Video: Boston doctor explains 18% global jump in COVID-19 cases
Updated: 6:15 PM EDT Jul 5, 2022
>> YOU’RE WATCHING WCVB NEWSCENTER 5 AT 5:30. ERIKA: THE NUMBER OF COVID CASES WORLDWIDE JUMPS 18% IN A WEEK. HERE TO ASK WHEN WHY IS DR. HELEN, THE INTERIM DEAN OF TUFTS MEDICAL SCHOOL AND AN INFECTIOUS DISEASE SPECIALIST AT TUFTS MEDICAL CENTER. THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US, DOCTOR. ED: SO THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION SAYS INFECTIONS ARE INCREASING RIGHT NOW IN 110 COUNTRIES. WHAT IS DRIVING THIS SURGE? >> WE KNOW THERE ARE A COUPLE THINGS HAPPENING, SO BE A FOUR NBA FIVE VARIANTS HAVE EXPLODED ACROSS THE WORLD WHICH IS A PROBLEM. –BA 4 AND BA 5. IN POORER COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD WE HAVE UNACCEPTABLY LOW VACCINE RATES. SO WE HAVE A VULNERABLE POPULATION AND A VERY TRANSMISSIBLE VARIANT VIRUS HAPPENING. ERIKA: YOU MENTIONED BA 4 AND BA5. WE KNOW THEY ACCOUNT FOR 70% OF COVID INFECTIONS IN THE U.S. COULD WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF THOSE SPECIFIC VARIANTS AND HOW HAVE HOSPITALS BEEN GRAPPLING WITH THEM? >> SO FAR WE ARE SEEING A MILD IMPACT. A 12% INCREASE IN HOSPITALIZATIONS AND A LOW IMPACT ON DEATHS SO FAR, BUT THE CONCERN IS WITH THIS HIGHLY TRANSMISSIBLE VARIANT, WE WILL SEE AN INCREASE AND I HOPE IT WILL NOT BE A SIGNIFICANT ONE. ED: CAN WE TALK ABOUT AVIAN FLU FOR SECOND? THERE IS AN OUTBREAK THAT HAS KILLED HUNDREDS OF LOCAL SEABIRDS THE SUMMER, NOW WE ARE LEARNING IT MAY BE LINKED TO DOZENS OF DEAD SEALS IN MAINE. WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE HEALTH RISK TO HUMANS? >> FORTUNATELY, THE HEALTH RISK IS LOW FROM THIS BIRD VIRUS, BUT WE HAVE SEEN THAT IT IS ALREADY JUMPED INTO ANOTHER SPECIES OF MAMMALS IN SEALS. SO IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR US HUMANS TO AVOID ANY SICK APPEARING BIRD AND TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WEAR GLOVES AND WEAR A MASK IF WE HAVE TO HANDLE SUCH A SICK BIRD. ERIKA: OK, WELL SPEAKING OF SICK BIRDS, THIS IS SOME GOOD NEWS. MASSACHUSETTS HAS FOUNDED ZERO CASES OF AVIAN FLU SO FAR IN BACKYARD CHICKENS, BUT THERE IS ALWAYS A RISK. WHAT ARE SOME WAYS OF PROTECTING IF YOU NEED TO HANDLE A SICK BIRD, WHAT ARE SOME OTHER WAYS FAMILIES CAN PROTECT THEMSELVES? >> IT’S IMPORTANT NOT TO APPROACH A SICK APPEARING BIRD AND I THINK THAT ANYTIME YOU HANDLE A BIRD, A CHICKEN, IT IS A MORTON YOU HAVE GOOD HAND HYGIENE, TO WASH HER HANDS WELL AND BE CAREFUL WITH ANYONE WHO IS IMMUNE COMPROMISED OR VERY OLD OR VERY YOUNG IN SUCH A SETTING. ED: THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND EXPERTISE, GREAT TO SEE YOU. >> YOU TOO, THANK YOU. ERIKA: THANK YOU DR. BOUCHER. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS YOU WOULD LIKE OUR E
Advertisement
Video: Boston doctor explains 18% global jump in COVID-19 cases
Updated: 6:15 PM EDT Jul 5, 2022
The infectious disease specialist also discusses the news that the avian flu may be linked to dozens of dead seals in New England.
The infectious disease specialist also discusses the news that the avian flu may be linked to dozens of dead seals in New England.
Advertisement