COVID-19 is rising locally: A Q&A with Dr. Chow on practical steps – Public Health Insider

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It seems like most people know someone who has had COVID-19 recently. We dont tend to think of illness spreading in the summer when were making travel plans and gathering with friends and family. But given the increase, its an important time to think about how to do our activities more safely.

We sat down with Dr. Eric Chow, Chief of Communicable Disease for Public Health, to talk about COVID-19 heading into this summer and how to apply what we learned during the pandemic into our lives and daily activities, particularly during times of increased COVID-19 activity.

Since May, weve seen a higher levels of COVID-19 across our metrics including wastewater, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations. This is coming after several months of decreased COVID-19 activity. While COVID-19 may not be on peoples radar right now, it hasnt gone away.

I am concerned about the increased COVID-19 activity we are seeing as people, especially those who are older or have chronic conditions, can get very sick. We also know we are at risk for long COVID and steps we can take in our lives can continue to reduce the chance of these complications developing.

Its understandable that people are still burnt out on COVID-19 precautions. Im still concerned because COVID-19 is still here and whenever infections increase in the community, it is our vulnerable residents who carry a larger burden of the severe disease. Additionally, when someone gets COVID-19, theres a risk of getting long COVID.

Long COVID can be debilitating and life altering including symptoms such as extreme fatigue, difficulty thinking, pain, and dizziness. These symptoms can last for months or years, and can make it extremely difficult to go to work, school, or carry on with daily life. You can develop long COVID even if you have COVID-19 and have no symptoms or mild illness. It can affect people of all ages, even if you were previously in good health.

Anyone who has had COVID-19 is at risk for long COVID. The way you prevent getting long COVID is by not getting COVID-19 in the first place. Staying up to date with recommended COVID-19 vaccinations can also reduce your risk of long COVID.

Precautions are also worth it because we continue to have hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19, mainly for older adults, those that have underlying conditions, or who are not vaccinated. Deaths from COVID-19 remain higher than influenza, even at this point in the pandemic.

Given the higher levels of COVID-19 activity right now, its a good idea to get a COVID-19 vaccination if you havent had a shot since September 2023, so long as vaccines are available. Or, if you are 65 or older, get another dose if its been more than four months since your last one. If youve already done that, youre up to date!

In King County, just 28% of people have received the 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine and only 22% of people are up-to-date. Given the increase in COVID right now, its a good idea to make sure youre caught up on vaccination.

We will have a new formulation in the fall, and this will be recommended for anyone 6 months and older. Getting a dose now wont prevent you from getting the updated vaccination in the fall. COVID-19 is spreading now, so its better to get a shot now if youre not up-to-date.

We want people to be able to live their lives fully, so its important to think about how to do our daily activities more safely. The steps weve all heard about can really make a difference:

When you feel unwell, stay at home until your symptoms are getting better overall and you no longer have a fever for at least 24 hours. For the next five days, take precautions including masking and good hand hygiene. For those 50 and older or have underlying medical conditions that put increased risk for severe COVID-19, its important to talk with your doctor about treatment early during your illness.

As more people return to activities we enjoyed before the COVID-19 pandemic, we are seeing increases in other infections that can very effectively be prevented by vaccines, such as measles and whooping cough. In addition to checking on your COVID-19 vaccine status, its a good time to see if you and your family are up-to-date on all your vaccines. This is especially important as part of your travel planning.

Originally published on July 10, 2024.

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COVID-19 is rising locally: A Q&A with Dr. Chow on practical steps - Public Health Insider