Introduction
As the world continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, many are wondering when the next wave of the virus may come. While it is impossible to predict the future, experts have been able to provide some insight into when the next wave may arrive. In this article, we will explore the latest research and predictions from experts on when the next wave of COVID-19 may come. We will also discuss the importance of continuing to practice safe health habits, such as eating healthy and avoiding contact with others, to help prevent the spread of the virus.
Here’s When the Next COVID Wave May Come, Experts Say — Eat This Not That
As the world continues to grapple with the novel coronavirus pandemic, experts are predicting when the next wave of the virus may come. While the exact timing is uncertain, experts agree that the next wave is likely to come sooner rather than later.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, has warned that the U.S. could see a “surge upon a surge” of COVID-19 cases in the fall and winter. He has urged Americans to take the necessary precautions to prevent the spread of the virus, such as wearing masks, social distancing, and avoiding large gatherings.
Other experts have echoed Fauci’s warnings, noting that the virus is likely to spread more quickly in colder weather. Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, has said that the virus is likely to spread more quickly in the winter months due to people spending more time indoors and in close contact with one another.
To help prevent the spread of the virus, experts recommend eating a healthy diet and avoiding processed foods. Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables can help boost the immune system and reduce the risk of infection. Additionally, avoiding processed foods and sugary drinks can help reduce inflammation, which can make the body more susceptible to infection.
While the exact timing of the next wave of the virus is uncertain, experts agree that it is important to take the necessary precautions to prevent the spread of the virus. Eating a healthy diet and avoiding processed foods can help boost the immune system and reduce the risk of infection.
Nationwide, COVID cases have declined precipitously from their huge peaks driven by the Omicron variant in January. Today, average new daily cases hover around 39,000, compared to more than 420,000 two months ago. But, experts warn, we’ve been here before—previous COVID spikes have faded, only to shoot back up when a new variant reached our shores. Also driving experts’ concern: Several areas of Europe are experiencing surges caused by the highly contagious Omicron subvariant BA.2, and wastewater analyses show that COVID is starting to tick up again in certain areas of the US. Here’s when the next COVID wave may come, according to experts. Read on to find out more—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
According to CDC data, the Omicron subvariant BA.2 accounts for about 23% of cases in the U.S., up from 7% two weeks ago. In other areas of the world, like Europe and Hong Kong, BA.2 is causing a huge spike in caseloads—cases in the UK have more than doubled in the last two weeks. But it’s unclear to experts how quickly the virus may spread in the U.S. (A wave might be “imminent,” experts told the New York Times, while saying it’s more of a case for caution than alarm, as BA.2 does not seem to cause more severe illness).
“Europe has been an important sign of what we can expect in the U.S.,” John Brownstein, an epidemiologist at Boston Children’s Hospital, told ABC News on Thursday. “Rising infections, an increase in variant prevalence and a slow booster rollout is likely a sign of a surge. Whether it will be another wave or small bump, we don’t know yet.”
One potentially relevant variable: Vaccination rates. In the U.S., only about 65.3 of the population is fully vaccinated, and only half that number have received a booster shot. The UK and Germany have significantly higher vaccination and booster rates, yet they’re still reporting spikes. “Any place you have relatively lower vaccination rates, especially among the elderly, is where you’re going to see a bump in hospitalizations and deaths from this,” Céline Gounder, an infectious-diseases physician, told The Washington Post this week.
RELATED: Here’s What Lupus Feels Like, Say Physicians
“What we see happening in the UK is going to be perhaps a better story than we should be expecting here,” Keri Althoff, an epidemiologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, told CNN. Experts told the news network the US may have “a few critical weeks to prepare,” and senior citizens—who are most likely to be seriously affected and end up in the hospital—should get vaccinations and booster shots.
“Every additional layer of protection that we get helps, and so I would highly recommend, especially somebody who’s elderly who has yet gotten vaccinated to do so, because it really can go a long way towards giving you the durable and robust immunity that you want,” Stephen Kissler, an infectious-disease modeling specialist at Harvard, told CNN. “This is definitely the time.”
RELATED: Omicron Symptoms Physicians Are Worried About Now
This week, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious-disease expert, said he expects caseloads to increase within the next month. “I would expect that we might see an uptick in cases here in the United States because, only a week or so ago, the CDC came out with their modification of the metrics for what would be recommended for masking indoors, and much of the country right now is in that zone, where masking indoors is not required,” Fauci told KGTV on Wednesday.
RELATED: I’m a Doctor and This is the #1 Sign You Have High Blood Sugar
Another possible outcome: BA.2 might not cause another wave. It seems to be spreading more slowly here than in Europe, and experts aren’t sure why. That’s what Debbie Dowell, chief medical officer for the CDC’s COVID-19 response, said in a briefing for doctors on Saturday. “The speculation I’ve seen is that it may extend the curve going down, case rates from Omicron, but is unlikely to cause another surge that we saw initially with Omicron,” she said. One reason might be that so many people were infected with the initial Omicron variant (BA.1). But experts still don’t fully know whether infection with BA.1 protects you from BA.2.
RELATED: Reasons Most People Gain “Too Much” Abdominal Fat
Follow the fundamentals and help end this pandemic, no matter where you live—get vaccinated ASAP; if you live in an area with low vaccination rates, wear an N95 face mask, don’t travel, social distance, avoid large crowds, don’t go indoors with people you’re not sheltering with (especially in bars), practice good hand hygiene, and to protect your life and the lives of others, don’t visit any of these 35 Places You’re Most Likely to Catch COVID.