Health experts have expressed concern that the colder months might lead to a possible new wave of coronavirus infections, as the colder and drier conditions of fall and winter strongly affect the transmission of flu-like illnesses.
With the colder winds blowing in, the U.S. is seeing an alarming increase in the number of coronavirus cases – the country’s seven-day average of new daily cases was more than 51,000 Tuesday (October 13). The figure has remained below the 50,000 in the last two months.
“We went down to the lowest point lately in early September, around 30,000-35,000 new cases a day. Now we’re back up to (about) 50,000 new cases a day. And it’s going to continue to rise,” Dr. Peter Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, said Tuesday.
“This is the fall/winter surge that everyone was worried about. And now it’s happening,” he added. “And it’s happening especially in the northern Midwest, and the Northern states are getting hit very hard — Wisconsin, Montana, the Dakotas. But it’s going to be nationally soon enough.”
Americans have been continually urged to wear masks, social distance, and avoid large gatherings. However, in an audio call with U.S. governors, Center for Disease Control and Prevention Director, Dr. Robert Redfield, shared what could be the reason behind the growing spread of the infection.
“In the public square, we’re seeing a higher degree of vigilance and mitigation steps in many jurisdictions,” Dr. Redfield told the governors, per CNN. “But what we’re seeing as the increasing threat right now is actually acquisition of infection through small household gatherings. Particularly with Thanksgiving coming up, we think it’s really important to stress the vigilance of these continued mitigation steps in the household setting.”
John Hopkins’ data shows that, as of Tuesday (October 13), Covid-19 cases in 36 states have risen by more than 10% in the past week compared to the week prior.
The surge in new COVID-19 cases is worrying in that it could lead to increased hospitalization – and even more deaths in the coming months.
“Hospitals could again become overwhelmed,” emergency medicine physician Dr. Leana Wen explained. “And then we’re not just talking about patients with coronavirus who might be in trouble. It’s also about other patients who might be coming in for heart attacks and strokes and car accidents who may find a situation that’s really untenable.”
More than 7.8 million cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the U.S. – and the illness has become fatal for more than 200,000 people. A projection by the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation estimates that more than 135,000 people in the US could die within the next three months.
Dr. Hotez warns that the coming months might be devastating if the spread of coronavirus isn’t curbed.
“This winter — this November, December, January, February — could be the worst time in our epidemic,” Dr. Hotez said. “Get ready to hunker down.”
Please take extra care and keep safe in the coming months.
