(WWJ) - We may be done with COVID-19, but the disease and its subvariants aren't done with us: that's the warning many health experts across the country and in Metro Detroit are issuing ahead of an increase of cases nationwide.
Dr. Dennis Cunningham, the System Medical Director of Infection Control and Prevention for Henry Ford Health spoke with WWJ Newsradio 950 health report Dr. Deanna Lites about the latest rise in COVID cases and what it means to Michiganders.
Cunningham said the Henry Ford Health lab is detecting more COVID infections with roughly 17% of tests returning positive. While positive cases are mostly being treated as out-patients, Cunningham warns the emergency departments are starting to get busy with COVID infections
“If this rate keeps up, we’ll be back in a surge just like the last one,” Dr. Cunningham said.
The BA.2 strain is still prominent in the U.S., but there is also the subvariant BA2.121 that has been causes issues most recently seen in New York, Cunningham added.
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Infected people are reporting symptoms such as shortness of breath, difficulties breathing, cough and fatigue.
Cunningham said most people are able to stay out of the hospital, but those with at-risk factors such as diabetes, obesity, chronic heart, liver or lung disease, or cancer should take necessary precautions to stay out of the emergency room.
Cunningham said the CDC estimates around 30% of COVID across the county are caused by the BA.2 strain. New variants such as BA.4 and BA.5 are causing surges in South Africa with only a few dozen cases detected in U.S.
Cunningham warns the new variants could cause big issues for Michiganders.
“With BA.4 and 5, we don’t know if vaccination will protect you or if even having previous COVID infections will give you any protection," Cunningham said, "so that’s really the wild part right now.”
Cunningham said the government has been sounding warning bells for a possible surge of 100 million people, but the "truth is nobody knows."
Cunningham said the best protection against COVID and its variants is to mask up in public spaces and stay on top of your COVID vaccine and needed boosters.
"Once you get the COVID vaccine, you start losing protection four to six months later," Cunningham said. "That's why the booster is so important to keep your protective antibody levels up. People who were vaccinated more than six months ago and certainly more than a year ago, it's extremely important to get your booster."
With graduation ceremonies and other outdoor events gearing up for summer, Cunningham said being outside with more room is certainly safer, but Michiganders should consider masking up when in crowded indoor spaces.
To learn more about COVID within the state of Michigan, visit Michigan.gov/coronavirus.
Nationwide information about COVID can be accessed through the CDC.
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