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COVID-19 in the Summer Months: The Rise of the coronavirus variants
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As COVID-19 continues to evolve, understanding its seasonal patterns is crucial for effective healthcare planning, especially in rural Fast Pace Health communities. Historically, COVID-19 has shown peaks during the summer months, making it essential to stay informed and prepared. Coronavirus variants account for about 77% of infections, COVID-19 cases are ticking upward this summer, according to CDC data.
Seasonal Trends of COVID-19
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) over the past four years reveals that while COVID-19 typically peaks in the winter, there are notable spikes in the summer. The most recent data from July and August 2023 confirmed this trend, with significant increases in positive cases.
The CDC’s recent data highlights the emergence of the KP.3 COVID-19 variant as the most prevalent strain. From June 23 to July 6, the CDC’s Nowcast data tracker showed that the KP.3 variant accounted for 36.9% of positive cases, surpassing the KP.2 variant, which made up 24.4%. The CDC anticipates that the KP.3 variant will continue to rise, making vigilance and prevention more critical than ever. Another variant, LB.1, is newer but is already the third-most popular strain as it accounts for 17.5% of cases. Source: USA Today.
These variants are being referred to as the “FLiRT” variants. The “FLiRT” variants are a group of strains that all start with the letters “KP” or “JN,” and they have been steadily rising in dominance. Experts say these subvariants are more contagious than some previous variants.
“Our Fast Pace Health communities need to be especially vigilant as we see an increase in COVID-19 cases during the upcoming summer months. Fast Pace Health is committed to providing helpful comprehensive and accessible care, including full office examinations, rapid testing and treatment, to ensure we serve and protect our communities effectively. By staying informed and proactive, we can navigate these challenging times together.”
– Dr. Sarika Aggarwal, Chief Medical Officer, Fast Pace Health
High-Risk Groups: Extra Caution Needed
Certain populations are at higher risk during this summer surge, including:
– Individuals aged 65 and older
– Those patients who are moderate to severely immunocompromised
– Residents of long-term care facilities
– Unvaccinated individuals of any age
– Pregnant women, especially in late pregnancy
Fast Pace Health: Your Partner in COVID-19 Testing and Care
Fast Pace Health is dedicated to preventing the spread of COVID-19 within communities and adheres to the latest CDC recommendations. We offer comprehensive office examination alongside any COVID-19 testing. Our testing options now include Rapid COVID-19 tests, which provide quick results to determine your COVID-19 status. In addition to rapid tests, we also offer PCR lab and antibody tests.
If you have been exposed to COVID-19 or are experiencing symptoms, our a comprehensive examination and rapid test (if clinically indicated) can help you take the necessary steps to protect yourself and others.
Convenient Access to Care
Fast Pace Health locations offer easy and swift access to care. Find a location near you today to stay proactive about your health.
Stay Informed, Stay Safe
Understanding the seasonal dynamics of COVID-19 and the emergence of new variants like KP.3 helps us all stay one step ahead. By staying informed and getting tested when needed, we can help collectively reduce the spread and impact of COVID-19 in our communities.
For more detailed information, you can refer to the CDC’s updates and data:
– USA Today Article on KP.3 Variant
– CDC Insights on COVID-19 Surges
(https://www.cdc.gov/ncird/whats-new/covid-19-can-surge-throughout-the-year.html)
(https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#variant-proportions)
– LA Times Article on “FLiRT” variants
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