Art by Samantha Dunn

COVID-19 has been picking up its pace worldwide and here in Oregon in recent weeks, mostly due to new, highly-infective mutations of the virus. According to the most recent data from the CDC’s online COVID Data Tracker, hospitalization due to COVID increased around 6 percent during the last few weeks, with deaths increasing by 3.8 percent.

These numbers vary from state to state. In Oregon, according to the New York Times’ recent report, there was an 8 percent increase in COVID hospitalizations in the last 14 days. In addition to this, the number of COVID deaths within the state surged up to 12 percent. It is important to note these numbers are increasing relative to previous statistics, which were fairly low, so the number of COVID deaths still remains in the single digits.

Experts studying the virus believe this recent uptick is linked to two new sub variants of COVID that emerged towards the end of summer: BA.2.86 (Pirola) and EG.5 (Eris). These two new variants – both subvariants of Omicron – have likely contributed to the recent rise in cases, with Eris in particular being highly contagious. This combination of new COVID strains, the recent warm weather and more people coming back to school created a perfect storm for COVID this fall.

Boosters from three large pharmaceutical companies – Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax – have been made specifically for the new Omicron subvariants and are very effective at preventing extreme symptoms from the virus. Aside from being more contagious, the new sub variants do not appear to be any more dangerous than previous COVID strains.

There is a mix of optimism and doubt about the future of COVID surges. Many are split on what types of variants will take hold and what direction they will go in. However while there is debate as to the future severity of COVID, most people hope that we have seen the worst of it.

Tualatin senior Christopher Parra echoed this sentiment.
“Hopefully we won’t have to go back to 2020,” Parra said. “I’m happy to leave all that in the past.”

Senior Nate McDougal agreed.

“Yea, I would rather graduate this year in person than over a livestream.”

In wake of these new COVID developments, the CDC recommends getting tested when any symptoms emerge and to isolate for at least five days after their onset.