Hospitalization rates for COVID are beginning to grow, while specialists are warning that this winter is going to be difficult because of what many are calling a “twindemic”–an increase in COVID and influenza infections will strike at the same time. This winter is going to be terrible. According to the epidemiologist Thomas Duszynski, who was interviewed by FOX Weather, “The word “twindemic” refers to a situation in which both of these viruses are active in the community at the same time. The influenza virus resurfaces every year. Additionally, unfortunately, we are now witnessing COVID-19 infections on an annual basis as well. Because of the possibility that both of them would experience an increase in prevalence during the colder months, we are referring to this as a twindemic.”
According to data provided by the Department of Health and Human Services as of October 27th, there were 26,983 COVID patients and 2,639 ICU patients with the virus occupying inpatient hospital beds. This represents approximately 4% of the total capacity of the hospitals (HHS). The removal of mask requirements and restrictions on social contact has led health officials to anticipate a challenging flu season. In addition to this, industry professionals are looking to other countries for clues as to what might occur in this country. Family medicine physician Dr. Barbara Bawer, who works at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, shared with us the following: “It looks like we’re in for a rough flu season if the experience of countries in Australia and the rest of the southern hemisphere is any indication (they just went through winter while we were in the midst of summer). The current flu season in Australia has been the worst in the country’s history, which includes the few years leading up to the epidemic when there were no rules requiring people to wear masks or maintain a social distance.”
Experts are urging individuals to continue to take COVID seriously, even though health officials are preparing for a hard few months ahead. “COVID remains and will continue to exist therefore we always need to take precautions about it and follow expert guidance all the time,” says Mohammed Albouidani, MD, FACP Internal Medicine at Beverly Hospital and his own private practise. ” In addition, “Because COVID is a relatively new virus that is continually undergoing mutations, a COVID outbreak could yet take place this winter. Because not everyone who attends indoor get-togethers is fully immunized or current on their booster shots, there is a significant possibility that an outbreak will occur as a result.” Continue reading, and make sure you don’t miss any of these sure signs that you’ve already had COVID to protect not only your health but also the health of others.
Mark D. / Yelp
According to information that was obtained by the New York Times, the typical number of daily hospitalizations due to Covid has increased by a rate that is two-thirds higher than it was 14 days ago. According to the findings, “During the past week, Hawaii has recorded an average of 188 new cases every day of the disease. When compared to the average from two weeks earlier, the number of cases has climbed by 28 percent. The number of deaths has dropped by sixty percent.”
A statement to this effect was made by the Department of Health of the State of Hawaii in a news release that was issued not too long ago “incorporating information on reinfections into the data dashboard for Hawai’i COVID-19. Over time, the proportion of COVID-19 instances that involve persons who have a history of infection has increased, and as of right now, these cases account for around 10% of newly confirmed cases.” Dr. Sarah Kemble, who serves as the state epidemiologist, made the following statement in the release: “The statistics on reinfections support what we have been arguing, which is that the little immunity gained from a previous infection only lasts for a certain amount of time. Whether or not a person has had COVID-19 in the past, they should ensure that their vaccines and booster shots are up to date so that they have improved protection against severe sickness and the possibility of having to be hospitalized.”
According to data provided by The New York Times on COVID, the state of New Mexico has seen a significant rise in the number of instances. “In the most recent week in New Mexico, an average of 377 new cases were reported every day. When compared to the average from two weeks earlier, the number of cases has climbed by 55 percent. There has been an 85 percent rise in the number of deaths.”
Furthermore, the data reveals that “At least one in three residents [in New Mexico] had been infected with the virus since the beginning of the pandemic, with a total of 626,168 cases having been reported. There have been a total of 8,633 fatalities attributed to the coronavirus, with at least 1 fatality occurring for every 243 residents.” Residents of New Mexico are being urged by the New Mexico Department of Health to take safety measures, as stated on the department’s website “The COVID-19 virus has a high rate of transmission. The severity of the condition can vary greatly from patient to patient. Put all of the available resources to good use to protect yourself, your family, and your community from harm. Vaccination, testing, and treatment all have the potential to assist in keeping us all safe. And don’t forget to put on a mask and keep your distance from other people.”
The rise in hospitalization rates in New York caused by COVID, the flu, and RSV is the primary concern of the state’s health officials. According to an article in the New York Times, “It is difficult to gain an accurate picture of the amount of virus that is spreading because the majority of testing is now done at home. The city’s official Covid case counts have remained relatively unchanged over the past two months, with approximately 2,000 cases being recorded each day on average. However, there has been a recent trend toward an increase in hospitalizations. According to the data provided by the state, there were around 1,100 persons hospitalized with Covid-19 in New York City on October 24. This number is up from 750 in the middle of September.”
Additionally, the media outlet reports that “The increase in Covid hospitalizations is occurring at the same time as the early onset of flu season and a nationwide surge in RSV, also known as the respiratory syncytial virus. RSV is known to cause difficulty breathing in younger children as well as older adults. As a consequence, a triple threat is developing, which is already leading to an increase in the number of patients seen in emergency rooms. As a result, there is growing concern that hospital resources may once again be stretched thin this winter.”
According to statistics provided by the New York Times, the state currently has “An average of 2,071 cases per day were reported in Illinois in the last week.” When compared to the average from two weeks ago, the number of cases has climbed by 35%. There has been a 31 percent rise in the number of deaths. Since the commencement of the pandemic, a total of 3,811,411 instances of infection have been reported, which means that at least one in three residents has been infected. There have been a total of 39,947 deaths attributed to the coronavirus, with at least one fatality occurring for every 317 residents.
The Illinois Department of Public Health is advising individuals to take preventative action through the use of the following safety precautions.
–Ensure that your immunization against COVID-19 is up to date.
–Make ventilation upgrades in your own home.
–Wear a mask. Cover your mouth and nose with a mask if you are in crowded public places, whether they are indoors or outdoors. This is especially important when the community transmission levels are high.
–If you feel sick, you should rest at home.
— If necessary, have yourself tested for COVID-19.
– Speak with your healthcare practitioner about receiving therapy if you have COVID-19 and are at a high risk of becoming severely ill.
If you have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19, you are required to wear a mask for the next ten days and be tested.
– “Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, particularly after you have been in a public area or after you have coughed, sneezed, or blown your nose,”
The information gathered by the New York Times reveals that Oklahoma has seen the greatest increase in the number of COVID cases. “During the past week in Oklahoma, an average of 552 new cases were reported every day. The current average number of cases is 97 percent higher than it was two weeks ago. There has been a 76% drop in the number of deaths.” In addition, the findings of the statistics are, “Since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been a total of 1,205,519 cases of infection registered, which means that at least one in three residents have been infected. There have been a total of 14,943 deaths attributed to the coronavirus, with at least one fatality occurring for every 265 residents.”
According to a statement that can be found on the website of the Oklahoma State Department of Health, the status of the state is shifting closer and closer to that of “endemic.” “This pandemic is entering what is known as the endemic phase, and the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) is starting to prepare for it. To accomplish this, we will post the COVID-19 data on Thursdays once a week. The citizens of Oklahoma will have a clearer understanding of what is occurring around the state if data are published every week. The weekly report will include an average for the previous week’s worth of new instances based on the date that the specimen was collected or the date that symptoms first appeared during the previous week. The data that has been made public in the study is preliminary and are subject to modification if OSDH obtains further information.” And if you want to safeguard your life and the lives of others, you shouldn’t go to any of these 35 places, which have the highest risk of COVID transmission.
