BOSTON—In Massachusetts, the number of COVID-19 cases is going up again, and it’s going up quickly.
Data from the state on wastewater shows that Massachusetts has a rate that is more than twice the national average. That’s what tests from the end of July showed. Also, the numbers across the country are higher than usual.
The CDC says that 19 states are in the “very high” range. Massachusetts is one of them. That’s also the range for the rest of New England. The number of trips to the emergency room is at its highest level since February.
Since last winter, this has been the busiest time for COVID in Massachusetts.
Why is COVID going up again?
Dr. Mallika Marshall said that the coronavirus keeps changing to get around our immune systems. This means that even if you get sick, you will no longer be protected against it after three months. Some people are naturally immune to getting sick, though, and those who get their shots regularly are much less likely to get sick and end up in the hospital or worse.
As an expert in infectious diseases at Tufts, Dr. Shira Doron doesn’t think this rise is caused by people’s actions. “I honestly think that this is about viral evolution and the fact that new subvariants of Omicron are always emerging under the pressure of community immunity,” said Dr. Doron.
Moderna, a company based in Cambridge, is also working on a COVID/flu vaccine. Moderna said that tests are going well, but they don’t know when it will be ready.
COVID rules for 2024
As of now, you should stay away from other people until you haven’t had a fever in at least 24 hours without taking fever-lowering drugs and your symptoms have gotten better. But even if those things are true, you should still wear a mask for another five days to keep other people safe.
Guidelines are still the same as for other respiratory illnesses, but Dr. Doron can help people who are at high risk by giving them tips on tests they can do at home.
“Those home tests because people have had so many infections and shots that their immune systems are now keeping the virus in their noses.” “It could be days before the test comes back positive,” Dr. Doron said. “That test does need to be taken over and over again.” Being treated early with drugs makes them work better, so if you think you might have COVID and are at a very high risk, you might want to get a PCR test at the doctor’s office or an urgent care center. If it comes back positive, you can start treatment right away.
