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Time Magazine
10 hours ago
- Health
- Time Magazine
COVID-19 Is Rising Again. Here's What to Know
As much as we want to put it behind us, COVID-19 isn't going away. Cases are currently rising across the country in a summer surge. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that cases of COVID-19 are increasing in nine states and likely growing in another 16. The trends are estimates, as the CDC no longer conducts rigorous surveillance of cases based on results from lab tests. Fewer people are also getting tested. But the data do provide a hint of how the disease is changing over time, and new monitoring systems that track viruses in wastewater confirm the rise. The CDC says that the overall level of respiratory diseases in the U.S.— COVID-19, flu, and RSV—remains 'very low,' but that emergency room visits for COVID-19 are on the rise, accounting for 0.5% of emergency room visits in the country as of mid July, compared to 0.3% of cases at the beginning of the summer. While that may seem like a small increase, emergency room visits are a bellwether for disease trends, since they represent cases in which people are sick enough to seek care. 'We are starting to hear about more young kids or older adults showing up in the emergency room with COVID-19,' says Dr. Luis Ostrosky, chief of infectious diseases at UT Health Houston. Texas is one of the states seeing spikes in infections. Here's what experts say you need to know about the current surge in cases. Why are COVID-19 cases increasing in the summer? Unlike most respiratory diseases like the common cold and flu, which generally peak during the winter, COVID-19 tends to spike twice and sometimes three times a year: once in the fall and winter, once in spring, and another time in the summer. While viruses tend to spread more easily when people are gathered indoors during cold weather, the post-winter time periods also coincide with 'travel, vacations, and people congregating and going to events,' says Ostrosky. COVID-19 trends also depend on the emergence and spread of new variants. The latest, including NB.1.8.1, are getting better at spreading among people, which contributes to a bump in cases. Read More: What to Do About Your Red, Itchy Eyes Another factor that could be driving the surge in infections is that fewer people are getting vaccinated, for a number of reasons. U.S. health authorities recently changed COVID-19 vaccine recommendations, continuing to recommend yearly shots for older people and those who have weakened immune systems, but allowing otherwise healthy adults more leeway to decide whether to get vaccinated. Many experts, however, continue to encourage people to get them. 'What I tell my colleagues and patients is that we need to follow the evidence, and the best evidence out there is not controversial,' says Ostrosky. 'Vaccines are safe and very effective in preventing severe disease, hospitalizations, mortality, and Long COVID.' It's important for most people to get vaccinated every year to maintain good protection against severe disease, he says, and for those with weaker immune systems, including the elderly, to get vaccinated twice a year. 'I can't tell you how many times I've heard patients ask, 'Do COVID vaccines still work? Am I still supposed to get them?'' With less focus on the vaccines, education and awareness about them is dropping, he says, and that could fuel upticks in cases. Where is COVID-19 rising? According to the latest CDC estimates, the virus is growing in Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia. The agency's models find that there is a 95% chance that the epidemic is growing, which means more states could start to see increases in infections. What is the latest dominant COVID-19 variant? Omicron variants still account for all new infections in the U.S., with NB.1.8.1 responsible for 43% of cases as of the end of June. However, the CDC says the low number of cases reported to the agency means the data may not reflect the latest situation. Will the vaccine protect me from COVID-19? The current version of the vaccine targets a different, older Omicron variant, but it remains effective in protecting against severe disease because the viruses are closely related. 'Not only are they all Omicron, but they are from a specific branching of Omicron that is pretty well conserved over the past year and a half,' says Ostrosky. 'So I have pretty good confidence that the vaccine remains a good match for circulating variants.'
New York Post
11 hours ago
- Health
- New York Post
US fertility rate slumped to new low in 2024 — here's why it keeps dropping
The fertility rate in the U.S. dropped to an all-time low in 2024 with less than 1.6 kids per woman, new federal data released Thursday shows. The U.S. was once among only a few developed countries with a rate that ensured each generation had enough children to replace itself — about 2.1 kids per woman. But it has been sliding in America for close to two decades as more women are waiting longer to have children or never taking that step at all. 5 The U.S. was once among only a few developed countries with a rate that ensured each generation had enough children to replace itself. Adene Sanchez/ – The new statistic is on par with fertility rates in western European countries, according to World Bank data. Alarmed by recent drops, the Trump administration has taken steps to increase falling birth rates, like issuing an executive order meant to expand access to and reduce costs of in vitro fertilization and backing the idea of 'baby bonuses' that might encourage more couples to have kids. But there's no reason to be alarmed, according to Leslie Root, a University of Colorado Boulder researcher focused on fertility and population policy. 5 Alarmed by recent drops, the Trump administration has taken steps to increase falling birth rates. fizkes – 'We're seeing this as part of an ongoing process of fertility delay. We know that the U.S. population is still growing, and we still have a natural increase — more births than deaths,' she said. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the statistic for the total fertility rate with updated birth data for 2024. In the early 1960s, the U.S. total fertility rate was around 3.5, but plummeted to 1.7 by 1976 after the Baby Boom ended. It gradually rose to 2.1 in 2007 before falling again, aside from a 2014 uptick. The rate in 2023 was 1.621, and inched down in 2024 to 1.599, according to the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics. 5 In the early 1960s, the U.S. total fertility rate was around 3.5, but plummeted to 1.7 by 1976 after the Baby Boom ended. alice_photo – Birth rates are generally declining for women in most age groups — and that doesn't seem likely to change in the near future, said Karen Guzzo, director of the Carolina Population Center at the University of North Carolina. People are marrying later and also worried about their ability to have the money, health insurance and other resources needed to raise children in a stable environment. 'Worry is not a good moment to have kids,' and that's why birth rates in most age groups are not improving, she said. 5 Birth rates are generally declining for women in most age groups — and that doesn't seem likely to change in the near future. Nenov Brothers – Asked about birth-promoting measures outlined by the Trump administration, Guzzo said they don't tackle larger needs like parental leave and affordable child care. 'The things that they are doing are really symbolic and not likely to budge things for real Americans,' she said. Increase in births in new data 5 People are marrying later and also worried about their ability to have the money, health insurance and other resources needed to raise children. íâí¼í¸íâíâ¬í¸í¹ í¢í°í°íâ¡íÆí° – The CDC's new report, which is based on a more complete review of birth certificates than provisional data released earlier this year, also showed a 1% increase in births — about 33,000 more — last year compared to the prior year. That brought the yearly national total to just over 3.6 million babies born. But this is different: The provisional data indicated birth rate increases last year for women in their late 20s and 30s. However, the new report found birth rate declines for women in their 20s and early 30s, and no change for women in their late 30s. What happened? CDC officials said it was due to recalculations stemming from a change in the U.S. Census population estimates used to compute the birth rate. That's plausible, Root said. As the total population of women of childbearing age grew due to immigration, it offset small increases in births to women in those age groups, she said.
Boston Globe
21 hours ago
- Health
- Boston Globe
The US fertility rate reached a new low in 2024, CDC data shows
Alarmed by recent drops, the Trump administration has taken steps to increase falling birth rates, like issuing an executive order meant to expand access to and reduce costs of in vitro fertilization and backing the idea of 'baby bonuses' that might encourage more couples to have kids. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up But there's no reason to be alarmed, according to Leslie Root, a University of Colorado Boulder researcher focused on fertility and population policy. Advertisement 'We're seeing this as part of an ongoing process of fertility delay. We know that the U.S. population is still growing, and we still have a natural increase — more births than deaths,' she said. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the statistic for the total fertility rate with updated birth data for 2024. In the early 1960s, the U.S. total fertility rate was around 3.5, but plummeted to 1.7 by 1976 after the Baby Boom ended. It gradually rose to 2.1 in 2007 before falling again, aside from a 2014 uptick. The rate in 2023 was 1.621, and inched down in 2024 to 1.599, according to the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics. Advertisement Birth rates are generally declining for women in most age groups — and that doesn't seem likely to change in the near future, said Karen Guzzo, director of the Carolina Population Center at the University of North Carolina. People are marrying later and also worried about their ability to have the money, health insurance and other resources needed to raise children in a stable environment. 'Worry is not a good moment to have kids,' and that's why birth rates in most age groups are not improving, she said. Asked about birth-promoting measures outlined by the Trump administration, Guzzo said they don't tackle larger needs like parental leave and affordable child care. 'The things that they are doing are really symbolic and not likely to budge things for real Americans,' she said. Increase in births in new data The CDC's new report, which is based on a more complete review of birth certificates than provisional data released earlier this year, also showed a 1% increase in births — about 33,000 more — last year compared to the prior year. That brought the yearly national total to just over 3.6 million babies born. But this is different: The provisional data indicated birth rate increases last year for women in their late 20s and 30s. However, the new report found birth rate declines for women in their 20s and early 30s, and no change for women in their late 30s. What happened? CDC officials said it was due to recalculations stemming from a change in the U.S. Census population estimates used to compute the birth rate. Advertisement That's plausible, Root said. As the total population of women of childbearing age grew due to immigration, it offset small increases in births to women in those age groups, she said.
Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Health
- Winnipeg Free Press
Colorado's measles outbreak is over, and the weekly US case count continues to diminish
Health officials in Colorado say the state's measles outbreak is over, and the U.S. added just 10 confirmed cases nationally in the last week. Wednesday's national case count stood at 1,319, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Earlier this month, the U.S. passed the total count for 2019, when the country almost lost its status of having eliminated measles. A vast majority of this year's cases are from Texas, where a major outbreak raged through the late winter and spring. Other states with active outbreaks — which the CDC defines as three or more related cases — include Arizona, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Utah. There have been three deaths in the U.S. this year, and all were unvaccinated: two elementary school-aged children in West Texas and an adult in New Mexico. North America has three other large outbreaks. The longest, in Ontario, Canada, has resulted in 2,276 cases from mid-October through July 15. The province logged its first death June 5 in a baby who got congenital measles but also had other preexisting conditions. Another outbreak in Alberta, Canada, has sickened 1,472 as of Tuesday. And the Mexican state of Chihuahua had 3,296 measles cases and 10 deaths as of Tuesday, according to data from the state health ministry. Measles is caused by a highly contagious virus that's airborne and spreads easily when an infected person breathes, sneezes or coughs. It is preventable through vaccines and has been considered eliminated from the U.S. since 2000. How many measles cases are there in Texas? Texas did not add any cases in the last week, coming in at 762 measles cases Tuesday across 36 counties, most of them in West Texas. Throughout the outbreak, 99 people have been hospitalized. State health officials estimated less than 1% of cases — fewer than 10 — were actively infectious as of Tuesday. Statewide, only Lamar County has ongoing measles transmission, officials said. In total, though, more than half of Texas' cases (414) have been in Gaines County, where the virus started spreading in a close-knit, undervaccinated Mennonite community. The April 3 death in Texas was an 8-year-old child, according to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Local health officials said the child did not have underlying health conditions and died of 'what the child's doctor described as measles pulmonary failure.' A unvaccinated child with no underlying conditions died of measles in Texas in late February; Kennedy said the child was 6. How many measles cases are there in New Mexico? New Mexico also stayed steady at 95 measles cases on Tuesday. Lea County has seen the most with 67, but Lea and six other counties no longer have active measles spread, officials said Tuesday. An outbreak of 14 cases tied to a jail in Luna County remains active. An unvaccinated adult died of measles-related illness March 6. The person did not seek medical care. Seven people have been hospitalized since the state's outbreak started. How many cases are there in Oklahoma? Oklahoma held steady a third week at 17 confirmed and three probable cases. The state health department is not releasing which counties have cases, but no counties have recent public exposures. How many cases are there in Arizona? Arizona has four cases in Navajo County. They are linked to a single source, the county health department said June 9. All four were unvaccinated and had a history of recent international travel. How many cases are there in Georgia? Georgia has an outbreak of three cases in metro Atlanta, with the most recent infection confirmed June 18. The state has confirmed six total cases in 2025. The remaining three are part of an unrelated outbreak from January. How many cases are there in Iowa? Iowa announced another measles case on Tuesday, bringing the state's total to eight in 2025. The state health department said the new case isn't linked to others in the state, and occurred in a person who was fully vaccinated. An outbreak in eastern Johnson County involves four cases in members of the same household. How many cases are there in Kansas? Kansas was steady this week with 90 cases across 11 counties in the southwestern part of the state, with eight hospitalizations. All but three of the cases are connected, and most are in Gray County. How many measles cases are there in Kentucky? Kentucky has 13 cases this year. Central Kentucky's outbreak rose to nine cases as of July 8. The cases are in Fayette County, which includes Lexington, and neighboring Woodford County. How many cases are there in Michigan? The state has had 18 cases total in 2025; eight are linked to outbreaks. In northern Michigan, Grand Traverse County has an outbreak of four cases as of Wednesday. An earlier outbreak of four cases in Montcalm County was declared over on June 2. How many cases are there in Missouri? Missouri stayed steady with seven cases as of Wednesday. Five cases are in southwestern Cedar County, and four of those are members of the same family. The fifth case is still under investigation, according to county health director Victoria Barker. How many cases are there in Montana? Montana added two measles cases this week for a total of 27. Cascade County confirmed its first case. Seventeen were in Gallatin County, which is where the first cases showed up — Montana's first in 35 years. Flathead County has two cases, Yellowstone County had three and Hill County had four cases. There are outbreaks in neighboring North Dakota and the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan. How many cases are there in Utah? Utah's measles case count rose by one to 11 as of Tuesday. At least three of the cases are linked, the state health department said last week. State epidemiologist Dr. Leisha Nolen has said there are at least three different measles clusters in the state. Where else is measles showing up in the U.S.? Measles cases also have been reported this year in Alaska, Arkansas, California, District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wyoming. Earlier outbreaks in Illinois, Indiana, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Tennessee are over. Cases and outbreaks in the U.S. are frequently traced to someone who caught the disease abroad. The CDC said in May that more than twice as many measles have come from outside of the U.S. compared to May of last year. Most of those are in unvaccinated Americans returning home. What do you need to know about the MMR vaccine? The best way to avoid measles is to get the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. The first shot is recommended for children between 12 and 15 months old and the second between 4 and 6 years old. Getting another MMR shot as an adult is harmless if there are concerns about waning immunity, the CDC says. People who have documentation of receiving a live measles vaccine in the 1960s don't need to be revaccinated, but people who were immunized before 1968 with an ineffective vaccine made from 'killed' virus should be revaccinated with at least one dose, the agency said. People who have documentation that they had measles are immune and those born before 1957 generally don't need the shots because so many children got measles back then that they have 'presumptive immunity.' Measles has a harder time spreading through communities with high vaccination rates — above 95% — due to 'herd immunity.' But childhood vaccination rates have declined nationwide since the pandemic and more parents are claiming religious or personal conscience waivers to exempt their kids from required shots. What are the symptoms of measles? Measles first infects the respiratory tract, then spreads throughout the body, causing a high fever, runny nose, cough, red, watery eyes and a rash. The rash generally appears three to five days after the first symptoms, beginning as flat red spots on the face and then spreading downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet. When the rash appears, the fever may spike over 104 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the CDC. Most kids will recover from measles, but infection can lead to dangerous complications such as pneumonia, blindness, brain swelling and death. How can you treat measles? There's no specific treatment for measles, so doctors generally try to alleviate symptoms, prevent complications and keep patients comfortable. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Tuscarawas County man infected with La Crosse virus
UHRICHVILLE, Ohio (WJW) — A Tuscarawas County man is recovering after health officials said he recently contracted the La Crosse virus. The Tuscarawas County Health Department was notified about the confirmed human case on July 17. The La Crosse virus is a viral disease that spreads to humans when bit by infected eastern tree hole mosquitoes, which typically reside in wooded and forested areas. The patient, a 66-year-old Uhrichsville man, was hospitalized after developing viral meningitis from the disease. He has since been released and is recovering at home, the health department said. Malcolm-Jamal Warner, 'Cosby Show' star, dies at 54 This is Tuscarawas County's first confirmed human case since 2021, but according to health officials, Ohio reports an average of 20 cases per year. 'La Crosse virus is rare in Ohio, and we don't want anyone to panic,' said Tuscarawas County Health Commissioner Katie Seward. 'We are simply asking Uhrichsville area residents to be careful and talk with their medical providers about any health concerns.' According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most people infected with La Crosse don't have any symptoms, but people who do may experience fever, headaches, nausea, vomiting and lethargy. Severe cases typically occur in kids under 16 years old, including symptoms like seizures, coma, paralysis and other neurological issues. The infection is deadly in less than 1% of cases, health officials said. There are no vaccines for La Crosse, health officials said, so the best way to combat the virus is to prevent mosquito bites. Why Dairy Queen can't legally call its product ice cream Residents are encouraged to use insect repellant while outdoors. They can also wear clothes that cover their skin to stay protected. In response to the confirmed case, the Tuscarawas County Health Department will be spraying for mosquitoes in Uhrichsville from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Monday, weather permitting. Learn more about the health department's mosquito control program right here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
