THE RISK OF COVID REINFECTION THIS SUMMER. GOOD EVENING. I’M JULIE CORNELL. ROB: I’M ROB MCCARTNEY. THEY WORRY VACCINATIONS MAY NOT BE KEEPING UP WITH THE AMOUNT OF NEW VARIANTS. JULIE: KETV NEWSWATCH 7’S JOEY SAFCHIK SPOKE WITH TO DOCTORS — WITH TWO DOCTORS ABOUT WHY THAT LATEST SHOT MAY NOT OFFER AS MUCH PROTECTION AS YOU THINK. REPORTER: YOU MIGHT KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS VACCINATED AND BOOSTED, BUT STILL GOT COVID. DOCTORS SAY, THAT IS BECAUSE OUR IMMUNITY WANES, AS WE MOVE FATHER FROM OUR LAST SHOT AND AS NEW VARIANTS MOVE FARTHER AWAY FROM THE ORIGINAL STRAIN. PLUS, THEY SAY PUBLIC ATTENTION ON THE VIRUS IS WANING AS RAPIDLY AS EVER. FOR SO MANY, IT HAS BEEN MONTHS SINCE THEIR LAST COVID SHOT. >> WE ARE NOT DOING WELL CONTINUING TO KEEP PEOPLE UP TO DATE ON BOOSTING, WE ARE NOT REALLY DOING WELL GETTING CHILDREN VACCINATED. REPORTER: UNMC INFECTIOUS DISEASE EXPERT DR. JAMES LAWLER FEARS THE MONTHS AHEAD WILL BE MARRED BY MORE AND MORE VIRUS. >> IF THIS IS OUR SET POINT, GOING INTO THE FALL, THAT IS NOT A GOOD SIGN. REPORTER: AT THIS RATE, THERE ARE ABOUT 400 DEATHS A DAY IN THE U.S. THAT IS ABOUT 140,000 A YEAR. DEATHS HAVE PLATEAUED IN DOUGLAS COUNTY, BUT DOCTORS LIKE CHI’S DAVID QUIMBY ARE PREPARED FOR THE WORST. >> IF YOU HAVE MORE INFECTED PEOPLE, JUST MORE OF THEM ARE MORE LIKELY TO BECOME ILL. REPORTER: TREATMENTS ARE READILY AVAILABLE, — AVAILABLE. >> THOSE TREATMENTS SHOULD BE USED MORE WIDELY. REPORTER: BUT QUIMBY SAYS WE SHOULD STILL TREAT VACCINES AS A SAVING GRACE. >> HONESTLY, PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN TREATMENT. REPORTER: AT THE CENTER OF MEDICAL CONVERSATIONS, THE REPERCUSSIONS OF REPEAT INFECTIONS. >> RIGHT NOW, THE THE INDICATIONS ARE THAT REPEAT INFECTIONS CAN BE AS SERIOUS AND POTENTIALLY EVEN MORE SERIOUS. REPORTER: BUT BOTH DOCTORS FEAR THE PUBLIC NO LONGER TAKES THE VIRUS SERIOUSLY ENOUGH. >> I THINK WE ARE ALREADY PRETENDING IT’S NORMAL, BUT IT’S NOT. >> EVEN THOUGH IT’S NOT OVERWHELMING OUR SYSTEM, IT WOULD BE KIND OF VERY UNFORTUNATE, IF THIS IS A BASELINE. REPORTER: WE ASKED IF IT WOULD BE IRRESPONSIBLE TO RETURN TO WORK BEFORE THE CDC RECOMMENDED WAITING PERIOD, EVEN IF YOU FEEL BETTER.
‘We’re not doing properly’: Metro medical doctors warn instances, hospitalizations prone to spike within the fall
With hospitalizations on the rise and new variants within the Metro, medical doctors concern one other COVID-19 spike is imminent.
Up to date: 8:35 PM CDT Jul 6, 2022
Many Nebraskans obtained their final COVID-19 shot many months in the past. Docs concern the months forward might be marred by extra virus and fewer safety. “We’re not doing properly, persevering with to maintain individuals updated on boosting, we’re probably not doing properly getting kids vaccinated,” stated UNMC’s Dr. James Lawler, an infectious illness skilled. “If that is our set level, going into the autumn, that is not an excellent signal.”Presently, in line with Lawler, there are about 400 COVID-19-related deaths every day within the U.S. That might add as much as about 140,000 a yr. Deaths have plateaued in Douglas County, however medical doctors like CHI Well being’s David Quimby are bracing for the worst within the coming months, given the latest rise in hospitalizations. “In case you have extra contaminated individuals, simply extra of them usually tend to turn into unwell,” Quimby stated. Remedies are available, and Lawler requires them for use extra extensively. Each Metro medical doctors agree, nonetheless, that getting vaccinated needs to be the 1st step. Booster photographs will bolster your safety. “Actually, prevention is best than remedy,” Quimby stated. Within the third yr of the pandemic, the repercussions of repeat infections are on the middle of medical conversations.”Proper now, the indications are that repeat infections will be as critical and probably much more critical,” Lawler stated. But, each medical doctors concern the general public now not takes the virus significantly sufficient.”I feel we’re already pretending it is regular, however it’s not,” Lawler stated.
Many Nebraskans obtained their final COVID-19 shot many months in the past. Docs concern the months forward might be marred by extra virus and fewer safety.
“We’re not doing properly, persevering with to maintain individuals updated on boosting, we’re probably not doing properly getting kids vaccinated,” stated UNMC’s Dr. James Lawler, an infectious illness skilled. “If that is our set level, going into the autumn, that is not an excellent signal.”
Presently, in line with Lawler, there are about 400 COVID-19-related deaths every day within the U.S. That might add as much as about 140,000 a yr. Deaths have plateaued in Douglas County, however medical doctors like CHI Well being’s David Quimby are bracing for the worst within the coming months, given the latest rise in hospitalizations.
“In case you have extra contaminated individuals, simply extra of them usually tend to turn into unwell,” Quimby stated.
Remedies are available, and Lawler requires them for use extra extensively. Each Metro medical doctors agree, nonetheless, that getting vaccinated needs to be the 1st step. Booster photographs will bolster your safety.
“Actually, prevention is best than remedy,” Quimby stated.
Within the third yr of the pandemic, the repercussions of repeat infections are on the middle of medical conversations.
“Proper now, the indications are that repeat infections will be as critical and probably much more critical,” Lawler stated.
But, each medical doctors concern the general public now not takes the virus significantly sufficient.
“I feel we’re already pretending it is regular, however it’s not,” Lawler stated.
