Covid-19 Is Coming In A New Wave. Here’s How To Prepare

Covid-19’s next wave is on the horizon, and it’s already in some areas of the United States. Are you ready?

BA.2, which is a subvariant to the Omicron variant, is responsible for this outbreak. It is unknown how severe it will cause but BA.2 has caused a spike in cases in Europe and is the predominant version of the coronavirus across the globe.

Researchers are tracking an uptick in Covid cases in the United States, and they’ve detected a rise in the viral particles recovered from nearly 150 wastewater-surveillance sites. People can get the coronavirus, even though they don’t experience symptoms. Because pieces of the virus can be found in wastewater, it can provide advance warning, several days before official cases rise. Bronwyn MacInnis is the director of pathogen genomic surveillance at The Broad Institute in Cambridge, Mass. Dr. MacInnis’s laboratory has witnessed a rapid rise in Northeast levels of the BA.2 subvariant over the past two weeks.

Be aware of Covid indicators in the community

Do not wait for the public health officials to issue warnings. You should keep an eye on Covid-19 statistics in your area or county. Check the color-coded mapfrom Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to see the levels of Covid-19 in your area. This map is generally a welcoming green, which indicates that there are low rates of hospital admissions and new cases. There are a few yellow spots in Texas, the Northeast, and other areas that show medium risk. In Montana, the Dakotas, and other states, there are orange hot spots. This indicates high rates of community spread.

You should be aware that the map will change to orange and yellow in your locality, and you need to wear masks in public places. Also, think twice about attending large indoor events where you don’t know the status of other attendees.

Your community’s positive test rates are another useful indicator. Experts recommend taking extra precautions if positive test rates rise above 5 percent. The Johns Hopkins coronavirus resource centre shows daily U.S. testing trends and state-by-state test trends

Keep high-quality masks in your possession

Even if you don’t have a mask on right now, make sure to check your supply of masks and ensure you have enough high-quality, medical-style masks. There are limited numbers of N95 respirator masks that can be obtained at community centers and pharmacies for free. To locate a distributor near you, enter your ZIP code in the C.D.C. mask locator. Use our guide to locate a trusted source of N95, KN95, or KF94 masks. Avoid counterfeits.

Get your Covid test results home sooner than you think!

Every household in the United States is entitled to two sets of four home Covid test free of charge. Order them now before it gets warm. You don’t want them sitting in a hot mail truck for hours. Heat can cause damage to the tests.

“Now is better than a year from now, especially for those in hot areas,” Dr. Michael Mina said. He is chief science officer at eMed, a company which verifies home test results. You can take advantage of the program and get them. Then, keep them in your pantry for when you need them.

Insurance holders can get reimbursement for up to eight tests per month. You should get a test done if you have symptoms such as a fever, respiratory problems, or feel unusually tired. If your symptoms do not improve or you have persistent symptoms, you should get a lab-based test for PCR to confirm.

If you are eligible, get a booster

Federal regulators have approved a second booster shot to be administered to anyone 50 years old and over. A second booster was also approved by the agency for individuals 12 years and older who have certain immune deficiencies.

Although scientists still debate the benefits of another booster shot, many experts believe that those 65 years and older as well as the immunocompromised will benefit. Experts agree that you should now get your first booster shot if you haven’t already. You have probably had Covid recently, so you should get as much natural protection from it as you would get from a booster shot.

A pulse oximeter is a device that measures the pulse rate.

A pulse-oximeter, which clips to your finger, measures your blood oxygen levels. Patients should consult a doctor if their levels fall below 92. Low oxygen levels can indicate Covid pneumonia, which could increase your chances of developing serious complications from Covid-19. For people with darker skin the devices may not be as reliable. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to both downward and upward trends.