Once again, the Austin area is seeing a spike in COVID-19 cases. Angela M. Gibson, DO, Family Medicine at ARC Same-Day Care, recently told the Austin American-Statesman that this summer spike is what Austin has seen since COVID-19 arrived in 2020. "None of us are surprised," she said. "It is doing exactly what we thought it would do."
Why do COVID-19 cases rise each summer?
The simple reason: People are traveling. Most of the cases Dr. Gibson has seen are in people who have been in and around airports or have had family members traveling.
"If you haven't had the latest COVID-19 booster from last fall, it's not a bad idea to get that vaccine a month before a big trip," Dr. Gibson said. Schedule a COVID-19 vaccine at ARC.
What are the symptoms of this COVID-19 variant?
The U.S. is still seeing omicron variants, including FLiRT strains. Most people don't have the loss of smell or taste. Sometimes they have stomach upset or diarrhea, but mostly the symptoms are flu-like:
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Nasal congestion or runny nose
- Cough
- Body aches
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Brain fog
"I wish I could say there was something definitive," Dr. Gibson said. Often, people might think they are having allergies, even though seasonal allergies in Austin are at their lowest point in July, she added.
When should you take a test?
Dr. Gibson advises that anytime you have any of the COVID-19 symptoms, you should take an over-the-counter test. Because many people have only mild symptoms, COVID-19 has become sneakier and easier to spread by the otherwise healthy people who think they just have a cold or allergies. Dr. Gibson added that they often get a surprise if they do take a COVID-19 test because their test turns out positive for the virus. Schedule a COVID-19 test at ARC.
What is the protocol for COVID-19?
The CDC recently changed the guidelines in March. In short, stay home and away from others until, for 24 hours, BOTH:
- Your symptoms are getting better
- You are fever-free (without meds)
Then take added precautions such as wearing a mask and distancing to protect other people from becoming sick for the next 5 days.
What else is going around this summer?
Make an appointment at ARC Same-Day Care
ARC Same-Day appointments are available 365 days a year for minor emergencies, including sprains, colds and flu, minor burns, seasonal allergies, and more.
Make a Same-Day Care appointment online or by calling 512-272-4636 and pressing '1' to make an appointment. ARC Patient Service Representatives are available 24/7 to schedule an appointment.