President Joe Biden has contracted COVID-19 and is recovering at his home in Delaware with reportedly mild symptoms. He is one of many in the Washington, D.C., area experiencing a surge in coronavirus cases.
President Joe Biden I have COVID-19 He plans to recuperate at his home in Delaware, where his symptoms are reportedly mild. He is one of many in the Washington, D.C., area experiencing a surge in coronavirus cases.
Record heat has forced many people to move gatherings indoors in an attempt to enjoy some of the joys of summer, sharing the same circulated air and germs. Now, Maryland is seeing a rise in COVID-19 cases.
new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data Samples taken from sewage have shown that Maryland is one of seven states where coronavirus cases have reached “very high levels,” while Virginia has reached “high levels.”
The CDC has relied on these types of tests to get a sense of the prevalence of infection in a given area, as certain infectious diseases, like COVID-19, can be shed from people’s bodies when they use the toilet, shower or do laundry.
Before the wastewater is treated, samples will be taken to a laboratory to get a better understanding of the levels of the virus in the area.
“We’ve seen a significant increase in outpatient visits to our emergency department over the last week or two,” said Sean O’Donnell with the Montgomery County Health and Human Services Agency. “We haven’t seen a significant increase in hospitalizations so far, but now we’re starting to see a gradual increase.”
According to the CDC, 11% of COVID-19 tests nationwide are now positive, up just under 2% from a week ago.
So it may be time to take some precautions.
“If you’re in a crowded place, if you’re traveling on a plane or a bus or anything like that, it might be a good idea to wear a mask,” O’Donnell said, “especially if you’re putting yourself at higher risk or if you’re visiting people who are at higher risk.”
To vaccinate or to wait, that is the question
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich encouraged anyone who hasn’t been vaccinated to get the shot along with their other annual vaccinations.
“If you’re getting the flu vaccine, you should absolutely get the COVID vaccine,” Elrich said.
Virginia and Maryland have seen an increase in case numbers over the past few weeks (the most recent data available was on July 6), but they are still tiny compared to levels seen over the winter.
The CDC said last month that it would push for new vaccines in the coming months due to the emergence of new variants that are more contagious but less deadly.
With improved versions of COVID-19 vaccines expected to be released this fall, some parents are wondering whether their children should get the COVID-19 shot now along with other school vaccinations, or whether they should wait for the new version.
“Whether or not you wait for the latest is a personal decision,” O’Donnell said.
The health department is recommending that everyone aged 6 and over get vaccinated.
If your child has already been vaccinated, you may decide to wait until the updated vaccine is available in the fall.
“However, if you have children who haven’t been vaccinated, we encourage you to get at least one dose now,” O’Donnell said. “COVID-19 is still spreading.”
O’Donnell said the first dose will provide some immunity, with a new booster dose likely to be available later this year.
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