Another Surge in COVID-19 Cases
- fionacsweet
- Oct 18, 2020
- 2 min read
The U.S. tops 60,000 daily coronavirus infections for the first time since early August. More than 36,000 people are hospitalized. 44 states and Washington, D.C. have higher numbers than in mid-September. Instead of the coastal cities the virus was initially spreading in, now the virus is prevalent in rural communities in the heartland.
Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Montana, and Colorado have all set new highs. Many hospitals in these states are running low on healthcare supplies. According to the Washington Post, during the past week, at least 20 states have set record seven-day averages for infections, and a dozen have hit record hospitalization rates. Research has shown that "red" counties with the most intense Republican leanings have had the largest increase in cases, while "blue" counties that lean Democratic have tended to be flat. (graph on cover photo) Harvard professors suspect that these Republican leaning communities are not adhering to public health guidance due to Trump's example.
On the somewhat bright side, the increase in cases and hospitalizations have not been followed by a high death rate. Instead, widespread use of steroids and other treatments have lowered mortality rates among the severely ill.
Of course, this does not mean that it is safe to contract the virus. In fact, epidemiologists have cautioned that transmission is likely to be facilitated by colder weather. This is due to the fact that people spend more time indoors when it is cold out, and this indoor environment holds the perfect setting for the spread of this respiratory virus.
On October 3rd, the national case count passed 50,000 for the first time since the summer. By October 15th, the daily total of more than 63,500 cases represented the highest number since July 31st, our peak of virus cases.
The resounding message is clear: We are going to need restrictions again AND we need to prepare for a challenging, harsh winter.
This is going to be especially difficult as we are nearing the holiday season, and the CDC just released advice on how to behave during this time, saying people at a higher risk (i.e. older people and the immunocompromised) "should not attend in-person holiday celebrations." Dr. Anthony Fauci has even come out and said that his children will not be spending Thanksgiving with him this year due to his increased risk for the virus. For many, the holiday season would not be complete with their grandparents. This year, things are going to be drastically different, and I am worried that many will be unable to comply with this new advice. I know that it will be hard for my family.
On that bitter note, happy almost holiday season! (Oh, and don't forget to VOTE!)
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