Where we stand as COVID-19 approaches five year mark

GREENVILLE, S.C. (WSPA) – It’s been more than four years since the coronavirus spread across the globe.

The pandemic killed thousands of people and still continues to have a major impact. However, doctors said we have learned a lot.

As part of our “Ask the Expert” series, in partnership with Bon Secours St. Francis , 7NEWS spoke with health experts about where we stand now.

From social distancing, to face masks, 2020 proved to be a year of change and a year of learning how to adapt to a virus that would shut down the world.

“COVID was real. There’s just no questioning whether COVID was a pandemic and really took the lives of way too many people,” said Dr. Bruce Swords.

Bon Secours Mercy Hospital’s Chief Clinical Officer, Dr. Bruce Swords, is one of many doctors who are still learning from the response to COVID-19.

“It’s easy to look back and say, what did we do right? What did we do wrong? I’m all for giving people a lot of grace in the midst of some of the acute decisions that were made,” said Dr. Swords. “I think we learned a lot about our infection prevention infrastructure in the country and how we might approach something like this in the future.”

Today, doctors said we have learned a lot.

“We certainly are in a very different situation now, as compared to three or four years ago,” Swords said. “The number of hospitalizations locally is dramatically different than it was a few years ago. The number of deaths has also decreased exponentially over the past few years.”

Dr. Sword said vaccines played a vital role in that decline.

“I think the biggest thing that came out of the COVID crisis was a remarkable response to vaccines, and that has saved innumerable lives,” he added.

As we head into the fall and winter months, COVID is still around. Doctors said to treat it like any other illness to lessen your chances of contracting the virus.

“If you don’t feel well, stay at home,” Swords said. “That’s true pretty much no matter what illness you have. If it’s a viral illness, almost all of these are spread from a respiratory point of view. So coughing and sneezing in public might infect others.”

Health experts said washing your hands, maintaining a healthy diet, properly hydrating, getting adequate sleep, and staying up to date on your vaccines, are all ways that promote a healthy lifestyle.

Mandates are no longer in place, however, doctors still recommend social distancing and wearing a mask in public if you are ill.

To submit a health topic for our ‘Ask the Expert’ series, click here .

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