A COVID-19 Uptick and a New Variant Emerges

If you're at high risk for getting COVID-19 and experiencing severe illness, health experts advise you might consider masking again in public or before attending a large gathering like a wedding.

Masking is likely the last thing Covid-weary Americans want to hear about. Still, researchers who track SARS-CoV-2 levels in untreated wastewater warn that levels have doubled and Covid hospitalizations in the US have risen for a fifth consecutive week. There were about 12,613 new admissions during the week ending August 12th. That's about a 22% increase from the prior week, but levels are still low.

 A Refresher on Who's at High Risk:

More than 81% of COVID-19 deaths occur in people over age 65. According to the CDC, the risk of death is 60 times higher in those ages 65–74 years, 140 times higher in those ages 75–84 years, and 340 times higher in those ages 85+ years. Other people at high risk include those with underlying health conditions such as diabetes, asthma, cancer, heart or lung disease, and other immune-compromising conditions. Also, if you work in a nursing home or are a caregiver to someone at high risk, you should consider masking. 

 The BA.2.86 Variant:

Researchers at the World Health Organization have labeled a subvariant of the coronavirus, BA.2.86, and are monitoring it after scientists sounded the alarm. The concern is that this new variant's many mutations might make it the most nimble yet at escaping the antibodies that protect people from getting sick, even if they've recently been infected or vaccinated. Only about a dozen cases have been reported worldwide. A risk assessment published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says BA.2.86 does not appear to make people sicker than earlier versions of the virus. Antiviral treatments should still work against it, and tests should still detect it. However, it's too soon to know whether the booster due next month and designed to target a different variant will be effective against this one.