Helpful tips as COVID activity rises in Kentucky
Published Tuesday, August 27, 2024 at 4:45 p.m.
Dr. Takaaki Kobayashi
Department of Infection Control and Prevention, UK Healthcare
Recent news headlines about the rise in local COVID-19 cases may bring back unpleasant memories.
Kentucky has seen an upswing in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks, based on careful monitoring of hospitalized patients. There's no need to panic, but a quick refresher may be in order.
Our understanding of COVID-19, the precautions we can take against it, and the effective treatment options available to those who contract the disease are only growing with time.
New vaccine coming soon
Like other viruses, the virus that causes COVID continues to evolve, with the predominant strain currently infecting many Americans being of the Omicron lineage. Updated vaccines developed to specifically target the new predominant variants are expected to begin distribution in late August or September.
Vaccination is recommended for everyone over 6 months of age. Protection against COVID-19 from previous vaccination or COVID-19 infection decreases over time.
Getting the vaccine doesn't guarantee you won't get sick, but it does greatly reduce your chances of being hospitalized or dying from the disease.
Consider getting a flu shot at the same time as you get your COVID-19 vaccine. With flu season just around the corner, older adults and pregnant women should also consider getting the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine.
Further recommendations
A summer surge in COVID-19 cases was expected, but its severity is still unknown. As school starts again, it's important for parents and students to remember proper hand-washing techniques and to stay home if they're sick. Additionally, wearing a mask can lower the risk of catching the virus by reducing the spread of the virus from an infected person and protecting you from inhaling infected particles from others.
These precautions will help protect against COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses that tend to spread in crowded environments like classrooms.
As of March, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that anyone with symptoms of the respiratory virus, such as cough, runny nose, sore throat, or headache, stay home and avoid contact with others. Once symptoms improve and you've been fever-free for at least 24 hours, you can resume normal activities.
It's important to remember that even if you feel better, you can still spread the virus that caused the illness, so take extra precautions over the next five days, including improving air circulation, practicing good hygiene, wearing a mask, and maintaining a safe distance from others.
Other frequently asked COVID questions
Is Paxlovid still effective against the new COVID strain?
Paxlovidone is also active against the new COVID variants. It is only recommended for those at high risk of severe illness and only within 5 days of symptom onset.
How severe is the illness caused by the new variant?
The current variant is more contagious than earlier strains but does not appear to cause more severe illness.
If I've already had COVID-19 and recovered, should I still get the COVID-19 vaccine?
Yes, getting the COVID-19 vaccine after recovery will give you additional protection.
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