What’s driving the summer COVID-19 surge?

CINCINNATI (WKRC) – As COVID-19 cases continue to climb here and across the country, we are learning more about why this virus seems to like the hotter temperatures.

It appears that everything from what we do in the summer months to the virus itself seems to influence why COVID-19 is surging this summer once again.

“In the past years, there has been a surge usually in the July-August timeframe, sometimes it correlates with a new variant out there,” said Dr. Stephen Blatt, infectious disease specialist.

This year’s surge is likely due to this ever evolving virus.

It’s just different enough that TriHealth family medicine specialist Scott Woods says some people feel as bad as when they got COVID-19 the first time around.

“Body aches and fever and fatigue, general tiredness, are really common. Most people have upper respiratory symptoms and a little bit of congestion or a sore throat. Some people have GI symptoms with a little bit of diarrhea.”

While most people right now are not needing hospital treatment, don’t underestimate that this virus is still causing everything from blood clots to breathing problems in those most vulnerable to it.

Testing is the only way to know for sure it is COVID-19 and not allergies, which are also on the rise right now.

“Things that are suggestive of a virus compared to allergies would be body aches, significant fatigue, and certainly fever, when you have those allergies usually do not produce those symptoms,” said Dr. Scott.

Our summer habits of international travel, summer get togethers with people, and even the heat and humidity are some of the factors that appear to lead to rising summertime COVID-19 cases.

As for what you should do if you are exposed to someone who has it?

“If you’re exposed to COVID, probably the best thing to do is to protect others around you in case you become ill. In other words, probably wear a mask when you are around other people and then wait to see if you develop symptoms.”

Dr. Woods says if you make it about five days with no symptoms you are probably in the clear. If they pop up, Paxlovid is still your best option to reduce serious complications.