With the summer season in full swing, local and state health officials are urging the public to take steps to protect themselves from COVID-19 infection, as cases recently have risen across the United States. 

Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Health Director Elaine Perry reports a steady increase in COVID-19 diagnoses in emergency room visits. The percentage rose from about 0.2% in late May to over 1% by mid-July.

A similar uptick can be seen statewide, with a rise in emergency room visits beginning the week of May 18. Sharper upticks started in June and July, with 1.68% attributed to COVID-19 for the week of July 20. Wastewater surveillance also showed increased levels of COVID-19 infection across the state.

Health officials made clear this trajectory is similar to increases seen in previous summers since the emergence of COVID-19.

“We’re about on par with the summer of 2023 last year,” said Elena Diskin, manager of the Respiratory Disease and Vaccine Preventable Disease Program for the Virginia Department of Health. “Over the past few years we have seen this pattern of a smaller wave of COVID-19 activity in the late summer, followed by the more significant wave of COVID-19 activity later in the winter, peaking around New Year’s.”

Both Perry and Diskin pointed to the summer heat as a contributor to this rise, as it leads people to spend more time indoors and close together. This proximity can aid in the spread of not just COVID-19 but other respiratory illnesses during the season.

They also noted other factors contributing to the increase in cases, such as only 14% of the Richmond population receiving the most recent COVID-19 vaccine to the emergence of new variants.

Perry and Diskin recommended residents stay up to date with their vaccinations, follow good hygiene practices such as washing their hands, staying home when sick and taking steps to ensure access to clean air and proper ventilation.

These measures will only become more relevant in the months to come, as the fall season begins and seasonal illnesses such as the flu become greater concerns. Health officials, however, are already preparing and encouraging the public to take advantage of the resources presented by local health providers when the time comes.

“We are gearing up for a busy fall season, including back to school and the elections,” Perry said. “People will have a lot on their plates and may not feel like they have time for one more thing. The good news is that it is safe and effective to receive the COVID-19 and the flu vaccine at the same time so folks will only have to make one trip.”