Dr. Klotman's Video Message - Week 134

Dear Members of the Baylor College of Medicine Community,
 
Much of the talk around COVID has turned to what is going to happen this winter. Will we have another surge? In this week’s video, I take a look at data in Europe, which currently shows the beginning of a surge. The United States historically lags behind Europe by about one month.
 
At least 300 Americans have died from COVID-19 every day for the past three months. About 50,000 new infections were reported in the U.S. every day in September. These cases are all caused by the new sublineages of Omicron: BA.2, BA.2.12.1, BA.4 and BA.5. The coronavirus is continuously evolving and gaining novel mutations. To date, there have been more than 200 new Omicron sublineages and their derivatives.
 
Harris County continues to be rated as “low” in COVID infectiousness, having 35 cases per 100,000 population and 6 hospital admissions per l00,000. I also review wastewater numbers. Interestingly, the amount of virus in Boston’s wastewater had increased 99.9 percent in the last two weeks. The Northeast tends to be a predictor of cooler weather response and also has led the trends with COVID.
 
And after going through a lot of data and projections, I will reveal my thoughts on whether we will have a surge. I know you will watch to the end for that. That, and Lily needs some help picking out a Halloween costume. Get ready to make your pick!
 
I hope you have a great weekend.
 
Paul Klotman, M.D.
President & CEO
Executive Dean