COVID and Flu Testing Increases are Expected for the Winter and Fall

Many may have taken a more relaxed approach to how to manage COVID. Whether it is because we are keeping up with our booster shots or have already been able to be one of the lucky ones to only experience mild symptoms of COVID, it is not a good idea to let our guard down. Just like influenza is only getting stronger year over year, elimination of COVID itself is continuing to be more difficult with the current vaccines as the vaccines with newer variants only help with alleviation in some cases and there are breakthrough cases still happening.

New variants consistently emerge

Testing is more important now than ever because the diseases have not been eliminated, only contained. In addition, the colder weather that happens in areas across the world helps these viruses thrive as immune systems get weaker due to the temperature and weather.

New Corona Variants

There are still instances of multiple types of Corona virus, from Alpha to Omicron. While vaccination is still the best option for protection, testing is important since it helps to highlight exactly what new variants are being discovered. Most recently, in October 2022, Omicron has already developed a new variant that has been labeled as XBB. This variant transmits the virus faster than some of the other variants and has found its origin in Singapore. While it does not mean the symptoms will be harsher, it is still important to keep the cases in check and not simply have a resurgence of cases globally.

This variant follows the discovery of BQ.1, which is more prevalent in Europe and the U.S. All this information comes from the consistent testing. Yet it also means that there will be a surge and more testing for COVID, which will occur this Fall and Winter season.

New Influenza Variant

On the Influenza side, it was also determined in 2022 that there's now flu cropping up again in pigs that is transmittable to humans as well. Age does not matter, as the initial case of this new Swine Flu occurred in someone under the age of 18. That said, the flu is already one of the more contagious viruses.

Many Flu viruses are spreading throughout the U.S. and Europe, as the season has already started earlier than usual. This is because the Flu virus can take up to four days to show symptoms (averaging around two days) and can be spread from droplets, such as a cough or sneeze. You can also pick it up on surfaces that have come in contact with these droplets, such as door handles and the like.

Testing helps with prevention

Both viruses are extremely fast in their transmissions. Yet with proper testing, Flu viruses can be detected even before symptoms appear (around a day), which can help reduce the infection rates. Corona has the other issue where its variants are starting to hide the symptoms as often, so people may be laxer and think it is similar to the common cold or just an adverse side effect to the colder months. There have been instances where people can have the latest variants of corona for weeks and appear asymptomatic but as contagious as ever.

Therefore, it is best while everyone gets more vaccines for both COVID (even the boosters) and for the latest strain of influenza; as a preventative measure to reduce the spread, which testing also increases so that those working on vaccines and medications can continue to monitor the efficacy of these viruses. Either way, expect to see those pop-up testing centers appear again this Fall and Winter.