Good news on COVID
Afew weeks ago, several worrisome new COVID variants capable of evading immunity had landed in the United States. The variants are still coming, but as their share of total infections has grown, hospitalizations remain relatively stable. This suggests the new variants are not causing more serious illness.
Nationwide, the BA.5 variant prevalent in recent months now causes less than one-third of total infections, according to the CDC. In its place is a “soup” of new variants, some of which contain mutations that in laboratory experiments proved far more evasive of antibodies than earlier variants. The Food and Drug Administration warned that some new variants might not be neutralized by the monoclonal antibody Evusheld, an important therapy for the immunocompromised.
But as one expert has pointed out, the most common “highly immune evasive” variant has not produced a significant wave of new cases. This could signal the pandemic has reached the phase in which infections still spread, but do not claim such an enormous toll as did the omicron and delta waves.
One reason could be that new variants have simply evolved to cause less severe illness. Another explanation is the population has finally erected an immunity wall to keep the virus at bay, the cumulative result of natural infection, vaccination and other treatments. More studies are necessary, and any tentative conclusions could be overturned if a nasty new variant appears.
For that reason, it is unwise to let down our guard. An intense season of respiratory ailments has begun early this year with surging influenza infections and the respiratory virus RSV, leading to intense pressure on hospitals, especially pediatric facilities. Wearing masks is vital in public places and anywhere with poor ventilation.
It is still a good idea to get boosted. The uptake of the new bivalent vaccine booster is alarmingly low: Only 10.1 percent of the eligible U.S. population, and only 26.9 percent of the vulnerable public over 65 years old. Testing is also important as a way to keep one step ahead of the virus and protect others.
The roller coaster of the pandemic has taught a simple lesson: Always be ready for the unexpected. While it would be wonderful to discover the novel coronavirus is becoming less of a threat, we must stay vigilant.