GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Data from the Michigan Department if Health and Human Services shows that COVID-19 cases have increased by around 50% between early July and early August, but numbers are still far below numbers from 2020-2022.
Dr. Andrew Jameson, Section Chief of Infectious Diseases and the Specialty Medical Director at Trinity health West Michigan, says they are currently seeing an increase in COVID-19 patients, but says there is much more to the picture.
"It is a little bit worse right now than it has been, but we are not seeing people die like they used to, which is a much better place," said Jameson, who adds that it is also unconventional that they are seeing as increase of cases in the summer.
"Most people think of respiratory virus season as being more the fall or the winter, when everyone goes inside and is cold," said Jameson. "We've seen COVID kind of disobey the classic respiratory virus rules over and over again."
With numbers are far below previous years, Jameson says it is a result of much more natural immunity from both natural infection and vaccines. He says many people are only experiencing mild cold symptoms if infected.
While people's immunity has changed over the years, Jameson also says that COVID-19 has been changing as well.
"The problem we have now is that there is a pretty significant variety or variation in presentation, so you can have some people that get really, really sick from it still, and you have other people that hardly have anything. What's happening in the community is you have a mild illness that can still spread easily and still has some impact on people," said Jameson.
Jameson adds that "common sense" and courtesy for others can go a long way. While it may not be necessary to cancel plans due to mild cold symptoms, simple precautions such as wearing a mask or keeping distance from others can help keep those more vulnerable safe.
"I don't think people need to blow up plans completely, but if you are feeling crummy, be respectful and kind to the people around you and protect yourself and them," said Jameson, adding that getting the most updated vaccines can play a key role in protecting oneself and others.
"The vast majority of people that are getting hospitalized still didn't get the most recent vaccine, so I would say that when you see you know the messages come out, or your doctor tells you about the updated booster coming out, we're really targeting that to what's circulating right now, and that still is the best way to protect yourself," said Jameson.