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What to we know about COVID-19 now and what can we expect in the future?

  • Aniya Faulcon
Diana Merchant self-tests for COVID-19 at a No Cost COVID-19 Drive-Through testing provided the GUARDaHEART Foundation at the Guirado Park in Whittier, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022.  With the brutal omicron wave rapidly easing its grip, new cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. are falling in 49 of the 50 states. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

 Damian Dovarganes / AP

Diana Merchant self-tests for COVID-19 at a No Cost COVID-19 Drive-Through testing provided the GUARDaHEART Foundation at the Guirado Park in Whittier, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. With the brutal omicron wave rapidly easing its grip, new cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. are falling in 49 of the 50 states. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

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Airdate: Thursday, July 7, 2022

With a new omicron subvariant on the scene the present and future of COVID-19 may look a little different.

According to data released Tuesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, BA.5 now comprises most of U.S. COVID-19 cases; but as of June 22, daily new cases decreased by almost 6 % compared to the previous week.

Although new hospital admissions have increased by 1 % in the past week, COVID-19 related deaths have decreased by more than 10 %.

Researchers are finding that COVID-19 will transition to endemic status possibly within two years.

Dr. John Goldman, an infectious disease specialist at UPMC, appears on Thursday’s Smart Talk to discuss the current status of the pandemic and what the future looks like for COVID.

Learn more:

New omicron subvariant BA.5 now a majority of US COVID-19 cases | The Hill

For COVID-19, endemic stage could be two years away | YaleNews

COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review | CDC

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