The Pennsylvania Department of Health is warning of a late-summer surge in COVID-19 activity, with cases and hospital visits climbing in recent weeks.
State surveillance data show test positivity rates rising sharply over the past three weeks, alongside an increase in emergency department visits linked to COVID-19. The uptick is most noticeable among young children under five and adults over 64. Hospital admissions have also trended upward, surpassing 200 statewide during the week ending August 2.
Health officials note that similar summer and early fall waves have occurred in each of the past three years, typically peaking in September. Contributing factors include school reopenings, college campus activity, travel, and more indoor gatherings. Last year, the summer and fall wave outpaced the winter surge.
The Department of Health is urging eligible Pennsylvanians to get vaccinated now rather than waiting for updated fall formulations. The currently available COVID-19 vaccines still provide protection against the circulating variants, including those within the JN.1 family, such as Nimbus and Stratus. Officials recommend waiting at least eight weeks between vaccine doses and 12 weeks after recovering from an infection before receiving another shot.
Antiviral treatment remains an important tool for those at higher risk. Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir-ritonavir) continues to be effective against current variants and should be prescribed promptly to patients with risk factors like diabetes or chronic lung disease. Other options, such as Remdesivir, remain available for patients who cannot take Paxlovid.
The advisory also encourages the use of at-home COVID-19 tests, particularly for people with symptoms who may not seek in-person care. Positive results should be followed by medical evaluation, especially for those eligible for treatment.
Source: PA Dept of Health