It’s that time of year again—road trips, pool parties, afternoon thunderstorms, and a surge in COVID-19 cases. The virus has spread widely this summer; President Joe Biden tested positive in July, and the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that at least 40 athletes at the Paris Olympics have been infected with COVID or other respiratory illnesses.
“COVID-19 is still very much with us,” said Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO’s interim director of epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention, during a news conference on Tuesday. “Data from our sentinel-based surveillance system across 84 countries show that the percentage of positive tests for SARS-CoV-2 has been rising over the past few weeks.”
In the U.S., infections, emergency room visits, and deaths are all increasing. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), test positivity was expected to exceed 16% for the week ending July 27, higher than any other summer surge since the pandemic began in 2020.
Hospitalizations began to decline for the week ending July 27 after rising since May. Viral activity in wastewater remains “high,” the second-most severe rating. A new Omicron subvariant, KP.3.1.1, accounted for 28% of infections nationwide in the two weeks ending August 3. The updated COVID vaccine is not yet available.
So, how can you protect yourself and your loved ones as you continue your summer adventures or prepare to return to work or school? It comes down to the basics, says Dr. Donald Dumford, an infectious disease specialist at Cleveland Clinic Akron General.
“Take good care of yourself, ensure proper nutrition, sleep well, and stay hydrated,” Dumford told Fortune via email. “For those traveling, consider wearing a well-fitting mask in the airport and while flying. This is my personal strategy, considering the exposure to large groups of people, some of whom may be traveling despite being ill due to pre-planned trips.”
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
COVID-19 symptoms can appear as soon as two days or up to two weeks after exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and some people may be asymptomatic. According to the CDC, be on the lookout for the following symptoms:
- Congestion or runny nose
- Cough
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Fever or chills
- Headache
- Muscle or body aches
- New loss of taste or smell
- Nausea or vomiting
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Sore throat
These symptoms are similar to those of the flu, common cold, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Dumford advises getting tested if you feel unwell, as this is the only way to distinguish between these respiratory illnesses.
The CDC advises seeking emergency medical care if you experience the following COVID-19 symptoms:
- Inability to wake or stay awake
- Lips, skin, or nail beds appearing pale, blue, or gray
- New confusion
- Persistent chest pain or pressure
- Trouble breathing
I have COVID. Do I need to isolate?
As of March, the CDC no longer requires people who test positive for COVID to isolate for five days. Instead, the isolation period depends on how you feel. If your symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours and you haven’t had a fever without using fever-reducing medication, you can resume normal activities. These guidelines align with those for other respiratory viruses, according to Dumford.
“After that, plan to wear a well-fitting mask for the next five days. The rationale is that you are most contagious early in the infection when symptoms are most severe, so it’s best to stay home and isolate during that time,” Dumford says. “Afterward, there’s still potential for spreading the virus, so reduce that risk by wearing a well-fitting mask to catch any virus you exhale.”What COVID treatments are available?
Most people with mild symptoms can treat them with over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, according to the CDC. However, those at high risk of severe infection may be prescribed antiviral medications such as Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir with ritonavir) or Lagevrio (molnupiravir), which must be started within five to seven days of symptom onset.
Moderately or severely immunocompromised individuals may qualify for preventive monoclonal antibody treatment. The CDC advises against attempting to treat COVID with products not approved or authorized by the Food and Drug Administration for that purpose, as doing so could be dangerous or fatal. Discuss treatment options with your healthcare provider.
The CDC recommends that everyone aged six months and older receive an updated COVID vaccine for the 2024–2025 season this fall.
When will the new COVID vaccines be available?
Every fall, the flu vaccine is updated to match the circulating influenza strains. Similarly, as COVID-19 continues to evolve, the CDC recommends getting the updated 2024–2025 COVID vaccine in the coming months.
In a June news release, the CDC announced that new vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax would be available “later this year,” and it is safe to receive both seasonal flu and COVID vaccines at the same time. Last year, the 2023–2024 COVID vaccines were released in mid-September.
“Our top recommendation for protecting yourself and your loved ones from respiratory illness is to get vaccinated,” CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen said in the release. “Make a plan now for you and your family to get both updated flu and COVID vaccines this fall, ahead of the respiratory virus season.”
The CDC advises everyone aged six months and older to get the updated COVID vaccine, regardless of previous vaccination status. People aged 65 and older, and those with certain medical conditions such as autoimmune disorders, may be eligible for more than one dose this fall. Consult your doctor to determine if an adapted dosing schedule is appropriate for you.
If you’ve recently had COVID-19, the CDC suggests waiting three months after infection before getting vaccinated.
For more information on COVID-19:
- Will FLiRT COVID variants bring another summer surge? What to know about symptoms and potential for spread
- COVID can seriously damage your vision, even if you didn’t have symptoms, new study says. Experts say to watch for these signs
- How COVID exposed the inequality in our health care system: ‘Now is the time of reckoning’
- COVID can cause new health problems to appear years after infection, according to a study of more than 130,000 patients
