More than 300 people in the US are still dying from COVID-19 every week, despite being over five years into the pandemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that an average of about 350 deaths occurred each week last month.
Experts say low vaccine uptake and people’s lack of access to treatments are major reasons behind this ongoing issue. According to CDC data, only 23% of adults aged 18 and older received the updated COVID-19 vaccine as of April 26. Among children, just 13% of them received the updated vaccine during the same period.
Dr. Gregory Poland, a vaccinologist, believes that not enough people are receiving the vaccine, contributing to the number of weekly COVID deaths. He also notes that immunity from COVID-19 vaccines wanes over time, increasing the likelihood of being infected.
Another factor is that some people may be immunocompromised and cannot respond well to the vaccine. Additionally, older adults face a higher risk due to their age-related decline in immune function.
Currently, there are treatments available for COVID-19 patients, including antiviral pills like molnupiravir and Paxlovid. However, experts argue that these treatments are not being used effectively.
“It’s possible some people who have COVID symptoms are coming down with them without seeking medical attention until they become severe,” Dr. Tony Moody said. “Additionally, some people may be missing COVID diagnoses due to infrequent testing.”
The CDC recommends that high-risk groups test more frequently. With ongoing low vaccine uptake and inadequate treatment access, the US is still dealing with a significant number of weekly COVID deaths.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/300-people-us-dying-covid-week/story?id=122068959