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Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Summer Covid cases are rising across the U.S. — Is it time for a vaccine?
As Covid cases begin to rise this summer, many may be wondering: What are my risks, and is it time to get another vaccine? As of July 15, Covid cases were growing or likely growing in 27 states including Texas, Illinois, Kentucky, Virginia and Ohio, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rates of positive Covid tests have also been increasing in recent weeks, the CDC says, specifically in the southern region of the country. N.B.1.8.1 is the current dominant variant in the United States, accounting for 43% of all new Covid cases, according to the CDC. It's an offshoot of the XVD.1.5.1 strain, a descendant of the omicron variant. N.B.1.8.1 was responsible for a surge in hospitalizations in China earlier this year. It's been nicknamed 'razor blade throat,' as there have been anecdotal reports of some people getting painful sore throats, said Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Schaffner noted, however, that sore throats have been a common symptom of Covid since it first began spreading. 'I doubt the clinical spectrum of Covid has changed substantially,' Schaffner said. Do I need a Covid booster? When will the new vaccines be available? The uptick in cases comes as many Americans have likely gone a year or longer without a Covid shot. In May, the Food and Drug Administration asked drugmakers to update their Covid vaccines to target the LP.8.1 strain, a descendent of JN.1, which began spreading widely in 2023 and is another offshoot of omicron. LP.8.1 currently accounts for 31% of all new cases, per the CDC. The new shots won't be available until the fall, and are expected to be approved only for adults 65 and up and kids and adults with at least one medical condition that puts them at risk of severe illness. Healthy kids and adults who want a shot may have to find an older version or pay out of pocket. A single dose can cost as much as $140. Experts say, however, that population immunity — whether from vaccination, prior infection or both — may shield much of the public for now. 'While we don't have a lot of high level of immunity in the population right now, because it's been so long, we may have enough low level immunity to just make it a little bit harder for that virus to transmit easily from person to person,' said Andy Pekosz, an infectious disease researcher at Johns Hopkins University. Indeed, weekly hospitalization rates have remained low, suggesting that the new variant may not be leading to severe illness. The number of cases are still drastically lower than those this time last year, when the test positivity rate peaked in August at 17.9%. The 2025 season has yet to scrape 5%. Pekosz said it isn't unusual for cases to rise during the summer time, when people are likely to crowd indoors to escape the heat. However, he believes that if there is a summer surge of cases, it will be a small one. 'The variants have been around for a while and haven't caused any major surges up until date,' Pekosz said. 'So again, I'm hopeful that if we see a surge, it'll be a low level surge compared to previous years.' Dr. Ofer Levy, director of the precision vaccines program at Boston Children's Hospital, who has advised the FDA, said people who are at high risk of severe illness still may want to consider getting a Covid shot, if they can find one. High risk groups include: Older adults People with weakened immune systems Pregnant women Those with underlying health conditions, such as asthma and heart disease Getting a shot is especially important, Levy said, for those who haven't had one in over a year and whose immunity has likely waned. 'If you're in a high risk group and you're in a state where cases are rising, you may want to just get the first available appointment and get a shot to protect yourself,' he said. People at high risk can then consider getting an additional Covid shot when the updated vaccines are distributed in the fall, he said. Covid has two waves a year Schaffner, of Vanderbilt, said people in the high risk groups may also want to consider wearing a mask during indoor activities, such as the movies. Healthy adults and children may be able to wait longer before getting another shot, Levy added. 'If you're in a lower risk group, that's where things get fuzzy,' he said. 'I mean if you want a vaccine and your health care provider concurs and you can get it.' Dr. Michael Phillips, an infectious disease doctor at NYU Langone, said that he sees mostly immunocompromised and older adults test positive for the virus. For those who haven't gotten a Covid shot in years, Phillips said he doesn't think they should worry just yet. 'If you're younger, otherwise healthy, I think you're OK,' Phillips said. 'If you have underlying pulmonary disease, you know, if you're an older age group, now that's a time when you should be really talking to a doctor and saying, 'Gosh, should I be getting a booster for Covid?'' He said that the amount of positive Covid tests NYU Langone has seen has decreased 40% since February. Fatima Amaeka, a senior analyst at the Center for Outbreak Response Innovation at Johns Hopkins, said she expects the current wave to peak around September. Schaffner said to expect another wave in the late fall and winter. '[Covid] has two increases each year,' he said. 'Everyone is familiar with the winter increase that goes along with flu and RSV.' This article was originally published on Solve the daily Crossword
NBC News
9 hours ago
- Health
- NBC News
Summer Covid cases are rising across the U.S. — Is it time for a vaccine?
As Covid cases begin to rise this summer, many may be wondering: What are my risks, and is it time to get another vaccine? As of July 15, Covid cases were growing or likely growing in 27 states including Texas, Illinois, Kentucky, Virginia and Ohio, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rates of positive Covid tests have also been increasing in recent weeks, the CDC says, specifically in the southern region of the country. N.B.1.8.1 is the current dominant variant in the United States, accounting for 43% of all new Covid cases, according to the CDC. It's an offshoot of the XVD.1.5.1 strain, a descendant of the omicron variant. N.B.1.8.1 was responsible for a surge in hospitalizations in China earlier this year. It's been nicknamed 'razor blade throat,' as there have been anecdotal reports of some people getting painful sore throats, said Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Schaffner noted, however, that sore throats have been a common symptom of Covid since it first began spreading. 'I doubt the clinical spectrum of Covid has changed substantially,' Schaffner said. Do I need a Covid booster? When will the new vaccines be available? The uptick in cases comes as many Americans have likely gone a year or longer without a Covid shot. In May, the Food and Drug Administration asked drugmakers to update their Covid vaccines to target the LP.8.1 strain, a descendent of JN.1, which began spreading widely in 2023 and is another offshoot of omicron. LP.8.1 currently accounts for 31% of all new cases, per the CDC. The new shots won't be available until the fall, and are expected to be approved only for adults 65 and up and kids and adults with at least one medical condition that puts them at risk of severe illness. Healthy kids and adults who want a shot may have to find an older version or pay out of pocket. A single dose can cost as much as $140. Experts say, however, that population immunity — whether from vaccination, prior infection or both — may shield much of the public for now. 'While we don't have a lot of high level of immunity in the population right now, because it's been so long, we may have enough low level immunity to just make it a little bit harder for that virus to transmit easily from person to person,' said Andy Pekosz, an infectious disease researcher at Johns Hopkins University. Indeed, weekly hospitalization rates have remained low, suggesting that the new variant may not be leading to severe illness. The number of cases are still drastically lower than those this time last year, when the test positivity rate peaked in August at 17.9%. The 2025 season has yet to scrape 5%. Pekosz said it isn't unusual for cases to rise during the summer time, when people are likely to crowd indoors to escape the heat. However, he believes that if there is a summer surge of cases, it will be a small one. 'The variants have been around for a while and haven't caused any major surges up until date,' Pekosz said. 'So again, I'm hopeful that if we see a surge, it'll be a low level surge compared to previous years.' Dr. Ofer Levy, director of the precision vaccines program at Boston Children's Hospital, who has advised the FDA, said people who are at high risk of severe illness still may want to consider getting a Covid shot, if they can find one. High risk groups include: Older adults People with weakened immune systems Pregnant women Those with underlying health conditions, such as asthma and heart disease Getting a shot is especially important, Levy said, for those who haven't had one in over a year and whose immunity has likely waned. 'If you're in a high risk group and you're in a state where cases are rising, you may want to just get the first available appointment and get a shot to protect yourself,' he said. People at high risk can then consider getting an additional Covid shot when the updated vaccines are distributed in the fall, he said. Covid has two waves a year Schaffner, of Vanderbilt, said people in the high risk groups may also want to consider wearing a mask during indoor activities, such as the movies. Healthy adults and children may be able to wait longer before getting another shot, Levy added. 'If you're in a lower risk group, that's where things get fuzzy,' he said. 'I mean if you want a vaccine and your health care provider concurs and you can get it.' Dr. Michael Phillips, an infectious disease doctor at NYU Langone, said that he sees mostly immunocompromised and older adults test positive for the virus. For those who haven't gotten a Covid shot in years, Phillips said he doesn't think they should worry just yet. 'If you're younger, otherwise healthy, I think you're OK,' Phillips said. 'If you have underlying pulmonary disease, you know, if you're an older age group, now that's a time when you should be really talking to a doctor and saying, 'Gosh, should I be getting a booster for Covid?'' He said that the amount of positive Covid tests NYU Langone has seen has decreased 40% since February. Fatima Amaeka, a senior analyst at the Center for Outbreak Response Innovation at Johns Hopkins, said she expects the current wave to peak around September. Schaffner said to expect another wave in the late fall and winter. '[Covid] has two increases each year,' he said. 'Everyone is familiar with the winter increase that goes along with flu and RSV.'
News18
12-07-2025
- Health
- News18
New Covid Variant XFG Explained: Symptoms, Spread & Safety Tips You Need To Know
Last Updated: Symptoms mirror Omicron's, that is, fever, cough, fatigue, sore throat, and muscle aches. Though India's Covid response offers a foundation, but XFG demands targeted strategies As India navigates a post-Covid world, a new Omicron subvariant, XFG ('Stratus"), is raising concerns with its rapid spread and immune-evasive traits. First detected in Canada, XFG has reached 38 countries, including India, where it accounts for a growing share of cases. With India's active Covid-19 cases at 7,000 as of June 2025, per the Union Health Ministry, let's examine XFG's characteristics, India-specific data, and how the nation can prepare for this and future pandemics, drawing lessons from long Covid. What Is The XFG Variant? XFG, a recombinant subvariant of Omicron, emerges from the fusion of LF.7 and LP.8.1.2 strains, formed when two variants infect a person simultaneously, mixing genetic material. A Lancet study highlights four key spike protein mutations—His445Arg, Asn487Asp, Gln493Glu, and Thr572Ile—enabling 'strong immune evasion," allowing XFG to bypass antibodies from prior infections or vaccines. Globally, XFG accounts for 22.7% of sequenced cases as of June 2025, up from 7.4% a month earlier, per GISAID (Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data), and may soon dominate over NB.1.8.1 ('Nimbus"), per The Conversation. In India, it's the dominant strain in Madhya Pradesh, with 63.6% of sequenced samples, per AIIMS Bhopal. Symptoms mirror Omicron's, that is, fever, cough, fatigue, sore throat, and muscle aches. However, XFG uniquely causes hoarseness—a scratchy or raspy voice—reported by doctors as a key marker, per Everyday Health. Unlike JN.1, which caused low-grade fever and digestive issues, XFG's symptoms are mild to moderate, with no evidence of increased severity or hospitalisation rates, per WHO. Current vaccines, targeting JN.1, remain effective against severe disease, and antivirals like Paxlovid and remdesivir work, per Time. How Many XFG Cases Have India Reported? India has reported 206 XFG cases as of June 11, per INSACOG, with Maharashtra leading at 89 cases, followed by West Bengal (49), Tamil Nadu (16), Kerala (15), Gujarat (11), and Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh (6 each), Odisha (4), Puducherry (3), Delhi, Rajasthan, and Punjab (2 each), and Telangana and Haryana (1 each), per The Hindu. Of these, 159 cases were detected in May, with two each in April and June, indicating a rapid rise. India's active Covid-19 cases reached 7,000 by June 11, with Kerala reporting the highest active cases (2,200), followed by Gujarat (1,223) and Delhi (757). A 2024 ICMR survey notes 66% of respiratory viral infections in India are Covid-related, but hospitalisations remain low, News18 reported. AIIMS Bhopal's genomic analysis of 44 samples from May-June found XFG dominant in 28 (63.6%), with no NB.1.8.1 detected in Madhya Pradesh, highlighting regional variation. Dr Rajiv Behl, ICMR Director General, stresses XFG's low severity but urges vigilance for vulnerable groups—those over 70 or with comorbidities. Why XFG Matters To India India's 1.4 billion population and $3 trillion economy face significant risks from new variants. Long Covid, affecting 7% of India's 44 million Covid cases (3 million people), costs 1% of GDP annually, per a 2024 NITI Aayog estimate, with 40% reporting fatigue and 25% brain fog. XFG's immune evasion could exacerbate this. Rural areas, with only 10% of health centres offering post-Covid care, face worse outcomes, per The Indian Express. A 2024 Times of India poll shows only 25% of Indians know about long Covid, limiting XFG awareness. Vaccine hesitancy, at 30% in rural India, and low Omicron-specific booster uptake (18%) weaken defences, per ICMR 2024. With 74 Covid deaths in 2025, mostly among the elderly and immunocompromised, XFG's spread threatens vulnerable groups. How India Should Prepare India's Covid response—2.2 billion vaccine doses by 2025—offers a foundation, but XFG demands targeted strategies: Enhanced Genomic Surveillance: INSACOG's 54 labs must expand sequencing, as only 0.1% of cases are sequenced, per The Hindu. AIIMS Bhopal's model, detecting XFG in 63.6% of samples, shows the value of regional labs. Scaling Truenat and RT-PCR testing to 80% of health centers, especially rural ones, could detect variants early, per Dr Balram Bhargava, a renowned cardiologist and public health leader. Vaccination & Boosters: Only 18% of Indians have Omicron-specific boosters. A 2025 campaign targeting 50% booster coverage, especially for those over 70, could cut severe cases by 30%, per WHO. Mobile vaccination units, successful in 2021, should reach rural areas. Hospital Preparedness: Only 50% of health centres have ventilators, and 30% lack oxygen, per a 2024 MoHFW report. The Centre's 2025 mock drills must ensure 75% of 1.5 lakh centers have isolation beds and antivirals, costing Rs 5,000 crore. Telemedicine, used by 15% of urban Indians, can expand to rural areas. Masking and Ventilation: XFG's spread in crowded spaces, like Mumbai's trains, requires masks and improved ventilation. A 2023 Singapore study cut transmission by 20% with air purifiers. India's public buildings need similar upgrades. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : covid symptoms Long COVID omicron view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
TimesLIVE
04-07-2025
- Health
- TimesLIVE
Don't panic about new SARS-CoV-2 variant, experts say
Covid-19 has largely dropped out of the headlines, but the virus that causes it is still circulating. We ask what we should know about a new variant of SARS-CoV-2, the state of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2025 and the lack of access to updated vaccines in South Africa. In the leafy Johannesburg suburb of Sandringham, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) bears a deceptive façade. Do not be fooled by its sleepy campus, clustered face brick buildings and shade cloth parking; this government facility is home to state-of-the-art biosafety laboratories and some of South Africa's top virologists, microbiologists and epidemiologists. Here, 71 scientists are tasked daily with laboratory-based disease surveillance to protect the country from pathogen outbreak events. On March 5 2020, then health minister Zweli Mkhize announced South Africa's first Covid‑19 infection at an NICD press briefing. At the time, the NICD was an obscure acronym for many, but that quickly changed as the institution became central to the country's pandemic response. While the Covid-19 pandemic may have waned, the NICD hasn't stopped monitoring. That is because there remains a global public health risk associated with Covid-19. The World Health Organisation (WHO) states: 'There has been evidence of decreasing impact on human health throughout 2023 and 2024 compared with 2020-2023, driven mainly by: high levels of population immunity, achieved through infection, vaccination or both; similar virulence of currently circulating JN.1 sublineages of the SARS-CoV-2 virus compared with previously circulating Omicron sublineages; and the availability of diagnostic tests and improved clinical case management. SARS-CoV-2 circulation nevertheless continues at considerable levels in many areas, as indicated in regional trends, without any established seasonality and with unpredictable evolutionary patterns.' Thus, while SARS-CoV-2 is still circulating, it is clearly not making remotely as many people ill or claiming nearly as many lives as it did four years ago. Asked about this, Foster Mohale, spokesperson for the national health department, said 'there are no reports of people getting severely sick and dying due to Covid-19 in South Africa now'. Variant under monitoring As SARS-CoV-2 circulates, it continues to mutate. The WHO recently designated variant NB.1.8.1 as a new variant under monitoring. There is however no reason for alarm.
West Australian
25-06-2025
- Health
- West Australian
COVID-19 variant NB.1.8.1: Everything you need to know about the new dominant strain and how our vaccines will hold up
A new COVID-19 variant is drawing global attention due to its rapid spread worldwide. The variant — NB.1.8.1 — is set to become the dominant strain in Australia. However, because it has mutated from known variants, the nation's vaccines are still expected to offer decent protection. NB.1.8.1 is already the dominant strain in Western Australia, according to wastewater surveillance reports. 'It's taking off pretty quickly,' Deakin University Professor and Epidemiology Chair Catherine Bennett told 'It is related to variants that we've seen, it looks like two of them have kind of combined, but it has some new mutations as well.' These mutations have two key effects. First, the variant appears different enough from previous strains that our immune systems don't immediately recognize it. This means it can evade the immune defences developed through earlier infections or vaccinations, Bennett explained. Second, the mutations improve the variant's ability to bind to receptors in the mucosal linings of the human body. 'It just means if you're exposed, you're more likely to catch it,' Bennett said. 'People just need to be aware of infection where they can, and avoid spreading it where they can — if they've got symptoms, no matter what it is, it's not the time to socialise.' NB.1.8.1 is a descendant from Omicron JN.1 — the same strain targeted by current vaccines. 'It was wise that they invested in vaccines that were trailing along that JN.1 family,' Bennett told 'While the vaccine is not perfectly matched to this sub-variant, there is enough relationship with the JN.1 strain that is in the vaccine, that allows us to still have an effective vaccine.' This winter marks Australia's fifth with COVID-19 — though the worst impacts occurred in 2022, 2023, and 2024. In recent months, Australians have relaxed their attitudes toward the virus, buoyed by a seasonal reprieve from high infection rates — a reprieve that has also lowered overall immunity. That complacency is one of several factors creating a perfect storm for a surge in cases: winter, waning immunity, immune evasion by the new variant, and its high transmissibility. 'All those things lining up together suggest that we might be in for a bigger winter wave, possibly even than we saw last year,' Bennett said. 'It could be the first time in a year that we see COVID really starting to impact people,' she said. Bennett noted that right now, 'is the first time that people in ICU with COVID-19 has dropped to the level it has.' These ICU rates are the lowest since 2021 — but they are expected to rise again this winter. 'The more we can do to help reduce spreading the virus around, then the better off we'll be,' Bennett said. At the height of the pandemic in Australia, deaths from COVID-19 were ten times higher than those from the flu. 'That's dropped, but it is still five times higher than the flu. So COVID-19 is still to be taken seriously,' Bennett said. The World Health Organisation recently evaluated NB.1.8.1 as a 'low risk' variant overall. That classification reflects comparisons with previous, more severe strains, but also considers current levels of population immunity and treatment availability. 'It can still make some people very sick, but it's not more severe than the last strains we've seen,' Bennett said. 'The other thing the World Health Organisation looks at, is whether the treatments we have still work, that our testing measures still work, that all of that is still okay — and it is,' she said. 'Actually having a booster shot at the start of a wave gives you the best coverage you can have through those next six to eight weeks, which is how long a wave will take.' She urged people over 65 to review their vaccination status, and reminded adults over 18 that they remain eligible for boosters. 'It pays to think about whether you've had an infection, and whether actually a booster might not be a bad thing at this stage.'
