Why 350 Americans died from COVID in a week: Experts explain
Coronavirus is still claiming the lives of hundreds of Americans each week. According to official data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 350 Americans, mostly from high-risk groups, died from COVID-19 last week. Though this number is a significant drop from the peak of 25,974 reported in the week ending Jan 9, 2021, the concern remains. Health officials are also monitoring a newly identified subvariant, NB.1.8.1.
"The fact that we're still seeing deaths just means it's still circulating, and people are still catching it," Dr. Tony Moody, a professor in the Department of Pediatrics in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Duke University Medical Center, told ABC News.
Medical experts have suggested a pool of factors that could be blamed for this recent spike in cases and deaths that have been reported as a result of the disease.
According to data released by the CDC, only 23% of adults aged 18 and older received the updated COVID-19 vaccine as of the week ending April 24 in the 2024-25 season. In addition, only 13% of children received the updated vaccine over the same period. This has led experts like Dr. Gregory Poland, a vaccinologist and president and co-director of the Atria Research Institute, to blame low intake of the vaccine as a prime cause of the spike in the number of COVID-related deaths being reported.
Even after taking the vaccine shot, the immune system may fail to develop an appropriate response mechanism. This results in immunity gradually fading over time, increasing the chances of infection.
Age may also be a contributing factor to developing a severe infection. As Dr Poland told ABC News, 'Another reason for death due to COVID is being elderly, being what we call immunosenescent, where you do not have the immunologic ability to respond the same way you did in your 30s and 40s. On top of it, if you do get infected by the time you're in your 70s, 80s, there is some … accumulating co-morbidity."
Hence, those in the age bracket of 65 and above are advised to take two shots of the updated vaccine six months apart from each other.
Another reason for the spike has been blamed on ill-timed treatment measures to counter the disease on patients' end. Doctors fear that many people may avoid seeking treatment until their symptoms become severe which prevents them from detecting the disease in its early stages.
Antiviral pills, including molnupiravir from Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics and Paxlovid from Pfizer, are currently available at pharmacies to help provide suitable treatment for COVID-19. Doses of each of these medications can be started five days from when symptoms first surface. The intake demands four pills of Merck and five pills of Pfizer to be taken twice on a daily basis. Remedesvir is an intravenous medication that can be started seven days after symptoms appear.
"I do think that we don't necessarily make use of the tools that we have on hand in the best way possible," Dr Moody told ABC News. 'I've certainly talked to people who have gotten medications when they got COVID and they made a huge difference. … The trials' data would definitely suggest that the drugs are effective.'
People at high risk of catching the disease are advised to get themselves tested regularly to aid early detection and improvement of any existing infection.
The surge in the NB.1.8.1 variant has reported several cases in Asia, Singapore, and Hong Kong ever since its discovery in China.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
30 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Doctors urge mask use as amid spike in Covid-19 cases
Mumbai: As Maharashtra reports a sharp spike in Covid-19 cases, health experts are urging people to start using face masks again in high-risk settings. Though most current infections are clinically mild, senior citizens and those with pre-existing ailments remain vulnerable, and three-layer or N95 masks can be life-saving in such contexts, say doctors. According to data from the state health department, confirmed Covid-19 cases climbed from 106 on May 20 and to 959 on June 3. On June 3 alone, Maharashtra reported 86 new cases, including 26 from Mumbai. Dr Vimal Pahuja, consultant physician (internal medicine) at Dr LH Hiranandani Hospital in Powai, emphasised the continued need for personal protection. 'We're seeing more incidental Covid-19 cases with mild symptoms like low-grade fever or throat irritation, but high-risk individuals—those with diabetes, cardiac illness, or asthma—should not take chances,' he said. 'Wearing a mask in closed or poorly ventilated areas, including lifts, hospitals, clinics, and on public transport, is a low-effort, high-impact intervention. It's not about fear, it's about smart protection.' Dr Gautam Bhansali, senior consultant physician at Bombay Hospital, also stressed on the critical role of masks. 'We're recording 2–3 Covid-19 cases a day, with many testing positive during admission for unrelated procedures. Most don't need hospitalisation, but vulnerable people do fall sick more seriously,' Dr Bhansali said. 'A simple three-layer or N95 mask can significantly reduce transmission – especially in high-density places like OPDs, crowded clinics, or homes where elderly or immunocompromised people live, masks can be life-saving.' Though most current infections are clinically mild, Maharashtra has reported 14 Covid-related deaths since January. Medical records show they all involved comorbid patients with underlying conditions like interstitial lung disease, diabetic ketoacidosis, cerebrovascular events, and severe respiratory problems with cardiac complications. Mumbai remains the epicentre, accounting for 510 of the 959 cases reported from across the state between May 20 and June 3. Experts warn that the ongoing monsoon may lead to an uptick in respiratory infections and diagnostic confusion with illnesses like influenza or dengue. Maharashtra minister Ashish Shelar recently chaired a review meeting to assess the Covid-19 situation in Mumbai and review the city's healthcare preparedness and response mechanisms. An official who attended the meeting said the minister stressed on the importance of preventive measures for vulnerable groups, saying that those with diabetes, hypertension and other comorbidities must resume wearing masks and consider re-vaccination, if eligible. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the state health department have stepped up surveillance and genome sequencing, and instructed health facilities to replenish antiviral drugs, oxygen cylinders, and PPE kits in view of the spike in cases. Meanwhile, doctors stress that basic, consistent measures like mask-wearing and early testing can prevent another wave from spiralling. 'The virus may not be as lethal now, but it still seeks the vulnerable,' Dr Bhansali said. 'Let's not give it that chance.'
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
SRN hosp to install advance machine for cancer treatment
Prayagraj: Swaroop Rani Nehru Hospital, under the Prime Minister's Health Protection Scheme (PMSSY), is set to install an HDR Brachytherapy machine for cancer treatment in the coming months. The project, initially proposed in 2016 as part of a Super Speciality Block, was temporarily shelved due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which redirected all available resources and infrastructure. According to the media in charge of SRN, Dr Santosh Kumar Singh, the medical college will soon procure the machine because the most crucial component—an underground shielded bunker required for its installation—has not been constructed. The layout is now ready, and work on the radiation-safe bunker has been initiated following communication with the state govt. Detailing what Brachytherapy is, Dr Singh said, "Brachytherapy is a highly focused type of internal radiation therapy used for cancers like cervical, prostate, breast and skin cancers. It involves placing a radioactive source directly inside or next to the tumour, thereby delivering a high dose of radiation to the cancer with minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissues." Unlike external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), brachytherapy ensures that the rest of the body is exposed to very little radiation, making it an effective and safe treatment modality. According to experts, "This form of radiation therapy is extremely useful for localised tumours, and once the machine is installed, it will benefit cancer patients across the region." Initially, in 2016, plans were approved to install this machine under PMSSY. By 2019, the Super Speciality Block was completed, but in 2020, during the peak of COVID-19, the building was repurposed into a dedicated COVID ward, postponing all other medical projects. "As of 2025, groundwork for bunker construction has restarted, and layout approvals are in place. Soon we will procure the machine, and the patients here at SRN will be able to get the state-of-the-art facility," said Dr Santosh, who is also the Associate Professor at MLN Medical College.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Pune city hospitals report rising Covid cases among staff
1 2 Pune: Hospitals in the city are seeing a steady increase in Covid-19 cases among healthcare workers, including doctors and nurses. However, medical experts confirmed that there is no immediate concern about staffing shortages. In other developments, rare complications are also being reported in some patients, such as heart failure and Covid-related encephalitis — although these remain uncommon. Dr Ameet Dravid, an infectious diseases expert at Noble Hospital, said that two of his doctor colleagues are self-isolating after testing positive for Covid. "We are testing hospital staff, and a few have been detected Covid-positive," he said. The doctor added that there was a recent case of Covid-related encephalitis in the hospital, where the virus affected a patient's brain. "The patient was, however, successfully treated and discharged. Additionally, a young female patient was admitted with heart failure linked to Covid complications, a rare occurrence. The complication rate is low, but with multiple cases now, some complications are expected," he added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo On Tuesday, Dravid said a young Covid patient was admitted with bleeding in the abdomen, another rare complication. At Poona Hospital, Dr Ajit Tambolkar, an intensivist, reported one recent Covid-positive patient with a rare complication — a small clot in the heart causing heart failure in a younger individual. "This is unusual but not unprecedented. We've seen such cases in past surges," he said. He added that around 1-2% of hospital staff are testing Covid-positive, but all cases are mild and manageable. "There's no panic, and we're maintaining strict precautions like masking and handwashing," Tambolkar said. Poona Hospital has a dedicated Covid ward with a capacity of 10 patients to handle any rise in cases. Dr Piyush Chaudhary, an infectious disease specialist at Jehangir Hospital, echoed that there was an increase in Covid-positive cases among staff. "Those in contact with patients can get infected, but it's not causing any staffing issues so far," he said. Hospitals in Pune are reinforcing protocols, including mandatory masking, handwashing, and dedicated Covid wards. Dr Vijay Natarajan, cardiac surgeon and healthcare administrator at Bharati Hospital and Research Centre, emphasized the mild nature of current cases. "We're treating Covid based on clinical condition, as it's like any other viral illness now," he said. The doctor added that rapid antigen test kits are scarce, and routine testing has decreased. "Unlike the first and second waves, there's no need to test everyone. It's a mild form with hardly any hospitalizations or deaths," Dr Natarajan said. He added that staff with viral symptoms are taking sick leave but are not routinely tested, as isolation is less critical given the mild symptoms. Dr Manish Kolge, a physician and intensivist at Rao Hospital, reported four to five mild Covid cases responding well to symptomatic treatment. "No staff have tested positive at our hospital, and people aren't as frightened as before," he said. He stressed that staff follow strict protocols, including masking, sanitization, and maintaining distance from patients.
