COVID-19 Variants Surge as Hospitalizations Rise Nationwide

Covid-19 continues to be the primary cause of new respiratory virus hospitalizations and deaths in the United States, with about 15,000 hospitalizations and 1,000 deaths occurring weekly. Wastewater sampling indicates rising viral activity, particularly in the Midwest, as colder weather and holiday travel contribute to an expected increase in infections. While the HV.1 variant remains predominant, the BA.2.86 variant has tripled in prevalence and is now classified as a variant of interest by the World Health Organization. However, experts are not overly concerned about the current variants. Only 16% of U.S. adults have received the updated Covid vaccine, which has shown effectiveness against circulating variants. It is crucial for eligible individuals to get vaccinated to mitigate the severe consequences of Covid-19.