Health officials in the US and globally are encouraging calm amidst the rise in Covid cases and the emergence of new variants. Dr. Marion Koopmans, a virologist who advises the World Health Organization (WHO), stated that the world is now experiencing a “different phase” of the pandemic due to increased immunity from vaccination and previous infection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also emphasized that the US is in its strongest position yet against the virus due to this “wall of immunity.” Despite concerns about the new BA.2.86 variant, experts do not expect it to lead to a surge in hospitalizations.
However, some parts of the US have responded with panic. Rutgers University and Morris Brown College have reinstated the use of face masks, and hospitals in California and New York, as well as a Hollywood studio, have implemented additional precautions. To address these concerns, the CDC assures the public that the country is well-equipped to fight not just Covid, but also other viruses responsible for the majority of fall and winter hospitalizations.
Surveillance data shows that 97% of individuals over the age of 16 now possess some level of immunity from Covid, either through vaccination or previous infection. Hospitalizations in the US have risen by 21% in one week, reaching 12,600 cases in the week ending August 12. However, deaths have remained relatively stable. Globally, Covid cases remain low, averaging around 45,000 daily infections, which is one of the lowest levels since the beginning of the pandemic. While this figure may be an underestimate due to reduced testing, there is a promising decline in deaths.
To further enhance immunity levels, the CDC plans to recommend boosters for Americans starting in mid-September. The new vaccines being developed by Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax target the currently dominant XBB variants, but they are expected to provide some protection against other newer strains as well. The effectiveness of these boosters against the BA.2.86 variant is currently unknown. Nevertheless, an FDA official states that the updated shots have demonstrated a clear reduction in hospitalization and death. Plans are underway to offer boosters to all Americans, although questions remain regarding their necessity for those under 65.
The BA.2.86 variant is causing concern as it could potentially trigger a new wave of infections. However, experts clarify that there is currently no evidence suggesting the strain causes more severe illness or death than previous variants. It is believed to be highly transmissible but less deadly. Dr. Maria van Kerkhove, the WHO’s technical lead on Covid, acknowledges the low number of cases associated with the variant but advises governments to remain vigilant. She estimates that the reported cases represent only a fraction of the total number, citing over 20,000 sequences uploaded in the past week, compared to more than 200,000 when the Omicron variant was first detected.
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