Summer COVID update

By Madeline S. Wilson, MD, FACP | Thursday, July 25, 2024
Key takeaways:
  • Why we are experiencing a summer COVID wave
  • Guidelines for managing COVID and other respiratory infections  
  • Recommendations for protecting yourself
The current situation

We are now experiencing an expected summer COVID wave. Most of us are aware of cases in friends and family. Fortunately, it does not appear that infections are more severe, and most people recover uneventfully. Several indicators have been increasing:

  • Wastewater levels: now one of our best indicators of COVID levels in the community. Connecticut levels are currently rising faster than in the rest of the country and are categorized as “high.”
Graph of wastewater activity

Source: CDC

  • Cases: numbers are very hard to gauge, as most people are testing at home, if at all. But we have seen an uptick in cases at Yale Health over the past two weeks.
  • Hospitalizations: also trending upward at Yale New Haven Health System hospitals from a low in May. Most hospitalizations continue to impact older individuals disproportionately.
Why is this happening now? 

Several trends are coinciding, including:

  • Newer variants (called “FLiRT,” based on their genetic profile) appear to be more transmissible and are sneaking around immunity from prior vaccination and infection. They have not been associated with new symptoms or more serious infections.
  • Waning immunity: prior infection or vaccination provides a limited duration of protection, only 3-6 months. Only about 20% of Americans received the 2023-24 vaccine, and many are more than 6 months out from their last shot.
  • Summertime behavior changes: moving inside into air conditioning and traveling are both opportunities to encounter the virus.
Managing COVID infection

As a reminder, the revised CDC guidelines issued in the spring apply to ANY respiratory infection and are two-fold:

  • Stay home when sick, until your fever (if you have it) is gone for 24 hours, your symptoms are improving, and you no longer feel ill. Note that many with COVID may still be infectious at this point (see figure below). 
  • Take precautions for the next 5 days to reduce the risk of transmission to others. Wear a mask and avoid exposure to high-risk individuals or test negative with a rapid COVID test prior to visiting.
Graph of COVID infectiousness

Source: Your Local Epidemiologist 

Should you do a COVID test?

While testing is not required by the CDC’s guidance, we think it’s a good idea to know if you have COVID, especially if you have a compromised immune system or are over 65. Paxlovid continues to be recommended within five days of symptom onset if you are over the age of 50, and especially over 65 or otherwise at increased risk.

Also, a positive test is a clear indicator that you are likely infectious and should stay home if possible; if you must go out, you should mask, preferably with an N-95 or KN95.

Note that healthcare workers still must isolate for 7 days and until any fever has resolved and symptoms have improved. Rapid antigen testing should be performed on day five and again 48 hours later to confirm a negative test prior to returning to work.

Campus COVID supplies 

As our pandemic response continues to evolve toward self-management, campus-based free test distribution sites will be closing this summer. 

  • We will provide free tests to undergraduates at residential colleges during the start of the fall semester.
  • Yale Health will continue to offer subsidized rapid tests at its pharmacy at 55 Lock St.
  • Masks will continue to be available through YPPS while supplies last.

Bottom line

  • Be aware of situations where you may want to have a mask handy: at airports or crowded indoor venues, or when others are sick in your immediate environment.
  • Follow CDC guidance if you get sick, and test if possible.
  • Plan on getting a fall vaccine. The updated formulation WILL cover key FLiRT variants and should be available by September. We will update you on our campus vaccine program in future communications.
    • If you are over 65 or have a weakened immune system and have not had a vaccine in the past 4 months, you are eligible for a booster now. If you are traveling or going to a gathering you may wish to seek a booster. However, waiting until the new formulation in September is reasonable. You need to wait at least 4 months between doses.
    • Note that at Yale Health the 2023-24 formulation is out of stock. Local pharmacies may have supplies available. (Yale Health will cover COVID immunization at pharmacies, as will most other insurances. Check with your insurance provider.)

In health,

Madeline Wilson, MD
Chief Campus Health Officer