With holiday festivities right around the corner, it’s important for everyone to have the information they need to protect themselves and their families.
Unfortunately in the last 14 days, the United States has seen a 40% jump in new cases according to data tracked by The New York Times. These numbers are even more concerning considering the high use rates of at-home tests that consumers do not record with their local health departments.
As we head into a weekend full of traveling, gathering, and being in close contact with crowds, the world must be aware of the risks.
As of May 24th, 2022, the nation’s 7-day average of new cases was 108,082, and forecasts from The Mayo Clinic show those case numbers will see an even greater jump within the coming days.
As cases rise, so do hospitalizations, which are up 30%. Due to the highly contagious nature of the Omicron variant, the virus is beginning to spread faster than we’ve seen in previous waves. With mask mandates removed and travel restrictions lifted we have a recipe for even further unprecedented spread of omicron subvariants BA.2 and BA.2.12.1.
For more personalized numbers based on where you live or where you intend to travel for Memorial Day, take a look at this forecast map from The Mayo Clinic.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/coronavirus-covid-19/map
Whatever your plans are follow the following guidelines to keep you and your family safe:
- Wear a mask
- Maintain social distancing
- Wash your hands frequently
- Clean and disinfect surfaces
Another great tip is to choose outdoor activities whenever possible, for example, if a restaurant has outdoor seating, or choosing hiking over shopping. Not only is it great to get the exercise and vitamin D but it poses a lower risk of contracting the virus.
Have fun, stay safe, and we wish you a healthy holiday.
For more information:
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/us/covid-cases.html
