COVID-19 infections are rising again in the US, with case numbers likely climbing in 39 states, according to the latest data from health authorities.
Using emergency department visits, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) forecasts viral transmission when summer temperatures rise and millions travel for vacations and family gatherings. According to US News & World Report, in the preceding week, COVID-19 mortality and emergency visits increased, while hospitalizations rose 25% from May 26 to June 1.
Dr. Thomas Russo, University of Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences infectious diseases chief, believes that the COVID "summer wave" is about to begin.
According to Dr. Dan Barouch, head of the Center for Virology and Vaccine Research at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, different novel COVID-19 variants are contributing to the situation. JN.1 dominated this winter, and KP.2, KP.3, and LB.1 are descendants. KP.2 dominated last month, followed by KP.3 in early June. According to CDC data, these variations and KP.1.1 account for 63% of US COVID-19 infections. The other 17.5% is LB.1, predicted to dominate soon.
Recent Surge of Infections Driven by Stronger COVID Variants
Barouch said there is little understanding about LB.1, adding that its rapid development means it is more contagious and may be better at resisting vaccinations or past infections. Preprint research reveals that LB.1 is more immune-invasive and infectious than KP.2 and KP.3.
An unreviewed preprint this month implies that the LB.1 mutation is more infectious than the "FLiRT" variants and may be better at evading vaccinations and past infections, as reported by NBC News.
The CDC does not track COVID-19 symptoms over time, making it difficult to tell if new variations produce different symptoms. However, COVID-19 symptoms have persisted for two years.
As people stay home to escape the heat and celebrate the Fourth of July, experts expect cases to climb. Dr. Russo advised vulnerable people and large gathering attendees to receive the newest COVID-19 immunization.
Religious Faith Linked to Better Coping, Resiliency During COVID-19 Pandemic
In a separate but related news, the University of Cambridge found that religious people in the UK and US were happier and less stressed during the COVID-19 lockdowns.
Previous studies found that strong religious beliefs and practices, including online services, improved mental health throughout the pandemic, with stronger religiosity correlated with emotional resilience.
The recent study, reported by SciTechDaily, looked at the early 2021 US population, suggesting that religion may protect against anxiety and negative well-being during crises like global public health emergencies, according to Cambridge economists.
Cambridge Land Economics Prof. Shaun Larcom stated that the study was an opportunity to study "if religion helped certain individuals cope with crises."
Larcom and his colleagues compared survey data from 3,884 UK residents during the first two national lockdowns to pre-pandemic data. Lockdowns caused a uniform rise in misery, while religious people were 29% less sad.
More religious people were half as unhappy as those who were less religious, according to the latest study. Religious people were 20% less likely to develop depression than non-religious people, even after adjusting for age and gender.
A previous US study examined COVID-19 infections and mental health using online surveys. Nearly half of individuals who reported a COVID-19 infection had a fall in well-being, with the non-religious declining 60% more than those of religion.
Locations with the strongest lockdowns did not identify religious benefits, indicating the critical importance of access to places of worship. Researchers linked an increase in online religious services to a 40% reduction in the mental health impact of COVID-19.
Cambridge Faculty of Economics Prof. Sriya Iyer remarked that some individuals may employ religion as "psychological resources" that can boost coping skills and self-esteem, "combined with practices that provide social support."
Lacorn noted that researches show a link between religion a lower misery during a global crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic. He highlighted the importance of "religious faith" in building resilience by providing "hope, consolation, and meaning."
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