Covid: Still Relevant?
An overview of recent coronavirus news and affairs.
Coronavirus made a lasting impact during the pandemic causing mass casualties across the globe, but many wonder if it’s still as important today.
Coronavirus’ lasting importance came from its production of multiple strands, each being more recent and different than the last.
“One thing we know for sure about SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is that it is changing constantly,” Yale Medicine writer Kathy Katella stated. “Since the beginning of the pandemic, we’ve seen several prominent variants, including Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron.”
The number of cases over the years seemed to persist, as COVID-19 is still affecting people long after the quarantine.
“Right now, COVID cases are still happening widely. In December 2023, the WHO reported 1.2 million COVID cases and 9,575 deaths worldwide,” Boston University Professor Eleanor J. Murray said.
Vaccines, though effective at stalling the virus, could not stop the virus from mutating and infecting people yet again, indicating a lasting focus on Coronavirus.
Chart from the CDC illustrating COVID-19 deaths and diangnoses in Florida through December 14, 2024.
CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION
“The data showed very clearly [the vaccine-induced immunity] waning over time, indicating there’s a need to target the circulating variants,” UNC Professor of Biostatistics Danyu Lin, PhD said.
Many medical researchers and scientists are working on preventing and curing Coronavirus due to its lasting impact over the years.
“Our work is aimed at documenting what techniques and approaches might be useful not just for this [the COVID-19 pandemic], but the next pandemic,” Harvard Professor of Epidemiology Mauricio Santillana said.
Though the peak of COVID-19 has passed, it remains a lasting disease through its numerous mutations.