March 25, 2022
Dear Members of the Baylor College of Medicine Community,
The COVID-19 numbers in the United States continue to look good, but there still are a few hotspots. This week’s video includes a map of those areas. Texas and the Houston area are doing well in case counts.
As always, we want to keep a close eye on the global picture. Most of Europe, Australia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Chile all have high case numbers. Germany saw more than 250,00 new cases and 249 deaths per day last week, while ending most restrictions. Throughout the pandemic, we have followed trends set by Europe by a few weeks so it is important to keep an eye on these numbers.
I think enough people have been infected or vaccinated in the United States that we will not have another surge through the summer, but we are likely to have an uptick. Immunity will start waning in the fall. I would prefer that if we get a second booster in the later summer or early fall, it is Omicron specific.
Lots of interesting research reported this week and plenty of vaccine news. Details are in the video.
I hope you have a great weekend. Stay safe.
Paul Klotman, M.D.
President & CEO
Executive Dean
