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Where Are We Now With COVID-19?

By: FALANA CARTER, M.D., CO-MEDICAL DIRECTOR
August 2023

Three years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, daily information about the disease has receded from public view. Infection rates and deaths are down, emergency measures have ended, and people’s lives have returned to some level of normalcy.

Does that mean COVID-19 is gone?

No, daily infections still occur but the disease has changed since 2020. Mutations of the virus combined with effective vaccinations and natural immunity have reduced the illness burden and death rates.

Like many viruses, COVID-19 continues to mutate and create new strains. In the future, emerging strains could remain relatively mild or cause a serious illness. Currently, the medical community is tracking the variances and learning more about the complexity of the virus, but no clear end of infections is known.

COVID-19 has changed from a pandemic that spreads quickly and endangers large populations in a country or the world to an endemic condition. This means COVID continues to circulate within an area or community. Today, COVID -19 is currently circulating at lower levels, following the pathway to potentially become a seasonal infection flaring more in the fall and winter.

COVID-19 is still a threat

It’s important to remember that though the pandemic has receded, people still get infected with COVID-19, and 50-100 people are dying daily in the US. Those with underlying health conditions – such as obesity, diabetes, asthma or chronic lung disease, sickle cell disease or decreased immunity, and those over 65 years old — can have serious complications and become dangerously ill if infected. We should all be mindful that interactions with those who have high risk for serious complications should be limited if you have any respiratory symptoms.

As many as 16 million Americans are affected by Long COVID. Those patients with Long COVID continue to experience symptoms long after the infection ends, such as fatigue, shortness of breath, cough, headache, and difficulty thinking or concentrating. Researchers continue to explore the underlying cause of Long COVID, but we do know those who are not vaccinated have higher risk for lingering symptoms.

Where we go from here

In just three years, SARS-CoV-2 started as a limited virus overseas and developed into a major respiratory illness that affected the entire world. Increased knowledge of COVID-19 has allowed medical technology to develop various treatments that include: effective vaccines, oral medications and IV infusions that decrease serious complications. As a result of increased community immunity, treatment options and less potent mutations, COVID-19 is no longer a daily hurdle. It’s clear that COVID-19 isn’t going to disappear, so everyone needs to remain vigilant with risk management. Keep current on COVID vaccinations to new variants, continue to follow the news about the virus, and look out for others who are at high risk.

 

Falana Carter, M.D.

Dr. Falana Carter is Co-Medical Director of Maryland Primary Care Physicians. She is certified by the American Board of Family Physicians and cares for patients in the Arundel Mills office.

 

COVID-19 Update: How It Affects You

By: MEDICAL DIRECTORS FALANA CARTER, MD and JERRY I. LEVINE, MD, PA

COVID-19 continues to spread in Maryland. Individuals who remain unvaccinated are at the greatest risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19 including highly contagious variants resulting in hospitalization and death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s latest guidance recommends booster vaccines for adults over 65, those with high-risk medical conditions, and individuals at risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission due their occupation or institutional settings. The Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine has been approved for a booster after two months. The Pfizer vaccine is available for children 12 and older, and soon will be approved for children 5 years and older. Here’s how the latest COVID-19 news affects you.

The Delta variant

Like many other viruses, the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) continually changes, producing new strains with features different from the original virus. The Delta variant is the most common form of the virus in the U.S. today and is very dangerous, causing most new COVID-19 infections. Here’s what you should know:

  • The Delta variant is significantly more contagious than previous variants, infecting many more people.
  • The Delta variant appears to cause more severe illness in unvaccinated people than previous variants, leading to more hospitalizations and deaths.
  • COVID-19 vaccines are very effective in preventing Delta infections, and the vast majority of new hospitalizations and deaths are in unvaccinated people.
  • Fully vaccinated people can get “breakthrough” Delta infections, but they are rare and are generally less severe than in unvaccinated people.
  • Fully vaccinated people with Delta breakthrough infections can spread the virus to others, but vaccinated people appear to be contagious for a shorter period of time.

Booster shots

COVID-19 vaccines remain highly effective against the virus months after vaccination, but their effectiveness will decrease over time.  The effectiveness of the vaccine is enhanced by getting a booster shot. Based on CDC recommendations, these groups are eligible for booster vaccines:

  • Adults 65 or older who received two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine at least six months ago
  • Adults 18-64 with underlying high-risk medical conditions
  • Adults 18-64 who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission due to their work or institutional settings
  • All adults 18 or older who received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine at least two months ago

Also, individuals with compromised immune systems are eligible for a third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine at least 28 days after the first two doses.

Boosters may be “mixed and matched,” heterologous dosing. While preference remains to obtain the same booster as the primary vaccine, either Moderna or Pfizer can be received as a booster for the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine. This can be discussed with your primary care provider.

MPCP administers the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccines in our offices, and many of our offices will also offer the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine starting November 1.

Call your MPCP office to schedule an appointment to receive a booster dose. Vaccines are also available at your local pharmacy or health department clinic.

COVID vaccines for children

The CDC is recommending COVID-19 vaccination for children 12+. Here’s the latest:

  • Fewer children have been infected with COVID-19 than adults, but they can still get sick from the virus and spread it to others.
  • CDC recommends everyone 12 years and older should get a vaccination to protect them and help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
  • The two-dose Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has been shown to be safe and effective for children 12+. As with adults, serious side effects from the vaccine are rare in children, and the benefits of vaccination greatly outweigh the potential risks.

If you have questions about COVID-19 or the vaccine, contact your MPCP doctor or visit Maryland’s covidLINK website.

Dr. Levine is an MPCP partner and is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. He serves as MPCP’s Medical Director and Vice President, and sees patients in the Columbia office.

Dr. Carter is an MPCP partner and is certified by the American Board of Family Physicians. She serves as Assistant Medical Director and sees patients in the Arundel Mills office.

What the New CDC COVID-19 Guidelines Mean to You

By: FALANA CARTER, M.D.

With growing numbers of people getting COVID-19 vaccines, the CDC has released new guidelines to keep us safe as we leave our homes and return to public life. The guidelines include recommendations for both those who are vaccinated and those who aren’t.

If you are fully vaccinated, you can resume some of the activities you did prior to the pandemic

You are considered fully vaccinated 1) two weeks after the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine or 2) two weeks after the single-dose Johnson & Johnson’s Jansen vaccine.

  • You can resume activities without wearing a mask or staying six feet apart, except where required by local governments or businesses. Maryland’s mask order — which required face coverings indoors at schools, day care centers, medical settings and on mass transit — ended July 1. However, a federal order requiring masks on planes, subways, buses and other mass transit remains in effect, and local governments can set their own rules. Also, as we informed patients in a recent email, MPCP is following CDC and OSHA guidelines that healthcare staff should continue to wear masks and personal protective equipment, and people visiting our offices should continue to wear masks.
  • If you travel in the United States, you do not need to get tested or self-quarantine after travel.
  • The COVID-19 situation varies greatly around the world, so check international conditions if you plan to travel abroad.
  • If you’ve been around someone who has COVID-19, you do not need to stay away from others or get tested unless you have symptoms.
  • If you have a health condition or are taking medications that weaken your immune system, talk to your MPCP provider about your activities.

If you are not fully vaccinated, continue to take all precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19

About 25% of Marylanders have not gotten any of the vaccine (as of July 15), which means the virus still has plenty of opportunity to spread. If you aren’t fully vaccinated:

  • Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth.
  • Stay six feet apart from others who don’t live with you.
  • Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated indoor spaces.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer.
  • Get vaccinated as soon as possible.

With the arrival of new types of the coronavirus, and the possibility that infections will again spike in the fall, it is more important than ever to get vaccinated. Call your MPCP office today to schedule your vaccination.

Falana Carter, M.D.Dr. Carter is an MPCP partner and received her medical degree from the University of South Florida College of Medicine. She is certified by the American Board of Family Physicians and provides patient care in the Arundel Mills office.