From Yahoo:
“Hundreds of Americans still
dying of COVID-19 each day ahead of the fall”
It has been more than two and
half years since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and despite a return to a
new form of normality for many people across the country, there are still
hundreds of Americans dying from the virus every day, a grim reality of the
pandemic's continued destruction.
The U.S. is currently averaging
just under 400 daily COVID-19 related deaths. Although the daily number of
fatalities is far lower than it was at the nation's peak, in January 2021,
3,400 Americans died of COVID-19 each day. "The seven-day average daily
deaths are still too high, about 375 per day — well above the around 200 deaths
a day we saw earlier this spring and, in my mind, far too high for a
vaccine-preventable disease," Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said during a White House press briefing with
the COVID-19 response team last week. Over the last seven days, the U.S. has
reported 2,500 deaths, and since the beginning of 2022, more than 221,000
Americans have died because of COVID-19.
The vast majority of Americans
who are currently dying of COVID-19 are over the age of 75. Although more than
92% of Americans of the age of 65 have been fully vaccinated, many are not up
to date on COVID-19 vaccinations, and are at a higher risk for severe disease
due to the virus. The persistently high death rate, alongside concerns over the
potential threat of a COVID-19 resurgence, has reignited the call for all
Americans to get vaccinated. It is particularly important for those older or
more vulnerable to get vaccinated and boosted with the new bivalent shots,
which target not only the original strain of the virus, but also the omicron
variant, experts said.
"We’re calling on all
Americans: Roll up your sleeve to get your COVID-19 vaccine shot," White
House COVID-19 Coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha said during a press briefing last
week. "If you’re 12 and above and previously vaccinated, it’s time to go
get an updated COVID-19 shot." As the vaccine rollout expands, Jha added
the administration plans to put "special efforts" into reaching older
Americans, people living in congregate care settings such as nursing homes, and
others who may be particularly vulnerable to COVID-19. Throughout the summer,
COVID-19 case and hospitalization numbers have oscillated widely across the
country. Numbers appeared to be on the decline, but in recent weeks, the number
of U.S. wastewater sites reporting increases in the presence of COVID-19 in
their samples appears to be back on the rise, after declines seen throughout
the latter part of the summer. In the U.S., about 50% of wastewater sites,
which are currently providing data to the CDC, have reported an increase in the
presence of the COVID-19 virus in their wastewater, over the last 15 days, up
from the 40% of sites reporting increases, last month, according to federal
data. Several sites across the Northeast, in particular, appear to be seeing
notable increases. In Boston, wastewater levels had plateaued, after a spring
and summer surge, but in recent weeks, data indicates that COVID-19 sampling
levels have increased again to their highest level in two months. However, it
is important to note that data is unavailable for many areas of the country,
particularly across much of the South and the West.
The U.S. is currently reporting
about 70,000 new cases a day. This comes as testing levels have plummeted in
recent months, with now under 350,000 tests reported each day — the lowest
total since the onset of the pandemic. However, hospital admission levels
continue to fall nationally. About 4,500 virus-positive Americans are entering
the hospital each day, down by about 8.4% in the last week. There are currently
about 33,000 virus-positive Americans receiving care in the U.S., down from
about 37,000 total patients receiving care, one week ago. Overall, the totals
remain significantly lower than at the nation's peak in January, when there
were more than 160,000 patients hospitalized with the virus.
^ 375 Americans dying of Covid a
day is still a lot of Americans dying every day. I got the Updated Covid
Booster and the Flu Shot last Saturday so hopefully I can help keep the Elderly
safe from Covid (my Sister works at a Nursing Home.) ^
https://www.yahoo.com/news/hundreds-americans-still-dying-covid-090403915.html
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