COVID cases climb as winter approaches; experts advise vaccination and new treatments

As temperatures fall and daylight shortens, COVID cases are beginning to rise, driven by higher SARS-CoV-2 levels detected in wastewater nationwide, particularly in western and southern regions. Although the increase in viral presence has led to more positive tests, hospital admission rates remain stable, suggesting one outlet XFG-related strains are less severe. The XFG lineage has been prevalent for over a year, giving many people's immune systems some familiarity.

Health professionals stress the importance of receiving the updated vaccine, which targets XFG variants, and note that both mRNA and protein vaccines remain covered by insurance. They also point to the recent approval of the antiviral Xocova, a five-day regimen that can lower infection risk after exposure, though it is not approved for children under 12 and may interact with certain drugs. Additional treatments such as Paxlovid remain available for those at risk of severe disease.