Health
Amid summer COVID surge warning from CDC, should you worry? Doctors weigh in
A summer COVID surge is underway in the U.S., warns the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — so should you be concerned?
As of June 25, 2024, the CDC estimated that COVID-19 infections are “growing or likely growing” in 44 states and territories, according to a news alert on its website.
Despite the rise in cases, hospitalizations and deaths remain low, the data shows.
COVID VACCINE COMPANIES TOLD TO FOCUS ON KP.2 VARIANT FOR FALL SHOTS, PER FDA ANNOUNCEMENT
Given that the pandemic was declared officially over as of May 5, 2023, public health officials don’t collect the same amount of COVID data as they once did.
“But the data that we do have from the CDC, including from monitoring wastewater, indicates that COVID-19 infections are rising in many places in the U.S.,” Dr. Jay Varma, chief medical officer at SIGA Technologies, a pharmaceutical company in New York City, told Fox News Digital.
A summer COVID surge is underway right now in the U.S., warns the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (iStock)
Dr. Marc Siegel, physician, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and a Fox News medical contributor, acknowledged that there’s been an uptick in cases recently.
CDC WARNS OF ‘DUAL MUTANT’ FLU STRAIN THAT COULD EVADE ANTIVIRAL DRUGS: ‘NEED TO CLOSELY MONITOR’
“There has been an upsurge in certain areas, including California — fueled by the so-called FLiRT variants, KP.3, KP.2 and KP.1,” he told Fox News Digital.
“It could spread to more states.”
COVID-19 infections are “growing or likely growing” in 44 states and territories, according to a CDC news alert. (iStock)
CDC data shows that the KP.3 and KP.2 strains — both of which are subvariants of the highly contagious JN.1 variant — currently account for over half of all new cases.
Does COVID spread more in summer?
Since COVID-19 emerged in 2020, scientists have learned that the virus has seasonal patterns, Varma said, with predictable peaks in spring/early summer and winter.
“Winter peaks are easy to explain — more people spend time indoors, and there are changes in the climate, including relative humidity, that make it easier for infections to spread through the air,” Varma, who served as the New York City mayor’s senior adviser for public health during the COVID-19 pandemic, told Fox News Digital.
COVID-FLU COMBO VACCINE SHOWS ‘POSITIVE’ RESULTS IN PHASE 3 TRIALS, MODERNA SAYS: A ‘TWO-FOR’ OPTION
It’s not quite as easy, however, to explain the peak during warmer weather.
“It may be because the virus evolves at a frequency that aligns with the spring/summer — or there could be other environmental factors that we do not understand well,” Varma said.
CDC data shows that the KP.3 and KP.2 strains — both of which are subvariants of the highly contagious JN.1 variant — account for more than half of all new cases this summer so far. (iStock)
Siegel, however, does not believe that COVID is seasonal.
“It is a respiratory virus, and it spreads when people huddle close together,” he told Fox News Digital.
“And like all respiratory viruses, it spreads further in low humidity.”
COVID VACCINE COMPANIES TOLD TO FOCUS ON KP.2 VARIANT FOR FALL SHOTS, PER FDA ANNOUNCEMENT
“Having said that, it has not shown itself to be seasonal, meaning that it can spread in warm weather easily as well.”
COVID’s subvariants (FLiRT) are “immunoevasive,” according to Siegel, which means people can get them even if they had prior immunity.
Ways to curb the spread
To reduce the chances of catching COVID this summer, Siegel said the same advice applies year-round.
“If you are sharing indoor air, such as on an airplane or in a crowded space, wearing a high-quality mask can reduce your risk of getting infected,” one doctor advised. (iStock)
“If you are sharing indoor air, such as on an airplane or in a crowded space, wearing a high-quality mask can reduce your risk of getting infected,” he advised.
“If you have any cough or cold symptoms, including what you think are allergies, it’s a good idea to take a rapid test for COVID-19.”
A rapid test is an effective way to determine whether you’re likely to be infectious to other people, Siegel added.
Despite the rise in cases, hospitalizations and deaths remain low, data shows.
Varma agreed, noting that “being aware and using rapid testing when exposed or sick helps.”
For high-risk people who become infected, Varma also recommends the use of Paxlovid, an antiviral medication that can help prevent severe illness.
Should you get a fall vaccine?
As of June 27, the CDC recommends that all people 6 months of age and older get updated 2024-2025 COVID vaccines when they become available in fall 2024.
“I think this is the right advice,” Siegel said.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
“While we know that the flu and COVID vaccines only provide partial protection, we know these vaccines are extremely safe and that they may lead to fewer days of work or school lost, fewer days of misery, a lower risk of long COVID, and a lower risk of spreading infection to other people who may have risk of hospitalization or death,” he said.
As of June 27, the CDC recommends that all people 6 months of age and older get updated 2024-2025 COVID vaccines when they become available in fall 2024. (Julian Stratenschulte/dpa (Julian Stratenschulte/picture alliance via Getty Images))
Varma agreed, noting that the updated vaccine will target the new, prevalent subvariants.
“It will be effective and should be taken or highly considered — especially for high-risk groups and those most at risk, including the elderly,” he told Fox News Digital.
For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews/health
“If COVID continues to spread, I would recommend the vaccine as one of our effective tools for adults to decrease severity and long COVID symptoms.”
He added, “For younger people, it is a matter of choice, but I continue to like the vaccine’s effectiveness at decreasing long COVID risk.”
Banned
Banned
Banned
Banned
Banned
Banned
Banned
Banned
Banned
Banned
Banned
Banned
Banned
Banned
Gestational limit
Gestational limit
Gestational limit
Gestational limit
Gestational limit
Gestational limit
Gestational limit
Ban blocked
Ban blocked
Ban blocked
Legal
Legal
Legal
Legal
Legal
Legal
Legal with new protections
Legal with new protections
Legal with new protections
Legal with new protections
Legal with new protections
Legal with new protections
Legal with new protections
Legal with new protections
Legal with new protections
Legal with new protections
Legal with new protections
Legal with new protections
Legal with new protections
Legal with new protections
Legal with new protections
Legal with new protections
Legal with new protections
Legal with new protections
Legal with new protections
Legal with new protections
Legal with new protections
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new medication for people with Alzheimer’s disease.
Eli Lilly’s Kisunla (donanemab) is a once-monthly injection intended for adults with early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease, according to a press release from the company.
Eligible patients include those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and those who have mild dementia with confirmed amyloid pathology.
EXPERIMENTAL ALZHEIMER’S DRUG GETS FDA ADVISORY PANEL’S THUMBS-UP: ‘PROGRESS IS HAPPENING’
This is the first medication to target amyloid plaques — the proteins that build up in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients, often impairing memory and cognitive function — with evidence to support stopping therapy when amyloid plaques are removed, the release stated.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new medication for people with Alzheimer’s disease. (iStock)
“Kisunla demonstrated very meaningful results for people with early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease, who urgently need effective treatment options,” said Anne White, executive vice president and president of Lilly Neuroscience, Eli Lilly and Company, in the release.
“We know these medicines have the greatest potential benefit when people are treated earlier in their disease, and we are working hard in partnership with others to improve detection and diagnosis.”
CAN WE REVERSE ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE? EXPERTS SUGGEST ‘NEW PARADIGM’ FOR COMBATING DEMENTIA
Fox News Digital reached out to the company for further comment.
The drug is designed to remove excessive buildup of amyloid plaques and slow cognitive decline, according to the company.
Eli Lilly’s Kisunla (donanemab) is a once-monthly injection intended for adults with early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease. (Eli Lilly & Company)
The approval follows an advisory panel’s recommendation of the drug at the FDA’s Peripheral and Central Nervous System Advisory Committee hearing last month.
At that hearing, Eli Lilly officials presented clinical trial results that showed the drug slowed cognitive and functional decline for people with mild cognitive impairment due to early stages of Alzheimer’s.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
In phase 3 trials published in May 2023, donanemab was shown to “significantly slow cognitive and functional decline in people with early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease,” according to a press release on Eli Lilly’s website.
In phase 3 trials published in May 2023, donanemab was shown to “significantly slow cognitive and functional decline in people with early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease,” according to a press release on Eli Lilly’s website. (iStock)
That study was published by the Journal of the American Medical Association.
The most serious potential side effect of Kisunla is amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA), which can lead to temporary brain swelling or bleeding.
Although this effect “usually resolves over time,” it can be life-threatening, the company said.
Some patients may also experience headaches or potentially serious allergic reactions during or shortly after the drug’s infusion.
A doctor points out evidence of Alzheimer’s disease on PET scans at the Center for Alzheimer Research and Treatment at Brigham And Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. (REUTERS/Brian Snyder/File Photo)
Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and a Fox News medical contributor, who was not involved in the drug trials, noted that donanemab is very similar to Leqembi, the current drug on the market that blocks amyloid formation.
For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews/health
Denonemab is “somewhat more effective,” Siegel noted, as it slows the progression of Alzheimer’s by about 35% versus 27% for Leqembi.
“It may be better at removing plaques,” he said.
Sign Up
Create a free account to access exclusive content, play games, solve puzzles, test your pop-culture knowledge and receive special offers.
Already have an account? Login
Forgot your password?
Get back to the Sign In
Use left and right arrow keys to navigate between menu items.
Use escape to exit the menu.
Should Biden step aside? Illinois Democrat congressman weighs in
Live Updates: Kansas City Royals vs. Tampa Bay Rays (Game One)
Clark, Reese headline WNBA All-Star Game roster
Iowa 80 Truckstop celebrates 60th year while hosting 45th annual Trucker’s Jamboree
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear on Biden’s upcoming meeting with Democratic governors: ‘We want to make sure he’s doing OK’
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
At least 2 dead as tornadoes hit Alabama, damage homes across Southeast
Dems 'coming to terms' that Biden 'not in control' following disastrous debate: former WH doc
Judge delays Trump’s sentencing in hush money case until September
Analysis | In private, Democrats panic. For the Biden campaign, everything is fine.
Do these potential Biden replacements have what it takes to beat Trump?
Rule of law protests greet new Dutch government at swearing-in
-
News1 week agoA Florida family is suing NASA after a piece of space debris crashed through their home
-
Movie Reviews1 week agoFilm Review: Everyday of the Dead (2023) by Yuyuma Naoki
-
Politics1 week agoBiden official says past social media posts don’t reflect ‘current views,’ vows to support admin ‘agenda’
-
World1 week agoNew Caledonia independence activists sent to France for detention
-
World1 week agoIsrael accepts bilateral meeting with EU, but with conditions
-
World1 week agoNetanyahu says war will continue even if ceasefire deal agreed with Hamas
-
News1 week agoArkansas police confirm 4th victim died in grocery store shooting
-
Politics1 week agoDeSantis signs bill allowing residents to kill bears, vetoes bill that fines slow left lane drivers