Roundup: Increasing COVID-19 cases raise anxiety at start of new school year in U.S.

COVID-19 cases in the United States are increasing as the new school year begins, causing concerns about the reimplementation of mask mandates in schools. The latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows a significant rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations since summer. According to CDC data, there was an 18.8 percent increase in new COVID-19 hospitalizations for the week ending August 19 compared to the previous week. Additionally, COVID-19 deaths saw a 17.6 percent increase in the most recent week. Currently, the country has over 6.27 million COVID-19 hospitalizations and nearly 1.14 million COVID-19 deaths.

Data from the L.A. County Department of Public Health reveals that Los Angeles County has experienced a doubling of COVID-19 cases in the past month, with nursing homes being particularly affected. Health officials and experts are concerned about a new variant called the EG.5 variant, which is highly mutated. This variant is estimated to be the dominant strain in the country, accounting for the largest share of new COVID-19 cases among other variants. The CDC reports that the EG.5 variant made up 21.5 percent of new cases from August 20 to September 2.

Due to surges of COVID-19 cases in Texas and Kentucky, three school districts have temporarily suspended in-person classes. In the current post-emergency phase of the pandemic, schools no longer have easily accessible comprehensive surveillance data. Consequently, decisions on COVID-19 mitigation measures are predominantly left to the discretion of school district leaders, in collaboration with local health authorities and community input.

Anticipated updates to COVID-19 vaccines are expected to be available in the United States by the end of September. The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is scheduled to hold a meeting on September 12 to discuss COVID-19 vaccines. As respiratory viruses such as COVID-19, flu, and RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) pose a potential threat during the winter and fall seasons, experts recommend that individuals, especially vulnerable groups, get vaccinated against all three viruses simultaneously for better protection.