Dr. Jodie Guest Discusses the Two New COVID-19 Variants Circulating in the U.S.

COVID-19 hospitalizations are rising again across the U.S. as two new variants circulate the country. Jodie Guest, PhD, professor and senior vice chair of the Department of Epidemiology at Rollins, talks about how we can protect ourselves from COVID and other respiratory viruses this fall.

As we enter cold and flu season with COVID cases rising, Guest shares these important things to know:

• The two new variants do not appear to be more transmissible and do not seem to cause more severe infection.
• A new COVID vaccine will be available this fall that will offer effective protection against the new variants, and it can be taken at the same time as your annual flu shot.
• We have many proven methods of protecting ourselves from respiratory viruses including COVID, flu, and RSV, which we should continue to practice:
  • Handwashing
  • Keeping things clean
  • Staying home when sick
  • Mask wearing

Guest, along with Carlos del Rio, MD, of Emory School of Medicine, talk further about the latest COVID-19 variants and vaccines here.