SAN DIEGO (KGTV) – The San Diego City Council COVID-19 Response Committee began on Monday to focus on the future of the pandemic.
In their monthly update meeting, the committee listened to Dr. Christian Ramers at the San Diego Family Health Centers. His presentation mainly focused on what the next few years will be like.
“This is the deadliest infectious disease in US history,” said Dr. Ramers, noting that cases are rising again. “A lot of people (in my clinic) are coming in with their 2nd, 3rd and 4th cycle of COVID.”
Dr Ramers says this means local governments and health systems need to start planning for the maintenance and long-term care of the disease.
“The numbers aren’t really moving in the right direction,” he says. “You can’t call something endemic when it keeps swinging up and down like this and you have something between 500 and 1000 new cases a day.
Ramers says the future fight against COVID will likely include annual vaccines adapted to specific variants, such as what the United States currently does for the flu.
Meanwhile, he calls Long-COVID a “rogue wave” about to decimate the healthcare system. People with long COVID will need years of disability care. It will also have an impact on the workforce.
As part of the meeting, city council members called for a moment of silence to honor the million Americans and more than 5,200 San Diegan who died from COVID.
Ramers called most of those deaths preventable. He says better therapies can help prevent more deaths in the future.
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What are some of the first symptoms of COVID-19?
Early symptoms reported by some people include fatigue, headache, sore throat, or fever. Others experience a loss of smell or taste. COVID-19 can cause symptoms that are mild at first, but then become more intense over a period of five to seven days, with worsening cough and shortness of breath.
When do coronavirus disease symptoms typically begin? People with COVID-19 have reported a wide range of symptoms, ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms can appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.
Can I have COVID-19 if I have fever?
If you have a fever, cough, or other symptoms, you may have COVID-19.
What is the definition of fever during the COVID-19 pandemic?
The CDC believes that a person has a fever when they have a measured temperature of 100.4 ° F (38 ° C) or higher, or feel warm to the touch, or have a history of fever sensation.
Is it possible to have COVID-19 without a fever?
Yes. Fever is one of the common symptoms of COVID-19, but you can be infected with the coronavirus and have a cough or other symptoms without fever, or of a very low degree, especially in the first few days. Keep in mind that it is also possible to have coronavirus with minimal or even no symptoms. People infected with the coronavirus who have no symptoms can still spread the virus to others.
What do I do if I have mild symptoms of COVID-19?
If you have milder symptoms like fever, shortness of breath, or cough: stay home unless you need medical attention. If you need to get in, call your doctor or hospital first for guidance. Tell your doctor about your illness.
What is the treatment for mild COVID-19?
Treatment for COVID-19 depends on the severity of the infection. For milder illnesses, it is often sufficient to rest at home and take medicines to reduce the fever. Antiviral pills such as Paxlovid or molnupiravir can be prescribed by a doctor if a patient is suitable.
What are some examples of mild illness of the coronavirus disease?
Mild Illness: Individuals who have any of the various signs and symptoms of COVID-19 (e.g., fever, cough, sore throat, malaise, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of taste and sense of smell) but who don’t have wheezing, wheezing, or abnormal chest imaging.
What should I do if am overseas and I can’t get tested before my flight during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Passengers should contact the airline about options to change their departure date to allow time for a test, see if the airline has identified options for testing, or if there are options to change their flights to transit a place where they can be tested before boarding the last flight to the United States.
Can I fly to the United States if I don’t qualify for a COVID-19 vaccination? If you are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19, you will NOT be allowed to board a flight to the United States unless you meet the criteria for an exception under the CDC Proclamation and Order.
Can an airline deny boarding a passenger if they don’t have a negative COVID-19 test?
Airlines must confirm negative test result for all passengers or recovery documentation prior to boarding. If a passenger fails to provide documentation of a pass or recovery test, or chooses not to take a test, the airline must deny the passenger boarding.
Do you need to report a positive COVID-19 test?
CDC strongly encourages anyone using a self-test to report any positive results to their physician. Healthcare professionals can ensure that those who have tested positive for COVID-19 receive the most appropriate medical care, including specific treatments if needed.
Do I need to get a COVID-19 test before traveling to the United States?
When traveling to the United States by plane, you must show a negative COVID-19 test result or COVID-19 recovery documentation before boarding the flight.
When should I get tested for COVID-19 when traveling?
When to get tested. All Travelers: Follow all state, tribal, local and territorial health recommendations and requirements at your destination. If you are not up to date with your vaccines, get tested as close as possible to your departure time (no more than 3 days) before your trip and 3-5 days after your trip.
How long does it take to show symptoms after you have been exposed to COVID-19?
Symptoms can appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. If you have a fever, cough, or other symptoms, you may have COVID-19.
Do I need to get a COVID-19 test before traveling to the United States?
When traveling to the United States by plane, you must show a negative COVID-19 test result or COVID-19 recovery documentation before boarding the flight.
Can you have sex if your partner has symptoms of COVID-19?
If you or your partner aren’t feeling well or think you may have COVID-19, don’t kiss or have sex until you both feel better.
Can you contract COVID-19 through sexual intercourse? Although there is currently no evidence that the COVID-19 virus is transmitted through semen or vaginal fluids, it has been detected in the semen of people recovering from COVID-19. We therefore recommend avoiding any close contact, especially very intimate contact such as unprotected sex, with someone with active COVID-19 to minimize the risk of transmission.
How long are you contagious if you test positive for COVID-19?
“A person with COVID-19 is considered infectious starting two days before they develop symptoms, or two days before the positive test date if they have no symptoms,” according to the CDC. Regardless of symptoms, those who test positive are advised to take specific precautions for at least 10 days.
How long does it take to show symptoms after you have been exposed to COVID-19?
Symptoms can appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. If you have a fever, cough, or other symptoms, you may have COVID-19.
How long after COVID-19 isolation should I wear a mask?
During the 10 days after infection, people may be infectious to others and it is recommended that they wear a well-fitting mask when in close proximity to other people and avoid contact with people at high risk of serious illness, even if they terminate isolation after 5 days.
Can you get COVID-19 from kissing someone?
The coronavirus is known to infect the body’s airways and other parts of the body, but new research indicates that the virus also infects cells in the mouth. You don’t want to kiss someone who has COVID.
How does COVID-19 spread?
This means COVID-19 can spread quickly. The virus is usually transmitted from person to person via: Close contact with an infected person. Contact with droplets from the cough or sneeze of an infected person.
Can COVID-19 be transmitted through saliva?
The study, published in the journal Nature Medicine, shows that SARS-CoV-2, which is the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, can actively infect the cells that line the mouth and salivary glands.