It has been almost three years since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and the virus is still impacting local communities. While the COVID-19 virus’s lethal outcomes have been quelled by vaccines and community prevention, the virus is still expecting to spread at the start of 2023

The causes of COVID-19 are still the same as they were back in 2020 but new variants, lax prevention, and other factors are likely to spread the virus. In fact, some of the emergent variants are more contagious than before and are somewhat resistant to initial COVID vaccines.

Look out for some of the key signs that COVID-19 may soon resurge in your community and prepare for sudden spikes in COVID cases:

New variants are resistant to previous vaccines and surge in early winter months

Recent news reports and public health officials warn of yet another new COVID-19 variant: XBB 1.5. The latest variant is a mutation of the omicron variant that led to new surges in 2022 of the virus. Early reports suggest that this new variant is even more contagious than before, but with less severe symptoms for patients. Public health experts may still need more data to evaluate all potential risks.

COVID-19 is like other viruses such as the common cold because it mutates to become more resilient to prevention methods like vaccines. Viruses require a host in order to survive and can rapidly mutate to avoid immune system defenses like antibodies from previous vaccines. Mutations of COVID-19 allow the virus to stay relevant at the pandemic level but without as many severe consequences.

“COVID-19 fatigue” contributes to lax prevention

As the lethality of the COVID-19 pandemic became lessened, more and more patients have been lax in their prevention of COVID-19. Some cities and towns have reduced mask mandates and attitudes about the virus have become less cautious in recent years. These behaviors and policies are likely to allow the virus to steadily come back into communities that previously adhered to strict prevention measures.

To help avoid potential risk factors for COVID-19, remember these effective preventive measures when dealing with a possible surge:

• Wear a mask indoors around those with known infections or when using public transit in the winter months
• Frequently wash your hands throughout the day to avoid potential infection or spread of illness-borne particles, droplets, and other transmissible factors
• Keep surfaces clean, disinfect, and use hand sanitizer when warm water and soap are not immediately available
• When possible, avoid large public gatherings and especially indoor gatherings with densely populated crowds.

COVID-19 testing is available at an urgent care center

COVID-19 testing is fairly easy to get, but to ensure an accurate and reliable test it helps to visit an urgent care center. An urgent care center with a walk-in clinic allows patients for same-day testing that is fast and convenient for anyone. All a patient needs to do is visit during normal hours and they can get testing right away.

Local patients in Centennial,CO should consider AFC Urgent Care Centennial for COVID-19 related urgent care services. Testing, symptom treatment, and more is available from our urgent care staff. Just book online or visit today!