01/16/2024

The Most Recent COVID-19 Surge

This is our 'new normal'

Right now, you probably know a lot of sick people. Most parts of the U.S. are getting pummeled by respiratory illness, with 7 percent of all outpatient health care visits recorded during the week ending Dec. 30 related to these sicknesses, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Many people are sick with flu, while others have RSV or other routine winter viruses. But COVID-19 is also tearing through the population, thanks largely to the highly contagious JN.1 variant. Just like every year since 2021, this one is starting with a COVID-19 surge—and Americans are getting a good glimpse of what their “new normal” may look like, said Katelyn Jetelina, the epidemiologist who writes the Your Local Epidemiologist newsletter.

"Unfortunately, signs are pointing to this [being] the level of disruption and disease we're going to be faced with in years to come," she added.

Please select this link to read the complete article from TIME.