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New Delhi: A fresh wave of COVID-19 infections in the United States has become a cause of concern. Even as the rate of severe infection may be relatively low, experts believe that there are more infections than the current surveillance systems can capture, CNN reported.
For weeks now, the virus levels have been on the rise in the US and according to the federal data, the current increase has stayed far below earlier peaks and notable surges.
“But judging by word of mouth among family, friends, and coworkers, it can seem like everyone knows someone who’s sick with COVID-19 right now,” the report noted. “There is more transmission out there than what the surveillance data indicates,” Janet Hamilton, executive director of the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists told CNN. “We should be paying attention to it because we are starting to see an increase.”
According to data by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, weekly hospital admissions have nearly doubled over the past month, including a 19 per cent bump in the most recent week.
However, the CNN report has also mentioned that hospitals have shifted their testing practices due to changing federal requirements and recommendations with local risk assessments, making it difficult to compare data from different points in time.
High-risk individuals
Hospitals are now more focused on those who are symptomatic or have been around other high-risk patients.
The rising number of Covid-19 cases has also caused many schools, hospitals, and even neighbourhoods to require people to start wearing masks again. The authorities are cautioning people to get vaccinated as well.
The risk, doctors say, is especially high for the unvaccinated individuals who have not been infected before and those who are older or have underlying health conditions.
New variants under scanner
According to the health officials – two new variants – Omicron’s mutated EG.6 or Eris, and BA.2.86 or Pirola are the two dominant ones being watched.
The World Health Organization has designated EG.5 or Eris as a “variant of interest” as cases rise globally.
Signs and symptoms
Experts say the main symptoms of these two subvariants are similar to previous Omicron symptoms, which include:
Sore throat
If you have a sore throat and are experiencing pain or a feeling of thickness in your throat, especially when you swallow or talk, get yourself checked.
Many people also report redness or inflammation in the back of their throat.
Runny or blocked nose
COVID-19 infection can also cause inflammation of the membranes lining the nose and sinuses, which is an immune response. The inflamed cells cause the nose to make clear mucus to trap the virus and flush it out of the body, leading to a runny nose.
It is an extremely common symptom among all the variants, including Omicron and Delta.
Cough
Most COVID-19 patients suffer from dry cough, without phlegm.
Other symptoms
According to doctors, other signs of the EG.5 variant include headache, hoarse voice, muscle aches, and an altered sense of smell. Breathlessness and fever are no longer the main symptoms, according to reports.
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