COVID cases on the rise in the Mid-South

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Just when people thought COVID-19 was a distant and horrible memory, cases are on the rise across the country this summer.

Doctors say it’s spread by people who are traveling or going to work while sick.

WREG spoke with Dr. Sandy Arnold, the Division Chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, about how COVID-19 has recently impacted the Mid-South.

“We are definitely in a place where we are seeing a slow rise in cases and there have been some new omicron variants,” Dr. Arnold said. “Our vaccination rate down here for COVID-19 is very low, so it doesn’t surprise me. But, it’s ticking up everywhere.”

The latest Shelby County Health Department COVID-19 weekly status report shows 263 news cases were reported last week.

More than a third of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. are now estimated to be from a new, fast-growing member of a group of so-called “FLiRT” variants.

They are nicknamed for their small, but distinctive changes relative to the JN.1 strain from earlier this year.

“They are relatives of that JN.1 strain,” Dr. Arnold said. “So, maybe we’re headed for a big increase in cases, but I think only time will tell.”

The CDC says there is still no indication of increased severity of illness associated with the “FLiRT” variants.

“Most of us are just fine. I think that we need to make sure that we are protecting our older people because they’re still at risk of getting severe disease,” Dr. Arnold said.

Dr. Arnold says she’s hopeful a new vaccine will be coming out in the fall and perhaps that will help head off some of the potential cases of COVID.

In the meantime, she has offered some advice for people looking to protect themselves from the latest wave of COVID-19.

“I think people should continue to go about their business,” Dr. Arnold said. “But if you’re sick stay home, stay away from people and test yourself for COVID.

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