AUSTIN (KXAN) – Respiratory infections, including the flu and COVID-19, are known to surge during the winter due to weather conditions and people spending more time indoors. But medical professionals report a similar pattern during the summer months.
“The summer has kind of had these little like swells in COVID, especially over the past five years,” said Rannon Ching, a pharmacist and chief pharmacy officer at Tarrytown Pharmacy. “We see a seasonal peak,” he said.
Similar to the fall and winter, more people are spending time indoors during peak summer to beat the heat, allowing the virus to spread more easily. Additionally, Ching said people’s vaccines or boosters are starting to wear off by the time summer is here.
“Also, I mean, Texas has a very low immunization rate in general. So I think all those combinations of factors kind of play into it,” Ching continued.
According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data through July 22, Texas is one of 10 states where new COVID-19 infections are clearly growing. COVID cases are “likely growing” in an additional 16 states, according to the CDC.
The CDC estimated the probability that the COVID-19 epidemic is growing in Texas is 99.38%. Still, COVID-related emergency room visits stay low.
“Things are still controlled,” Ching said, “That’s because we have so many tools at our disposal for testing. When people feel sick, they can make sure that they stay home. We have the vaccine for people who need to be protected.”