COVID cases are on the uptick according to a Twin Cities' doctor. But, there's good news to be had from the latest illnesses.
"I'll bet everybody knows someone who's got COVID, they've got some sniffles, they don't feel well, they feel cruddy," says Dr. David Hilden from Hennepin Healthcare. "But hopefully, it'll be a mild illness for most people. We're definitely not where we were a few years ago."
He says most are mild thanks to the latest mutation of the virus. As for getting that booster shot?
"The COVID shot should be something you do every year," says Hilden. "It is safe. There's been no vaccine in the history of the world that's been studied as much as this one, so it is safe and it will reduce your risk of getting a severe infection. And it will reduce your risk of landing in my hospital."
Hilden, speaking with WCCO's Vineeta Sawkar on the WCCO Morning News, says there is still plenty of good news.
"The cases are generally more mild than we've seen in past years, and even though we're on an uptick in cases, people should know that we're only back to where we were in about March. So it's not like we're back to 2020, people shouldn't get overly worried."
Hilden says the virus continues to mutate so it's important to track its progress. He also says if you're unsure about whether or not to get the latest COVID booster, most people should when they can.
"There are still a couple of people every day dying from this, and it could be a preventable thing," Hilden tells WCCO. "So I do encourage people to get it. It's safe, it's effective and it's out now."
Updated vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna began rolling out last month, intended for adults and children as young as age 6 months. In early October, the Food and Drug Administration added another choice –- reformulated Novavax shots open to anyone age 12 and older.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention already has urged most Americans to get a fall COVID-19 vaccination, shots tweaked to protect against a newer coronavirus strain.
One challenge when looking for a booster? Drug and staffing shortages haven’t gone away. Stores are starting their busiest time of year as customers look for help with colds and the flu. And this fall, pharmacists are dealing with a new vaccine and the start of insurance coverage for COVID-19 shots.
But experts say many pharmacies, particularly the big chains, still don’t have enough workers behind the counter. There is also the issue of pharmacist walkouts at Walgreens stores as they continue to protest working conditions.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.