Answering reader questions: Incubation period, vaccines coming this fall, nasal sprays

September 10, 2023.Reading time 12 minutes.

I received a couple of reader questions in recent weeks that I’d like to answer here, in the hopes that my responses will be more broadly helpful. The questions cover COVID-19’s incubation period (i.e. time between exposure and symptoms), vaccine effectiveness for this fall, and nasal sprays.

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National numbers, September 10

September 10, 2023.Reading time 5 minutes.

After two months of consistent increases in major COVID-19 metrics, we have once again reached, “Has the surge peaked?” territory. Preliminary data from wastewater and testing are suggesting potential plateaus, while more people are still getting hospitalized with COVID-19.

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Sources and updates, August 6

August 6, 2023.Reading time 3 minutes.

Sources and updates for the week of August 6 include vaccine safety data, a breath test for COVID-19, and transmission in deer.

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COVID source shout-out: Free PCR tests from Walgreens

July 16, 2023.Reading time 2 minutes.

In May 2023, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Walgreens, and Labcorp started offering free PCR tests at select pharmacy locations. The program appears to still be available following the end of the federal public health emergency.

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Sources and updates, July 16

July 16, 2023.Reading time 6 minutes.

Sources and updates for the week of July 16 include detecting SARS-CoV-2 in the air, regular testing in schools, Google trends, and more.

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National numbers, June 18

June 18, 2023.Reading time 5 minutes.

Overall, the national COVID-19 picture remains fairly similar to what we’ve seen for the last few weeks. The U.S. is at a plateau of COVID-19 spread; we could see an increase this summer, but limited data make it hard to say for sure.

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National numbers, June 4

June 4, 2023.Reading time 5 minutes.

The COVID-19 plateau of the last few weeks continues at the national level, though experts are concerned that a summer surge could occur in parts of the country. Wastewater surveillance and testing data are indicating potential increases in the New York City region.

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Answering reader questions about wastewater data, rapid tests, Paxlovid

May 28, 2023.Reading time 6 minutes.

Answering reader questions about interpreting wastewater surveillance data, rapid test accuracy, and Paxlovid access.

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The federal public health emergency ends next week: What you should know

May 7, 2023.Reading time 18 minutes.

We’re now less than one week out from May 11, when the federal public health emergency (or PHE) for COVID-19 will end. While this change doesn’t actually signify that COVID-19 is no longer worth worrying about, it marks a major shift in how U.S. governments will respond to the ongoing pandemic, including how the disease is tracked and what public services are available. Here’s all the key info you should know about this, in one place.

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National numbers, April 30

April 30, 2023.Reading time 5 minutes.

Major COVID-19 metrics continue to suggest an ongoing (though slight) decline in the virus’ spread nationally, despite the rise of newer and more contagious variants. The moderate plateau persists.

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