Virus outlook: Wary US keeps eye on transformed COVID-19
Associated Press
Posted:
Updated:
The fast-changing coronavirus has kicked off summer in the U.S. with lots of infections but relatively few deaths compared to its prior incarnations.
COVID-19 is still killing hundreds of Americans each day, but is not nearly as dangerous as it was last fall and winter.
“It’s going to be a good summer and we deserve this break,” said Ali Mokdad, a professor of health metrics sciences at the University of Washington in Seattle.
With more Americans shielded from severe illness through vaccination and infection, COVID-19 has transformed — for now at least — into an unpleasant, inconvenient nuisance for many.
“It feels cautiously good right now,” said Dr. Dan Kaul, an infectious diseases specialist at the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor.
As the nation marks July Fourth, the average number of daily deaths from COVID-19 in the United States is hovering around 360. Last year, during a similar summer lull, it was around 228 in early July. That remains the lowest threshold in U.S. daily deaths since March 2020, when the virus first began its U.S. spread.
U.S. regulators told COVID-19 vaccine makers that any booster shots tweaked for the fall will have to add protection against the newest omicron relatives.
The Food and Drug Administration said the original vaccines would be used for anyone still getting their first series of shots. But with immunity waning and the super-contagious omicron family of variants getting better at dodging protection, the FDA decided boosters intended for fall needed an update.
Treatments are improving. After being infected with COVID-19 earlier this month, Anthony Fauci, chief medical adviser to the president and director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, experienced a rebound after taking the antiviral pill Paxlovid and said the drug kept him out of the hospital.
Things are not as rosy everywhere in the world. Tourism is booming again in France — and so is COVID-19 and hospitalizations. French officials have “invited” or “recommended” people to go back to using face masks.
North Korea, still struggling with a more serious COVID-19 outbreak, claims the epidemic began in people who had contact with balloons flown from South Korea — a highly questionable claim tied to increasing tensions over its nuclear program.
Eric Gay - staff, AP
A barge tours along the Riverwalk, Friday, June 17, 2022, in San Antonio. The summer of 2022 can feel as if the coronavirus pandemic is really over. Mask rules and testing requirements are lifting in many countries, including the United States.
Michael Conroy - staff, AP
FILE ** Scott Dixon, (9) of New Zealand, leads the field on the start of the the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Sunday, May 29, 2022. The Speedway returned to full capacity for the first time since 2020, when the pandemic put an unforeseeable end to large group gatherings. More than 325,000 people attended the 2022 race.
Laurent Cipriani - stringer, AP
People walk on a Lyon street as others dine out, in central France, Monday, June 20, 2022. Tourism is on the rebound around the world this summer after two years of pandemic restrictions, with museums and flights packed – but the global recovery is hampered by inflation and rising virus infection rates in many regions.
Francois Mori - staff, AP
Tourists take pictures in front of the Pyramide in the Louvre Museum courtyard, in Paris, France, Monday, June 20, 2022. Tourism is on the rebound around the world this summer after two years of pandemic restrictions, with museums and flights packed – but the global recovery is hampered by inflation and rising virus infection rates in many regions.
Andrew Medichini - staff, AP
Tourists take a selfie in front of the Trevi Fountain, in Rome, Monday, June 20, 2022. Summer travel is underway across the globe, but a full recovery from two years of coronavirus could last as long as the pandemic itself. In Italy, tourists — especially from the U.S. — returned this year in droves.
Maya Alleruzzo - staff, AP
A foreign tourist passes Israel's controversial separation barrier as he arrives to check in any the Walled Off Hotel in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, Sunday, June 19, 2022. Despite the roaring return of travelers, challenges and uncertainty cast shadows over the post-pandemic landscape. Full recoveries are generally not expected until at least 2024.
Maya Alleruzzo - staff, AP
A tourist pauses in front of a mural depicting Palestinian activist Ahed Tamimi on Israel's controversial separation barrier in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Sunday, June 19, 2022. The summer of 2022 can feel as if the coronavirus pandemic is really over — mask rules and testing requirements are lifting in many countries, including the United States. Full recoveries are generally not expected until at least 2024.
Manuel Balce Ceneta - staff, AP
Vacationers from Pittsburgh, Pa., watch the ocean from the boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach, Del., Sunday, June 19, 2022. The summer of 2022 can feel as if the coronavirus pandemic is really over. Mask rules and testing requirements are lifting in many countries, including the United States.
Joel C Ryan - invision linkable, Invision
Festival goers make their way around the Glastonbury Festival in Worthy Farm, Somerset, England, Friday, June 24, 2022. Many places, particularly those that have loosened safety requirements, are seeing what passes for a go-go summer of sunny optimism and adventure.
Maya Alleruzzo - staff, AP
Tourists visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Old City in Jerusalem, Wednesday, June 15, 2022. The summer of 2022 can feel as if the coronavirus pandemic is really over — mask rules and testing requirements are lifting in many countries, including the United States. But early in what was supposed to be a season of exuberance, there's evidence that economic recovery in the tourism industry is slower than hoped for.
Andrew Medichini - staff, AP
A guide illustrates the history of the Colosseum to a group of tourists, in Rome, Monday, June 20, 2022. In Italy, tourists — especially from the U.S. — returned this year in droves. The run-up to Easter was especially notable in Rome, reflecting pent-up demand to visit perennial all-star sites like the Sistine Chapel and the Colosseum.
Maya Alleruzzo - staff, AP
Tourists visit the Old City of Jerusalem, Wednesday, June 15, 2022. The summer of 2022 can feel as if the coronavirus pandemic is really over — mask rules and testing requirements are lifting in many countries, including the United States. Full recoveries are generally not expected until at least 2024.
Sakchai Lalit - staff, AP
Tourists visit Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday, June 17, 2022. Summer travel is underway across the globe, but a full recovery from two years of coronavirus could last as long as the pandemic itself.
Maya Alleruzzo - staff, AP
Wisam Salsaa, manager of the Walled Off Hotel, poses in the lobby with works by artist Banksy in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Sunday, June 19, 2022. Summer travel is underway across the globe, but a full recovery from two years of coronavirus could last as long as the pandemic itself. “Tourism here," Salsaa said, "is very fragile.”
Maya Alleruzzo - staff, AP
A Banksy wall painting showing Israeli border policeman and a Palestinian in a pillow fight is seen in one of the rooms of the The Walled Off Hotel in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Sunday, June 19, 2022. Despite the roaring return of travelers, challenges and uncertainty cast shadows over the post-pandemic landscape. Full recoveries are generally not expected until at least 2024.
Eric Gay - staff, AP
Tubers float the Coral River, Tuesday, June 14, 2022, in New Braunfels, Texas. The summer of 2022 can feel as if the coronavirus pandemic is really over. Mask rules and testing requirements are lifting in many countries, including the United States.
Andrew Medichini - staff, AP
Tourists walk in downtown Rome, Monday, June 20, 2022. Summer travel is underway across the globe, but a full recovery from two years of coronavirus could last as long as the pandemic itself. In Italy, tourists — especially from the U.S. — returned this year in droves.
Frank Franklin II - staff, AP
People roller skate at Rockefeller Center Tuesday, June 21, 2022, in New York. The summer of 2022 can feel as if the coronavirus pandemic is really over. Mask rules and testing requirements are lifting in many countries, including the United States.
Michael Dwyer - staff, AP
A guide dressed in a Colonial Era costume conducts a tour outside the Granary Burying Ground on the Freedom Trail, Friday, June 17, 2022, in Boston. The summer of 2022 can feel as if the coronavirus pandemic is really over. Mask rules and testing requirements are lifting in many countries, including the United States.
Bob Edme - stringer, AP
People walk on street in Saint Jean de Luz, southwestern France, Monday, June 20, 2022. Tourism is on the rebound around the world this summer after two years of pandemic restrictions, with museums and flights packed – but the global recovery is hampered by inflation and rising virus infection rates in many regions.
Alessandra Tarantino - staff, AP
Tourists queue to visit Rome's Pantheon Friday, June 17, 2022. Summer travel is underway across the globe, but a full recovery from two years of coronavirus could last as long as the pandemic itself. In Italy, tourists — especially from the U.S. — returned this year in droves.
Jeff Roberson - staff, AP
Visitors to the Gateway Arch tour the museum underneath the monument Friday, June 17, 2022, in St. Louis. Summer travel is underway across the globe, but a full recovery from two years of coronavirus could last as long as the pandemic itself. Interviews by The Associated Press in 11 countries this month show that the most passionate travelers are thronging to locales like the French Riviera, Amsterdam and the American Midwest.
Michael Dwyer - staff, AP
A guide dressed in a Colonial Era costume conducts a tour in the Granary Burying Ground on the Freedom Trail, Friday, June 17, 2022, in Boston. The summer of 2022 can feel as if the coronavirus pandemic is really over. Mask rules and testing requirements are lifting in many countries, including the United States.
Gregory Bull - staff, AP
Visitors line an iconic beach at the La Jolla Friday, June 17, 2022, in San Diego. The summer of 2022 can feel as if the coronavirus pandemic is really over, as tourists flock to the area's famous beaches.
Ashwini Bhatia - staff, AP
Tourists sit on public benches in Dharmsala, India, Friday, June 17, 2022. Summer travel is underway across the globe, but a full recovery from two years of coronavirus could last as long as the pandemic itself.
