UVA Health seeing surge in confirmed COVID-19 cases

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - Just when we thought the end of COVID-19 was near, confirmed case numbers are back on the rise across Virginia.

University of Virginia Health says it’s seeing the highest numbers its seen since the beginning of this year.

UVA Health says it is seeing a surge with an average of 14 to 22 patients with COVID hospitalized in the last two weeks.

A UVA doctor says it’s the highest since mid-February.

“Total census of 14 patients, 10 adult patients with two in the ICU and 8 on acute care floors, and then 4 pediatric patients with 3 in the PICU,” UVA Epidemiology Doctor Costi Sifri said.

Dr. Sifri says with the uptick, there are multiple strands to combat.

“KP.2, KP.3, LB.1 and their derivations are the set of current circulating COVID variants, these flirt variants are the vast majority of strains that are circulating now,” Dr. Sifri said.

Experts say with school back in session, flu season approaching and the holidays coming up, it’s likely to see a double peak.

“We can anticipate that some people may unfortunately have relapsed infection, which is perhaps not that difficult to deal with, or at least relapse symptoms. But also, again, some individuals may be at risk for long COVID,” Dr. Sifri said

The Center for Disease Control has approved updated Moderna and Pfizer vaccines.

It recommends everyone six months and older to get vaccinated.

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