Summer vacations and the beginning of the new school year coincided with an increase in COVID-19 cases last month, and the upward trend in cases has continued into September.
Across the United States, new COVID-19-related hospital admissions rose 116%, jumping from 8,061 in the week ending on July 22 to 17,418 in the week ending on August 26. In Texas, admissions are up by 70% over the past month.
The Texas Department of Health and Human Services has recorded 483,490 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Texas this year as of its most recent report on September 5.
The number of probable or confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported in Texas the week ending on September 2 was 30,196, up from 27,195 the previous week.
Dr. Mark Casanova, a member of the Texas Medical Association’s COVID-19 task force, said that the increasing number of cases in Texas is following the current national trend and that medical professionals must “maintain vigilance” in the wake of the spike.
Despite the increase in cases, Casanova noted that the effects of the most recent strain of the virus have been fairly mild.
“The behavior of this strain seems to be on par with the various omicron strains that we’ve seen,” Casanova said. “We’re not seeing individuals get particularly more sick than before.”
In the DFW metroplex, the number of COVID-19-related hospitalizations from July 21 to September 1 has risen 141%, increasing from 134 to 323, according to the DFW Hospital Council, WFAA reported.
Dallas County Health Director Phil Huang said the current trends are below previously recorded peaks.
“We’re not where we were before, but we’re still monitoring it and see where to go from here,” said Huang, according to WFAA. “The numbers are much lower than they’ve been at the worst, but they’re definitely increasing.”
Huang said that while the virus can be treated at home and hospitals are prepared to deal with the rise, those most at risk should take every precaution to protect their health.
Multiple studies have identified obesity as a serious risk factor when it comes to COVID-19, with infected individuals exhibiting more severe symptoms, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
Casanova encouraged the public to take the upcoming COVID booster to enhance their immune systems.
“A lot of reasons for us to take this seriously — not panic — but consider getting that booster,” said Casanova, according to WFAA.
“Masks still work, and vaccines save lives,” he claimed.
Due to rising cases, some major medical organizations have announced they would reimpose masking mandates, prompting outcries from detractors who suggest such a move is draconian, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
