The BA.5 variant is taking over as the dominant variant here in the United States. While the number of daily cases, hospitalizations and deaths are not peaking up, it is estimated that we could be having 1 million cases a day since people are testing at home. They are not reporting to public health authorities versus those people who present themselves at clinics or hospitals.
I have to say the omens are not looking good for the fall and another possible variant that our current vaccines somehow might not provide protection from.
Everyone is enjoying the summer, being outside, going to movies and concerts.
Then there are those who had the virus before and are becoming second- and third-time losers. Reinfection can cause more issues in the short term and long term. More long COVID-19 cases are popping up.
We may be done with it, but COVID-19 is not done with us.
Eric Holdeman is a contributing writer for Emergency Management magazine and is the former director of the King County, Wash., Office of Emergency Management.
