If You Live In These Areas Of The US, You Need To Be Extra Cautious Of COVID Right Now

Two new COVID variants, Stratus and Nimbus, are behind the summer increase in cases, said Roberts, but they are not any more severe than previous COVID strains. 

That being said, a COVID infection can still lead to complications such as long COVID, hospitalization, and death, said Coles. And, COVID emergency room visits are also on the rise in many parts of the country.

“I would strongly encourage everybody to take actions to stay healthy from COVID and prevent the spread of COVID to others. I would encourage people to stay home when they feel sick, wash their hands, wear a mask in crowded public areas, get vaccinated if and when vaccines become available, and encourage their family and community members to do so as well,” Coles said.

The COVID vaccine conversation is an, unfortunately, complicated one right now as the new COVID shots are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (but not yet the CDC) but very restricted and are available to a smaller group of people than in previous years.

Shots for 2025-2026 are approved for people 65 and older and those under 65 with an underlying condition that puts them at high risk of severe COVID. Last year, everyone over 6 months was eligible for the shot. 

The new vaccines are designed to target the COVID variants circulating now, Long said. “Certainly, if folks haven’t had a recent COVID shot, would like to have a COVID shot, it is the best defense against severe disease, hospitalization and death from COVID,” Long said.

The vaccines are effective, safe and the best way to protect yourself regardless of your age, he added.

“Certainly the populations they singled out are high risk, [but] I think it’s important to remind people that there are a lot of health conditions that may make people high risk,” Long said.