As the United States approaches 30 million confirmed COVID-19 cases, the arrival of spring and warmer weather in various regions have sparked fears of a fourth wave of infections. Health experts are increasingly worried despite the accelerated nationwide vaccine rollout.
In several states, new infections are on the rise, driven by the spread of COVID-19 variants and what experts describe as 'pandemic fatigue.' According to a report by The Washington Post, these factors are contributing to the uptick in cases.
While more states are easing COVID-19 restrictions, recent events have highlighted the challenges of managing public health. Over the weekend, Florida declared a state of emergency and imposed a curfew after large crowds of spring breakers gathered in Miami, raising concerns about potential surges.
The White House is urging states to carefully consider the relaxation of COVID-19 guidelines. Although the overall rates of new infections and hospitalizations are declining, the number of individuals currently sick remains high.
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), emphasized the threat posed by new variants. She warned that lifting restrictions too quickly could lead to another avoidable surge, similar to what is being observed in Europe. Dr. Walensky stressed the importance of continuing aggressive vaccination efforts to mitigate the risk.
In positive news, AstraZeneca has announced a new COVID-19 vaccine with a reported 79% effectiveness rate against the virus. The study also found no serious side effects, including the previously concerning risk of blood clots. AstraZeneca plans to file for approval with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the coming weeks.
Despite the availability of vaccines, vaccination rates in the U.S. indicate that only about 25% of the population has received at least one dose, and approximately 12.5% are fully vaccinated, according to CDC data.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
