US COVID-19 Update: Vaccine Guidelines, Symptoms, And Most Affected Cases In America

COVID symptoms may vary from person to person, and while some individuals report symptoms like hoarseness or "razor blade throat", which is seen very commonly with some variants,

US COVID-19 Update: The United States of America grapples with another wave of COVID-19 surge, since the beginning of the late summer, but this time it is driven by a new variant called the Stratus XFG.

Cases Of COVID-19 In The States

As per the latest data from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), during the week ending on August 9, about 8.9% of the 28,051 Americans tested were positive for COVID-19, while a 0.6% increase from the week prior. During the same period, 0.4% of cases resulted in death and 1% resulted in an emergency room visit, a 0.1% increase from the week prior for both categories.

Western and Southern states, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana, as well as Alaska, are some of the most affected states, which had higher percentages of positive COVID-19 tests by the week ending on August 9.

Most Common COVID-19 Variant

The data available on CDC outlines that the NB.1.8.1 variant remains the most common, accounting for 43% of cases and closely followed by LP.8.1 at 31% of cases and XFG at 14%. COVID-19 variant NB.1.8.1 saw a sharp rise to become the predominant variant. In April, the cases accounted for 0% of cases and 10% in the last week of May, up to 24% at the beginning of June and 43% by the end.

The Stratus XFG is a combination of variants COVID-19 variants F.7 and LP.8.1.2, which is responsible for 0% of U.S. cases through March, and a rapid increase by 11% in early June and 14% by late June.

COVID-19 Vaccine Guidelines

As stated on May 27 by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Health and Human Services Secretary, vaccines would no longer be included in the CDC's recommended immunization schedule for healthy children and pregnant women. Under the revised guidelines, the COVID-19 vaccines will now only be recommended to those over 65 and people with existing health problems.

Public health experts view these changes could increasing the rapid virus transmission. To which, in response, state health departments and national professional organizations, including the American Medical Association (AMA), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), have broken from Kennedy and HHS on these guidelines, agreeing to publish their guidelines.

What are the current COVID-19 symptoms?

COVID-19 symptoms may vary from person to person, and while some individuals report symptoms like hoarseness or "razor blade throat", which is seen very commonly with some variants, CDC and the World Health Organization (WHO) suggest that there is no evidence of certain symptoms being unique to different strains.

Fever or chills, cough. shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, sore throat, congestion or a runny nose, new loss of taste or smell, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, nausea or vomiting are some common COVID-19 symptoms outlined by the CDC.

For individuals experiencing symptoms such as trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, depending on skin tone, lips, nail beds, and skin may appear pale, gray, or blue, the CDC advises seeking medical care.

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