Virginia Department of Health weighs in on COVID summer surge

HAMPTON ROADS, Va. (WAVY) — Summer is officially here and so are the increased chances of getting a COVID infection, as a substantial spike in cases could impact more than 30 states, including Virginia.

Data from recent water testing is raising concerns. The CDC said a growing number of viral infections were recently detected, as it has seen as much as a 12.6% jump in some states.

“We’re going to have this in our community,” said Lisa Engle, an epidemiologist with the Virginia Department of Health. “I mean, it’s here. It’s staying here. So, taking precautions like you normally would with any respiratory illness, flu or COVID, we still need to do that. But I would not say we need to start social distancing and wear a mask all the time.”

While there’s a new KP.3 flirt variant, she said we can expect similar symptoms.

There’s a new dominant COVID variant — but are the symptoms any different?

“The variants change with COVID,” Engle said. “They seem to change faster than the flu does. But with COVID the variance is going to be consistently changing.”

Engle says the most effective solution for COVID is to still get vaccinated.

“Right now, the vaccines are helping prevent us from getting really sick,” Engle said. “Otherwise, we’d see deaths all over again. Be cognizant of other people. And washing your hands is a big deal. I can’t stress that enough. And staying home when you’re sick.”


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