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<\/p>\nToward the end of the summer and the start of the school year, COVID-19 cases were high across the country, with lots of people dealing with fatigue, congestion, headache, sore throat, and other bothersome symptoms.<\/p>\n
Morsa Images \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n
This is all part of the predictable COVID pattern, but what about cases now?<\/p>\n
\u201cCOVID has a summer peak, and then it wanes a little bit, and then … what it has been doing is picking up again around Thanksgiving and Christmas, as people start gathering,\u201d said Dr. Jill Foster<\/a>, a professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School.<\/p>\n At the moment, we\u2019re in a lull from COVID-19, Foster said. This may feel like a breath of fresh air for those afraid of catching the virus, but this doesn\u2019t mean COVID cases aren\u2019t around at all.<\/p>\n According to\u00a0Suruchi Sood<\/a>, an assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, there are some Centers for Disease Control COVID tracking delays partly because of the government shutdown. But from the data that is available and anecdotally in her own practice, \u201cWe don\u2019t seem to be seeing, thankfully, yet, an uptick of COVID.\u201d<\/p>\n COVID tracking data isn\u2019t as detailed or accurate as it was earlier in the pandemic because of a variety of factors, including less testing and funding changes. However, between what doctors who spoke to HuffPost are observing in their clinics \u2015 along with the data available \u2015 it does appear that we are beyond the late-summer, early fall peak.<\/p>\n We may not have another peak this year, but \u201cmy guess is that it\u2019ll pick back up again when people start gathering, staying indoors more, being in close proximity to each other,\u201d Foster said.<\/p>\n While COVID-19 may be low, there appears to be one illness that\u2019s increasing right now.<\/strong><\/p>\n Related: Medical Professionals Are Calling Out The Biggest “Health Misconceptions” People Still Believe (But Really Shouldn’t)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Simpleimages \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n Related: People Are Sharing The “Harmless” Habits That Changed Their Bodies Forever<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n You may be surprised to hear that COVID-19 cases are dipping, especially if you\u2019re one of the many people fighting congestion and a sore throat this week.<\/p>\n \u201cIf we look at our own data from Northeast Ohio … if we looked at this most recent week from our data, and this is specimens that are collected in our lab, the SARS-CoV-2 activity continued to decline from its \u2018summer peak,\u2019\u201d said Dr. Steven Gordon<\/a>, the chairman of the Department of Infectious Disease at the Cleveland Clinic.<\/p>\n At the Cleveland Clinic, COVID positivity rate was 5% last week, he noted.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is higher up, and has been for the past few weeks, is the rhinovirus, which causes the traditional cold, as well as other enterovirus [which also cause cold symptoms] \u2014 and those are at 20% positivity,\u201d Gordon said.<\/p>\n While Gordon is specifically referring to cases in Northeast Ohio, his findings align with the CDC data that\u2019s available, which shows cases of rhinovirus and enterovirus were increasing as of the end of September<\/a>.<\/p>\n There are steps you can take to stay healthy this fall.<\/strong> Skynesher \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n Related: My Doctor Looked At My Vagina And Said 3 Shocking Words. It Started Me On A Life-Changing Journey.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n As we head into virus season, now\u2019s the time to think about the steps you can take to stay healthy this fall and winter, Gordon said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019d rather prevent, obviously, than treat,\u201d said Gordon. The best protection against the flu is the flu shot, \u201cand it\u2019s still recommended for anyone greater than six months of age,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n The best way to prevent a severe COVID-19 infection and hospitalization is by getting the COVID shot, too.<\/p>\n \u201cNow that we have COVID vaccination available and influenza vaccination available, it takes several weeks for us to develop immunity, so now is a really great time to get vaccinated,\u201d Sood said.<\/p>\n COVID vaccination is still a safe and effective way to reduce how sick you get. \u201cThere was a study that just came out<\/a> … showing that in the VA [Veterans] Health Systems, that even in this last season, COVID-19 vaccination reduced hospitalizations, deaths and ER visits in the VA population,\u201d Sood explained.<\/p>\n You can get your flu shot and COVID shot at the same time<\/a>, and they\u2019re available at pharmacies throughout the country. It\u2019s best to talk to your doctor or local pharmacy about COVID shot eligibility in your area.<\/p>\n It\u2019s also important to take care of your health overall by exercising<\/a> and eating nutritious meals, Sood said. This can help protect you from respiratory viruses. Washing your hands is also a good way to stay well.<\/p>\n \u201cAnother thing people can do is stay away from people that are sick,\u201d said Foster.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re at the airport and notice someone is coughing and sneezing near you, get up and move. Or if you\u2019re the one sneezing and coughing, stay home or wear a mask if you have to be around other people.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s part of good citizenship, of trying to protect other people,\u201d Foster said.<\/p>\n At-home COVID-19 (or flu) tests are also important tools for respiratory virus season. If you test positive, stay away from other people and let your doctor know to see if you\u2019re eligible for certain medications. Olena Domanytska \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n Related: Medical Professionals Are Sharing “Mundane” Things That Actually Make So Many People Sick<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cI think we\u2019ve sort of lost that sense of community a little bit … what I do impacts others,\u201d Foster said.<\/p>\n You never know if the person you\u2019re sitting next to at a restaurant or passing by at the office has a problem with their immune system. \u201cYou might be giving them a death sentence when what you needed to do was either stay home or at least wear a mask when you went out in public. And that\u2019s not that hard to do,\u201d Foster said.<\/p>\n While COVID-19 cases aren\u2019t high right now, that can change at any moment, which makes it important to take steps to stop the spread of the virus and to protect those around you.<\/p>\n This article originally appeared on HuffPost.<\/a><\/p>\n Also in Goodful: My Best Friend And I Stopped Talking For 5 Years. Then I Learned The Surprising Truth About Why She Cut Me Off.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Also in Goodful: “My Husband Was Shocked”: Women Are Sharing The Everyday Routines And Practices They Do In Private That Have Men Incredibly Baffled<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Also in Goodful: Medical Professionals Are Calling Out The Biggest “Mistakes” People Make All The Time While Trying To Improve Their Health<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n![\"Person](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2e020863963ef8538818e5ba5e28bc0c.jpeg\"\/)
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