COVID-19 cases jump in New York, free tests are hard to find

health

To Mark Laranilla

August 8, 2023 | 2:37 PM

In May, the end of the state of emergency due to the new coronavirus infection was officially declared, but the coronavirus remains a serious threat, according to growing concerns in the medical community.

up to date Data from the New York State Department of HealthCovid-19 cases surged 55% from the previous week, with an average of 824 cases reported statewide each day, according to data released on August 2.

The number of hospitalizations due to the disease has also increased by 22% compared to the previous week, with more than 100 hospitalizations per day.

Meanwhile, a new variant called EG.5 or Eris has emerged as the dominant strain, causing about 17% of novel coronavirus infections nationwide. according to the new alert From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

As new variants continue to emerge, medical experts fear they are ill-prepared for the worst-case scenario in particular.

“The scariest thing is if the virus were more lethal,” Anna Burstein, an assistant professor in the Department of Population Health at New York University School of Medicine, told the Post.

“If the virus were as contagious as the new coronavirus and as deadly as the MERS coronavirus, that would be really scary,” Burstein added. middle east respiratory syndromeis a disease with a fatality rate of over 30%.

Some Blame ‘Barbie’ As Cases Rise

The increase in the number of people infected with COVID-19 is not limited to New York. The CDC recorded 8,000 hospitalizations for COVID-19 in the United States in the week ending July 22, up 12% from the previous week.

The CDC data also show that the number of cases has spiked each winter since the pandemic began in 2020 (such as when the Omicron variant caused an infection spike in the winter of 2021-22), and since then , also show a continued small increase in the middle of the year. summer.

“The scariest thing for me is not knowing where it is.” [omicron] Where did the variants come from?” Burstein said, adding that even more dangerous variants could emerge without warning.

“That event could happen at any time,” she added. “The thought of that sends chills down my spine.”

This summer’s increase may be partly due to the popularity of two movies, “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer,” which filled theaters across the country.

“Movie theaters and large parties with little air circulation” can develop into super-spreader events, Burstein said, noting that “probably 80% of all COVID-19 cases” are such. He added that it originated from an event.

Lack of testing frustrates medical professionals

COVID-19 testing is not as easy as it used to be, even as cases rise and people flock for summer trips, popular movies and other events.

The Biden administration stopped mailing out free test kits in June, but the kits stockpiled by the public over the past year or two have expired or will expire soon.

Without testing, “it would be difficult for people to know if what they are infected with is COVID-19,” Burstein said.

With the availability of the antiviral drug Paxlovid, “there is really no supply problem” for treating COVID-19, Burstein added. “Testing is an important way to get the most out of these drugs.”

He also referred to the CDC’s estimate that COVID-19 accounts for 1% of deaths in the United States, even though the number of deaths from COVID-19 has declined. one still has some impact,” Burstein said.

Additionally, many health insurance plans stopped paying for over-the-counter test kits once the state of emergency was lifted and mandatory testing ended.

Health experts say the lack of available test kits could lead to more hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19.

Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, said, “There will continue to be people hospitalized with COVID-19 … if testing is free and widely available. It should have been prevented,” he said. told the Washington Post.

New Booster Shots available this fall

Fortunately, this summer’s rise in cases was not caused by a virulent coronavirus.

“The good news is that we don’t see anything to suggest that the virus is becoming more contagious or deadly,” said New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. told PIX11 News.

“It’s really just a weakened immune system,” Vasan added, adding that vaccines and boosters given months or even years ago have become ineffective over time. mentioned.

Vasan and other public health experts are encouraging people to get the latest boosters as they become available.

“A new booster will be online in September or early October, according to the CDC, which will be updated with the current variants and will provide protection for the winter-fall season.” said Vasan. .

“This is part of living with COVID-19,” Vasan added. “These changes are to be expected.”

“As the number of COVID-19 cases in the state rises again, all New Yorkers should forget that COVID-19 is a treatable disease,” said New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald. I don’t want you to,” he said. said in a news release.

“The COVID-19 test is easy to use and highly accurate. If you test positive, talk to your health care provider about treatment, so you can avoid hospitalization and death,” McDonald said. Stated.