1 year ago
27
Doctors say overall COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are on the rise again. 2023 has arguably been our calmest year yet when it comes to COVID-19. The spring and early summer months saw lower levels of community transmission and hospitalization. However, things have started to change in recent weeks with the emergence of the EG.5 variant."An interesting observation that because of the heat that we've seen around the country this year, we're having more people gather indoors into air-conditioned spaces rather than being in as many outdoor activities," said Dr. Don Williamson, the president of the Alabama Hospital Association.Williamson says this has resulted in some summertime transmission we otherwise wouldn't be seeing quite this early. COVID-19 hospitalizations statewide are inching up, going from about 60 a month ago to roughly 200 now. "Now that's a far cry from where we've obviously been before," Williamson pointed out.For some people, it's been close to a year since they received their last COVID-19 booster shot. With community spread rising, when should we think about getting that next shot? Doctors say for the average, healthy person, consider waiting for the new booster expected out soon. "And the reason I say that is that new vaccine is supposed to be formulated with a strain that's more closely related to what's circulating out there now," Dr. Wesley Willeford with the Jefferson County Department of Health said. "And that even includes this new EG.5." Willeford says the new booster should offer more protection than the one already on the market would. The new COVID-19 booster shot should hopefully be available within the next few weeks. "One thing we've seen with COVID-19 is it's almost guaranteed that it's going to keep changing overtime," Willeford added. "And that's why we have to update these boosters." Physicians say the new booster shot should help guarantee maximum protection in the fall and winter months when people are around others more.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. —
Doctors say overall COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are on the rise again.
2023 has arguably been our calmest year yet when it comes to COVID-19. The spring and early summer months saw lower levels of community transmission and hospitalization. However, things have started to change in recent weeks with the emergence of the EG.5 variant.
"An interesting observation that because of the heat that we've seen around the country this year, we're having more people gather indoors into air-conditioned spaces rather than being in as many outdoor activities," said Dr. Don Williamson, the president of the Alabama Hospital Association.
Williamson says this has resulted in some summertime transmission we otherwise wouldn't be seeing quite this early. COVID-19 hospitalizations statewide are inching up, going from about 60 a month ago to roughly 200 now.
"Now that's a far cry from where we've obviously been before," Williamson pointed out.
For some people, it's been close to a year since they received their last COVID-19 booster shot. With community spread rising, when should we think about getting that next shot? Doctors say for the average, healthy person, consider waiting for the new booster expected out soon.
"And the reason I say that is that new vaccine is supposed to be formulated with a strain that's more closely related to what's circulating out there now," Dr. Wesley Willeford with the Jefferson County Department of Health said. "And that even includes this new EG.5."
Willeford says the new booster should offer more protection than the one already on the market would. The new COVID-19 booster shot should hopefully be available within the next few weeks.
"One thing we've seen with COVID-19 is it's almost guaranteed that it's going to keep changing overtime," Willeford added. "And that's why we have to update these boosters."
Physicians say the new booster shot should help guarantee maximum protection in the fall and winter months when people are around others more.
English (US)