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Doctors Predict Potential COVID-19 Cases this Fall and Winter
While a few years have passed since the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, people should never neglect basic cautionary measures such as keeping masks on and practicing proper hygiene.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), numerous states have high levels of infection, which raised alarm bells on potential cases this fall and winter.
This Pacific Prime Latin America article will discuss doctors’ predictions on what cases of COVID-19 could look like during fall and winter.
Overview: Predictions on COVID-19 Cases this Fall and Winter
According to the CDC’s wastewater data, numerous states saw extremely high levels of infection, which begs the question: “What does this mean for fall and winter when it’s extremely common for various diseases, including COVID-19 to spike?”.
While nothing’s for certain on whether the fall and winter seasons will see surging COVID-19 cases, notable healthcare experts offered their insight on infection predictions during these critical seasons.
Below are experts’ predictions on potential COVID-19 cases this fall and winter:
Prediction #1: Infections Could Slow Down During the Early Fall
Yale Medicine’s infectious disease specialist and associate medical director in infection prevention at Yale New Haven Health in Connecticut, Dr. Scott Roberts, anticipated a decrease in COVID-19 cases during the early fall after the “atypical July through August surge”, and added that the pattern of dropping cases would carry over through “at least the next few months”.
On the other hand, professor of epidemiology and director of the Pandemic Center at Brown University School of Public Health in Rhode Island, Dr. Jennifer Nuzzo, stated that while cases of COVID-19 may be slowing down “in some places”, possibly entering “a period of decline”, there’s still a ton of COVID-19 happening all around, emphasizing the need for proper cautionary measures regardless of the number of cases.
Prediction #2: COVID-19 Cases Could Rise Again Later During Fall and Winter
Dr. Matthew Binnicker, director of clinical virology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, anticipated higher cases of COVID-19 “beginning with the fall and winter months”, stating that the fall and winter months typically see higher rates of respiratory illnesses like COVID-19 due to the viruses being capable of surviving in “cooler temperatures” as people remain indoors.
Binnicker expected COVID-19 rates to be even higher than the summer surge, particularly during November through January. Binnicker predicted a winter wave, though the infection rates could be lower than previous winter waves.
Prediction #3: Potentially Less Infections Over the Winter Due to Immunity Boosts
Dr. Roberts stated that the odds of people getting infected over the winter are considerably less due to them having an immunity boost to “current circulating variants”. He added that the infection rates of this winter wave lasting from December through February could be lower than past winters unless there is “some sort of variant from left field that we’re not expecting”.
The Unpredictability of COVID-19 and Recommendations for Updated Vaccination
As previously mentioned, regardless of the number of cases, COVID-19 is all around, meaning you never know if and when you could get infected due to the virus’ unpredictability.
While Dr. Nuzzo envisioned less infections this fall and winter, she also expressed uncertainty regarding “what’s going to happen with how the virus mutates” and if new variants and subvariants could emerge.
Because of the unpredictability of COVID-19, people should do their best to not get sick or lessen the illness as much as possible if they do get infected. Dr. Binnicker strongly recommended getting the updated COVID-19 vaccine as the “best step” as it’s been designed to “elicit immune response” against one of the more recent variants.
As long as it’s been two months following your most recent COVID-19 vaccination, you can then get a booster jab immediately. If you have been infected recently, however, you can wait at least three months for the injection, though you don’t necessarily have to.
If you’re unsure of when you should get a new shot, talk to your doctor to get the best recommendation on the vaccination timing.
In the meantime, if you have COVID-19 or are in close contact with people who are infected, stay home and avoid sharing items such as toiletries to prevent cross-contamination. If you need to go outside, remember to always wear a mask and always carry hand sanitizers to ensure proper hygiene.
Conclusion
Notable fall and winter COVID-19 predictions from experts include a potential infection decline during the early fall, possible rise in cases during fall and winter, and potentially fewer infections over the winter thanks to immunity boosts. While nothing’s for certain regarding infections, you can take basic cautionary measures to keep yourself safe and healthy.
These include practicing general hygiene by wearing a mask when going outside and carrying hand sanitizers. If you’d like to get a booster shot but you’re unsure of the vaccination timing, we recommend consulting a doctor for the best recommendations as to when you should get the additional jab.
While the potential for infections during the fall and winter remains to be seen, you can always craft a safety net for yourself and your family with a health insurance plan. Securing the right health insurance plan with body examination and vaccination coverage can help you take a preventive approach in the face of COVID-19.
While finding a suitable health insurance plan, especially amidst the uncertainty of COVID-19 infections during the fall and winter, may be daunting, it doesn’t always have to be a headache and we’re happy to help you.
As an experienced health insurance broker, Pacific Prime Latin America has helped both expats and local citizens secure suitable health insurance plans for themselves and their beloved families. Whether you’re an expat in Mexico or a local citizen yourself, we can help you even further with completely impartial advice at no additional cost.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to get in touch with us. Alternatively, if you would like to compare plans from various insurers, you can get a free quote here.
He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Arts, Media & Communication major (concentration: Creative Content) from Mahidol University International College (MUIC). During the compulsory major elective period in the summer of 2021 and voluntarily during the summer of 2022, he also interned as a video and photo editor at Mbrella Films.
He has experience working as an English Content Writer at a real estate buying/renting/selling platform in Thonglor. There, he crafted company blog posts on a multitude of topics. Topics include market trends, legal issues and disputes in property businesses, financial guides, expat guides, home insurance, home decoration and maintenance, and weekly real estate news quick-recaps. Occasionally, as part of the blog-writing process, he would also translate existing Thai blogs to English.
In his free time, Guy enjoys doing scriptwriting and storytelling for comic strips, watching movies, and listening to music (particularly film scores).
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