As cases of COVID-19 spread through South Asia, the United States persists in reporting hundreds of weekly virus-related deaths. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that COVID-19 resulted in a weekly average of 350 deaths during last month, generating concern about vulnerable populations.
Dr. Tony Moody, a professor in Duke University Medical Center’s division of infectious diseases, described the situation in a statement to ABC News. “The fact that we’re still having deaths just means it’s still around, and people are still getting it,” he said, attributing the situation to the continued existence of the virus.
New Variant Spotted in US Airports, NB.1.8.1 variant reaches through global travelers. CDC officials have reported the detection of a new COVID-19 variant—NB.1.8.1—at US airports. The variant has been linked to a steep spike in infections in China. As part of its airport screening program, the CDC found the variant in travelers who entered Washington state, California, Virginia, and the New York City region, CBS News reported.
Origin of the Variant and Spread Across States
Cases associated with several countries and US states
Most cases of the NB.1.8.1 variant are attributed to individuals traveling from countries such as China, Japan, South Korea, France, among others, based on information from the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID). These cases were confirmed between April 22 and May 12.
Apart from cases found at airports, CBS News also covered the occurrence of the NB.1.8.1 variant in various US states such as Ohio, Rhode Island, and Hawaii. These cases seem to be unrelated to cases reported through airport checks.
Progress Made but Risk Remains
Deaths Have Decreased but Not Eradicated
Although 350 weekly deaths is a big number, the CDC was quick to observe that it is down from the past months. To put this into perspective, the record weekly death count was 25,974 for the week that ended January 9, 2021. Though there has been considerable improvement in the last few years, the disease still has a threat, especially to members of high-risk categories.
Reasons for Continuing Death Toll
Experts cite a number of reasons behind the continuing deaths. These include waning immunity, reduced access to treatment, and low or stagnant vaccination levels. These could be among the reasons why the virus is still claiming lives in America even while its threat appears to be receding around the world.
