The United States has reached the peak of the delta version of COVID-19, while waiting for the virus to become endemic

latest wave of coronavirus in America, operated by delta version, may soon reach its peak, although experts warn not to claim victory and speculate that virus It will become a part of everyday life for years to come.

As of Monday, the seven-day average for daily cases stood at 172,000, according to data compiled by the tracking tool, its highest level of growth despite slowing growth and declining cases in most states. covid act now.

However, more than 1,800 people are dying every day and more than 100,000 remain. hospitalized for COVID-19 It serves as a stark reminder of the challenges officials face in getting more and more Americans vaccinated in an environment of propaganda and political polarization.

Bhakti Hansoti, Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine John Hopkins University and specialist in intensive care COVID-19, he told AFP he saw America follow the same path as India.

countries of Europe Western countries have also experienced similar drops in their delta waves.

And although Hansoti breathes a sigh of relief when the spring wave ends, she admits she’s “a little undecided” this time around.

possible appearance of new Variants Anxiety and the arrival of cold weather, which causes more indoor socializing, can trigger a rebound. “Until we learn from the lessons of the fourth wave,” he warns.

Angela Rasmussen, virologist From the University of Saskatchewan in Canada, he wasn’t sure the fourth wave was over.

“If you look at the fall-winter wave, there was a period of strong exponential growth and then it looked like it was falling, and then it started rising again.”

To ensure that progress continues, it is important to rapidly increase the number of vaccinated people. Currently, 63.1% of the eligible population over the age of 12 is fully immunized, 54% of the total population.

this place America far behind world leaders Portugal And United Arab Emirates (where 81 and 79% respectively are fully vaccinated), despite the fact that vaccines are abundant on American soil.

presidential administration Joe Biden Last week announced a series of new measures to accelerate vaccination campaigns, including vaccination requirements for companies with more than 100 employees. However, its effect has not been clearly seen yet.

two united states

beyond VaccinesExperts want to see other measures implemented.

Thomas Tsai, surgeon and health policy researcher Harvardinsist on the use of masks and that America Follow the example of other countries that have adopted widespread rapid testing for schools and businesses.

These tests are available for free or at a very low cost Germanyhandjob Britain And Canada, when in America Despite management’s best efforts, they cost around $25 for a pack of two Biden To reduce costs through agreements with retailers.

Of course, the effectiveness of all measures depends on their adoption, and in that sense a clear pattern has emerged that reflects the two America: Liberal leaning regions are much more compliant than conservative ones.

before be delta, some experts declared that, between the percentage of people vaccinated and those already gaining immunity when infected, the country was close to herd immunity.

Rasmussen said those predictions turned out to be wrong and it was too early to say when that limit would be reached.

“There are still places in the country where the rate of Vaccination The number of adults is less than 50 per cent,” he said.

to endemic

Although the Delta has competed with all previous variants and is currently the dominant one, SARS-COV-2 It is evolving rapidly, and virologists fear that more dangerous forms may emerge.

Rasmussen admitted, “I don’t want to be unlucky, but I also want some humility, because I don’t think we know much about the basic function of many of these mutations.”

Still, experts hope vaccines will continue to ease the world’s worst virus For most people, and they are expected to be licensed in children under 12 in the coming months.

Certain populations, such as the elderly and those with weakened immune systems, require boosters and higher rates. Vaccination to protect them in their communities.

Instead of elimination, the goal is reoriented to domestication. virus for the people Vaccinationso that in rare cases of outbreak Disease Looks more like the flu.

However, uncertainty remains: for example, people who are infected may still have a long-lived covid.

Greg Poland, an infectious disease specialist at the Mayo Clinic, predicted that humanity would deal with it. covid “Beyond the life expectancy of several generations.”

“We are still immunizing ourselves against aspects of virus From Influenza From 1918,” he recalled.

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