Navigating the Summer COVID Surge

With variants KP.2, KP.3 and LB.1, the summer COVID surge is here. We don’t often think of summer as the time of year for illness; however, increased travel and an uptick in events held in cool spaces create prime conditions for the spread of germs. The past four weeks in Virginia have seen a steady increase in emergency room visits due to COVID. There was an 11.1% increase in cases from the week ending July 6 to the week ending July 12.

Respiratory illnesses such as COVID-19, flu and RSV can spread from person to person. To limit the spread, follow these steps to protect yourself and others.

• Prevention is key.
  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Revisit proper hand-washing using the WHO technique.
  • Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Use a tissue and immediately throw it in the trash. If tissue is not available, cough or sneeze into your elbow — not your hands. Wash your hands immediately after coughing or sneezing.
  • Clean and sanitize your work area. Use proper disinfectant products on frequently touched surfaces, including your keyboard and mouse. The DHS has more tips for keeping your workspace clean.
  • Fairfax County, Virginia, has other useful strategies on its website.
• Know policies and follow procedures.
  • According to the CDC, when people get sick with a respiratory virus such as COVID-19, they should stay home and away from others. Infected people can resume normal activities when their overall symptoms have improved for at least 24 hours and any fever has gone down without the use of fever-reducing medication. Even after resuming their normal activities, people who have recently been ill are encouraged to take additional prevention strategies for the next five days to curb the spread of disease.
• Learn about immunization options.
  • Immunizations are available for the flu, COVID-19 and RSV. Consult with your medical professional and schedule necessary appointments to ensure you are ready for the season.
• Seek guidance on testing.
  • Because symptoms can feel similar for different respiratory illnesses, your doctor may ask you to get tested for COVID, RSV or the flu. Tests, some of which can be administered at home, can help you determine your next steps to feel better and prevent more infections.
  • Your local government’s website can be a great source of information. For example, the Alexandria City government site provides a hotline and allows residents to learn more about testing in multiple languages.
  • At-home COVID-19 test kits are available for sale around the U.S. Check with local retailers and pharmacies to see where at-home tests are available.
  • No-cost antigen and PCR COVID-19 tests are available at thousands of sites nationwide. Find additional resources in your state.
• Secure effective treatment. 
  • Medical advancements in the U.S. have created a capacity for more widely available, effective treatments. Seek treatment early, as doing so can reduce the likelihood of severe illness, hospitalization and death.

Let’s all do our part to curb the surge of COVID-19 this summer and into fall. Practicing good hygiene is a solid first step to preventing the spread of illness. If illness does occur, follow established guidelines to minimize your symptoms (and the chance of passing your illness to others). Make sure you and your colleagues are communicating openly. Stay well and enjoy the rest of your summer safely!

Submitted by:
Faith Redd-Walker, Office of Employee Wellness and Wellbeing, employeewellbeing@nvcc.edu