Spring Break Could Bring a New Wave of COVID-19 Infections
March 23, 2021
A full year since COVID-19 was declared as a global pandemic, the chances of a new spike in cases remain as real as ever. An article by Healthline titled, "
Will 2021 Spring Breakers Trigger a New COVID-19 Surge?," warns about the risks of a potential health crisis with spring break looming right around the corner and people all over the country getting ready to make the best of the coming holidays.
Back in March 2020, spring break travelers unknowingly increased the spread of COVID-19 in different parts of the country. While people are better prepared to face the disease this time around, health experts still anticipate a new surge of cases in areas like Florida, where the B.1.1.7 variant is currently the cause of 8% of new cases.
Popular spring break locations have also grown more permissive when it comes to safety measures, increasing the risks of infection within local vacation spots and other parts of the country after travelers start making their way back home.
"For events like spring break, this means ignoring well-known infection control measures recommended by health professionals, thus creating the likelihood of a resurgence," said Dr. Edwin Bosa-Osorio, family physician at Community Health of South Florida, Inc.
With only 13.5 percent of the U.S. population having received the vaccine, there's still plenty of room for the virus to spread and mutate into new variants. To counter potential COVID-19 transmissions, NYU's medical director Dr. Scott A. Weisenberg recommends avoiding indoor settings, particularly with poor ventilation.
As of now, unvaccinated travelers represent the biggest risk. Health officials recommend returning travelers to take a two-week quarantine period, followed by a COVID-19 test. While vaccinated individuals pose a lower risk of spreading the virus, they should still adhere to all the safety guidelines after a holiday trip.
You can read the complete article here:
Will 2021 Spring Breakers Trigger a New COVID-19 Surge?.
