2 summer COVID strains are less severe than earlier strains, doctor says
CONWAY, S.C. (WBTW) — While you are soaking up the summer sun, doctors say you can still get sick, including from two new COVID strains that are going around.
Dr. Paul Richardson at Conway Medical Center in Conway, South Carolina, told Nexstar's WBTW that even though the nimbus and stratus strains are now out there, he has not seen a major increase in COVID cases or hospitalizations so far this summer.
He also said the two new strains are less severe than earlier strains.
“If you look at the way a lot of viruses evolve, that’s not uncommon," he said. "A lot of viruses evolve to be less virulent. They may be more contagious, but they’re less virulent."
The nimbus strain, which has been detected in several countries, had not been found to increase sickness or hospitalization rates, the World Health Organization said last month.
The symptoms, however, may still be bothersome. Dr. Richardson told WBTW that most recent COVID patients come in with symptoms very similar to an upper respiratory tract infection.
“I read about, ‘Oh, you’ve been having a lot of sore throats,'" he said. "I think one of them has even had the nickname ‘razor blade throat,’ or something of that nature. But if you think about that, a lot of upper respiratory infections do that same thing.”
Dr. Richardson said most people will not need another COVID booster because of these strains. However, he recommends talking to your doctor, especially if you are immunocompromised.
“With any infection, I worry about patients who are susceptible to worsening," he said. "You think about the elderly. You think about people with chronic lung disease, any type of immune issues, and cancers.”
Even with summer holidays and mass gatherings, Dr. Richardson said he is not concerned about the spread of the two new strains. He does not believe wearing a mask will stop the spread, but many events being outdoors should help with that.
Healthcare facilities like doctors' offices and hospitals cannot test for specific COVID strains; labs are typically tasked with that work. However, that will not affect treatment.
“We would just know positive or negative for COVID," Richardson explained. "We will treat absolutely the same, regardless of what type, whether it be nimbus or stratus or whatever the next one is.”
Dr. Richardson told us the best protection against viruses is washing your hands frequently.