MIAMI – Record travel across the country and indoor gatherings because of the heat are both lending themselves to a summer surge of COVID, and the scene is playing out at hospitals across South Florida.
Dr. Joel Haines of HCA Florida Kendall Hospital says the strong variant leading the pack is called KP.3.
“These tests are coming back positive and positive at like a higher rate. It really is back and we’re seeing a lot more of it, so it’s important to stay aware,” said Haines. “It definitely is a little bit more infectious than some of the more recent waves we’ve seen, which is why we’ve seen such a high uptick in these numbers. We are hospitalizing more people, probably because of the number of people we’re seeing.”
It’s not as bad as two years ago, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reporting that 21 states have very high levels of COVID-19 right now.
Tracking data isn’t as specific as it used to be, but Florida is among those states. As seen in the state’s wastewater data, it’s important to take precautions.
Dr. Marcos Mestre, with Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, says COVID seems to peak twice a year, affecting children just as much.
“COVID itself has been lasting longer and longer, especially in people with weakened immune systems,” said Mestre. “They’re getting the long COVID symptoms.”
He says fever and cough are something to keep an eye on, but there are times when more intervention might be needed.