the public well being group {that a} summer season spike in COVID-19 circumstances could happen because of the brand new FLiRT variants mixed with much less vaccine uptake and declining immunity locally, in addition to elevated journey and indoor gatherings in the course of the summer season,” medical epidemiologist and board-certified pathologist Dr. David A. Schwartz, MD, MS Hyg, FCAP, tells Parade. “Laboratory analysis means that the present vaccines and immunity acquired from earlier an infection is probably not efficient in producing excessive ranges of safety, particularly amongst sure individuals with threat components reminiscent of these individuals with underlying situations, the immunocompromised and the aged.”Dr. Ashley L. Drews, MD, an epidemiologist at Houston Methodist, factors out, “We now have seen COVID surges each summer season because the onset of the pandemic, however this one appears to be beginning earlier in the summertime than the earlier summer season COVID surges. We’re possible seeing a surge proper now as essentially the most broadly circulating variants, the FLiRT variants, have mutated and additional evaded the immune system coupled with waning immunity usually. There was low uptake from the up to date COVID vaccine within the fall of 2023.”What’s extra, whereas hospitalizations are low in comparison with the height of the pandemic in 2020, they’re nonetheless going up in comparison with the place they had been within the spring.”Emergency room visits for COVID-19 have elevated over 14% from the week earlier than,” Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare infectious illness doctor Dr. Shirin Mazumder, MD, says. “COVID-related hospitalizations have additionally elevated by 25% from the earlier week.Actually, these numbers will possible enhance even additional when individuals journey for July 4 events and lengthy weekends—and these numbers do not even keep in mind lengthy COVID, which might linger for months or extra in some sufferers and be actually critical.Here is what to know in regards to the present COVID-19 surge, what signs to look out for, tips on how to keep protected and shield your self and others.Associated: This Thermostat Setting Might Assist Shield You From the New COVID Variant, In line with Infectious Illness ExpertsWhat Is the Most Widespread Symptom of the June-July 2024 COVID-19 Surge?Infectious illness specialists and epidemiologists we spoke with agreed that the commonest COVID symptom of the present surge is a sore throat.”Sadly one of the vital widespread COVID signs at present appears to be a sore throat with or with out a delicate fever,” infectious illness specialist Dr. Andreas M. Kogelnik, MD, PhD., tells us. “I say sadly as a result of—after all—a sore throat will be attributed to many various causes.”That is very true for individuals who have seasonal allergy symptoms, making it simpler to dismiss the symptom as a excessive pollen rely versus a contagious an infection like COVID.Different COVID signs generally being reported embrace:Physique achesChillsCongestionCoughFatigueFeverSome excellent news? Lack of scent and style, which had been widespread signs of prior COVID strains, at the moment are unusual.And a bit extra excellent news: “COVID signs have remained very constant within the final couple of years,” Dr. Mazumder factors out. “With the knowledge obtainable to this point, there doesn’t look like a rise in symptom severity because it pertains to hospitalizations and loss of life with the at present circulating strains.”Associated: The #1 Early COVID Signal Most Individuals Miss, In line with an Infectious Illness ExpertHow Can You Shield Your self From New COVID-19 Variants?We will begin by not ignoring that COVID-19 continues to be very a lot round, even when our governments need to faux in any other case.”COVID continues to steadily change and adapt round us,” Dr. Kogelnik says. “The present wave of COVID, which shows milder signs, and the overall world exhaustion with COVID precautions from the peak of the pandemic, is greater than sufficient to go away many individuals skipping a easy hand wash and different protecting measures which, in flip, permit a persistent virus to be extra persistent.”Along with hand-washing (which you need to be doing anyway!), masking, self-isolating and frequent testing can all assist hold you and others shielded from the present COVID surge.Associated: The Tremendous Easy COVID Prevention Tip Most Individuals Neglect About, In line with Infectious Illness ExpertsShould You Get a COVID Booster to Shield Your self From the Surge?The reply to it will rely on when (or if!) you bought the latest COVID-19 booster, launched final fall, and what your total well being appears like.”Though there’ll most certainly be an up to date COVID-19 vaccine this fall, people over the age of six months who haven’t acquired the present booster ought to contemplate getting vaccinated,” Dr. Mazumder says. “People who find themselves immunocompromised and people over the age of 65 are eligible to obtain one other booster dose of the vaccine even when they acquired one final fall. So long as it has been at the very least 4 months since their final vaccine, individuals on this class can get one other booster. The COVID-19 vaccine helps to lower the chance of extreme illness, hospitalization and loss of life. With an anticipated summer season wave, now is a good time to stand up so far on the COVID-19 vaccine.”In case you did get your booster final fall, you are in all probability OK if you do not have different pre-existing situations or complication dangers, an infection illness doctor Dr. Robert Salata, MD, says—however you need to positively roll up a sleeve for the following dose when summer season ends. He notes, “There will likely be a brand new vaccine predominantly developed towards predominantly circulating strains which must be obtainable early this fall.”Subsequent, Here is How Lengthy COVID Is Contagious After You Get a Constructive TestSources