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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has warned of a COVID-19 surge across the U.S. this summer. As of June 25, 2024, the agency believes virus infections are growing in 44 states and territories. Despite the surge, hospitalizations and deaths are remaining low.
While the pandemic was officially declared over in May 2023, the continued monitoring of data, including from wastewater, indicates COVID-19 infections are on the rise. COVID vaccine companies have been advised to focus on KP.2 variant for fall shots, as per the FDA announcement.
The KP.2 and KP.3 strains, subvariants of the highly contagious JN.1 variant, currently account for over half of all new cases. Evidence suggests that COVID-19 has seasonal patterns, but the exact reason for an increase during warmer weather remains unclear. Some scientists believe the virus evolves in line with the seasons or other environmental factors; others maintain that it spreads when people are in close proximity and humidity is low.
The CDC is recommending that all people aged six months and older get the updated 2024-2025 COVID vaccines when available this fall. The updated vaccines should prove effective against the new, prevalent subvariants of the virus. Despite the ongoing COVID-19 situation, the health system is keeping a close eye on the situation and is taking all necessary precautions to ensure public health safety.
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