U.S. Air Force Graphic by Rosario "Charo" Gutierrez

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic having drawn to a close, a recent surge in cases here and throughout the U.S. shows it remains part of daily life.

While the numbers are nowhere near the height of the pandemic, the risk of a severe Covid-19 infection is not gone, according to physicians and epidemiologists from the Fresno County Department of Public Health.

They point to several factors for the rise in infection.

“One reason is that Covid-19 continues to evolve and mutate,” said FCDPH physician Dr. John Zweifler. “The majority of currently circulating Covid virus strains are related to the Omicron variant.”

Zweifler added that, much like seasonal flu, mutations of the virus make it difficult to eradicate entirely. Immunity also dissipates over time.

Those factors, paired with the relaxing of preventative public health measures, have caused numbers to increase in recent months, officials say.

How the data is compiled

With designated testing and vaccination centers largely a thing of the past, gathering data to monitor Covid-19 transmission is more challenging. A large amount of current surveillance comes from wastewater and hospitals.

Emergency departments can monitor infection patterns. From July 19 to Aug. 19, Fresno County reported a jump in infected daily patients from approximately 40 in July to more than 60 in August — up 50%.

This sort of surveillance offers a limited view.

“Since case-based surveillance depends on those who are ill getting tested at molecular testing sites, and there has been decreases in overall testing and increases in at-home testing, this style of surveillance is less representative and under-estimates the true disease burden in a community,” said FCDPH Senior Epidemiologist Dr. Stephanie Koch-Kumar.

That’s where the county turned to wastewater testing, which revealed an increase in virus for the week of Aug. 21 over the previous 21 days.

There hasn’t been an increase in Covid-19 fatalities, according to health officials.

What can the community do to keep safe?

What can employees and employers do if presented with a potential Covid-19 infection?

Doctors and epidemiologists say the best way to avoid an infection is early prevention.

Zweifler said both the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) predict an updated Covid-19 vaccine this fall, expected to be effective against the currently circulating strains.

With flu season around the corner, Zweifler said it is important to remain up to date on other seasonal vaccines as well.

“Individuals can also protect themselves against other respiratory illnesses  including Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and influenza by receiving vaccines against these common and potentially dangerous viral infections,” Zweifler said.

Zweifler also recommends using over-the-counter Covid-19 tests if symptoms occur. He also reminded the public that those with high-risk conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity, should consider utilizing Paxlovid to reduce the chance of complications.

Despite many restrictions having been lifted, CalOSHA still maintains strict standards to reduce COVID-19 spread and infections in the workplace.

The State of California has issued a COVID-19 prevention non-emergency regulations guide, which provides businesses and employers information on vaccines, treatment, prevention and other concerns.

“Close contacts of individuals with Covid-19 may continue working if they test negative initially and at days 3 and 5 after exposure,” Zweifler said. “Close contacts are expected to wear a well-fitting mask for 10 days after their last exposure to COVID-19.”

With severe cases of the virus much less common now, Zweifler said that anyone experiencing breathing difficulties, high fever or a loss of consciousness due to a potential COVID-19 infection should seek medical attention immediately.