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XEC Variant May Be Driving ‘Silent’ COVID-19 Surge In December 2024
As the world slowly moves away from the intense pandemic days of last year, a new threat has emerged. The XEC variant, which is not getting as much attention from political leaders as it should, may be driving a “silent” surge in COVID-19 cases. This surge does not come with the same sensationalist headlines and emergency declarations that we saw during the early pandemic days, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less concerning.
Recent data shows that mortality rates are increasing, and while they’re still relatively low compared to previous years, the trend is not reassuring. Additionally, hospitalization rates have also seen a significant increase in recent weeks. It seems like COVID-19 has evolved into a more insidious threat, one that is no longer grabbing headlines but still causing harm.
To put this in perspective, the percentage of all deaths that were due to COVID-19 for the week ending December 14 was 1.1%, up from 0.8% the week prior. This is an after-the-surge-has-already-been-occurring-for-a-while measure and does not take into account the potential impact of long Covid, which has been shown to have severe and lasting effects.
These statistics are all the more concerning given that people’s immune systems are less “virginal” to SARS-CoV-2. As a result, it is possible that the virus may be becoming even more aggressive in its attacks on the body.
To protect ourselves during this silent surge, it is essential we revisit some primary measures from the pandemic era:
* Washing your hands frequently and thoroughly: It’s crucial to remember that hand hygiene has never been more important.
* Staying home when you’re sick: Remember, you are not that important for work or that party, certainly not important enough to get everyone else sick.
* Practicing appropriate social distancing: Keep those around 6 feet away. Don’t make SARS-CoV-2 your neighbor.
* Keeping indoor spaces well-ventilated with air purification: This is crucial in removing harmful particles from the air and reducing the risk of transmission.
It’s also vital that we continue to update our COVID-19 vaccines to keep up with the evolving virus. The protection offered by vaccination tends to begin waning at the four to six-month mark, so it is essential to get booster shots as needed.
The XEC variant has shown us that COVID-19 is not just a pandemic but also a persistent problem. It’s time for us to remember what we learned during those early days and take necessary precautions once again.
Source: www.forbes.com
