CDC Issues This COVID Warning

Although it may feel like the coronavirus pandemic is wrapping up fast, with COVID-19 vaccines being distributed, cases are actually rising: "The current 7-day moving average of daily new cases (69,577) increased 8.1% compared with the previous 7-day moving average (64,340)," according to the CDC's COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review. "The virus still "causes a concern." Read on for the 5 points every American needs to know to stay safe—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss this urgent news: Here's How You Can Catch COVID Even If You're Vaccinated.

"We are in a complicated stage of the COVID-19 pandemic," says the CDC's review. "Americans are being vaccinated every day at an accelerated pace. As of April 15, 2021, more than 125 million Americans have received at least one dose of vaccine, and more than 78 million Americans are fully vaccinated. And yet, COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are increasing in some areas of the country, and among younger people who have not yet been vaccinated. The reasons for these increases are complicated but potentially related to emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants that are becoming predominant in some communities." 

"Nationally, COVID-19-related emergency department visits as well as both hospital admissions and current hospitalizations have risen among patients ages 18 to 64 years in recent weeks," says the CDC. "The good news is that emergency department visits and hospitalizations among people ages 65 years and older have decreased, likely demonstrating the important role vaccination plays in protecting against COVID-19. As of April 15, 80% of people 65 years or older have received at least one dose of vaccine and 63.7% are fully vaccinated." Hospitalizations are going up, sadly: "While new admissions have decreased considerably since their January peaks, the 7-day moving average has now been increasing for approximately 3 weeks."

The variants you may have heard about are more prevalent that you might think: "Based on specimens collected through March 27, an estimated 44.1% of COVID-19 cases in the United States are caused by the SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.7." That variant is wreaking havoc in many countries. "At least 40 cases of COVID-19 involving the B.1.1.7 variant have been traced to a 100-plus 'superspreader' outdoor party over the Easter weekend in the Maple Creek area of Saskatchewan, says the province's health authority," reports Canada's Global News. 

"Although the 7-day moving average of daily new deaths has generally decreased for the past 13 weeks, the 7-day average of daily new deaths (712) increased 10.8% compared with the prior 7-day average," says the CDC. "As of April 14, 2021, a total of 561,356 COVID-19 deaths have been reported, including 831 new deaths."6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

"As access to vaccines for all Americans increases, we have reason to be hopeful," says the CDC. "However, until more of the U.S. population is fully vaccinated, consistent use of prevention strategies, such as universal and correct use of masks, social distancing, and hand washing, will help to limit the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Even if you have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, you should keep taking these everyday precautions in public places." So get vaccinated as soon as you can, and to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Signs Your Illness is Actually Coronavirus in Disguise.