US faces ongoing COVID-19 threat as new variants emerge and deaths persist

As COVID-19 cases surge across South Asia, the United States continues to experience hundreds of weekly deaths, with the virus remaining a serious threat to vulnerable populations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported an average of 350 COVID-related deaths per week last month.

Dr. Tony Moody, a Duke University Medical Center infectious diseases expert, told ABC News, “The fact that we’re still seeing deaths means the virus is still spreading and people continue to get infected.”

The CDC has detected several cases of a new COVID-19 variant, NB.1.8.1, linked to a recent spike in infections in China. This variant has been identified through airport screening of international travelers arriving in Washington, California, New York City, and Virginia, CBS News reported.

Data from the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) shows many cases originated from travelers from countries including Japan, South Korea, France, and China. Between April 22 and May 12, additional cases of NB.1.8.1 were found in states such as Ohio, Rhode Island, and Hawaii, separate from airport detections.

Though weekly death rates remain high, they are declining compared to past peaks, such as the nearly 26,000 deaths in January 2021. While progress has been made, high-risk groups still face significant danger.

Experts attribute ongoing fatalities to factors like low vaccination coverage, waning immunity, and limited access to treatments, highlighting the continued urgency of combating COVID-19.

#COVID19Update #NewVariant #PublicHealth #VaccinationMatters