The latest surge in COVID-19 cases in the US may not be as high as at the beginning of the year, but the emergence of subvariants can be a warning sign of another wave facing the nation during the summer or fall months. Hence, the public health authorities remind people not to think that the pandemic is over while it is still under control. Johns Hopkins University’s Dr. Tom Inglesby, who served on the White House’s COVID-19 advisory team, pointed out that the country sees over 100k cases daily. However, the omicron sub-variant doesn’t pose as many fatality risks. The death rate stands at 265 per day. Also, the infection rate has decreased in some places and increased in others. Overall, it is reaching a stage of a plateau.
According to Dr. Inglesby, there is still a need to protect, prevent, and prepare against this virus. Although there has been a varying degree of effect nationwide, the covid surge is still prevalent. One can take the case of Maryland, for example. The state witnessed an increase in infections at the end of March but stayed much under the peak episodes of January when it reported more than 17,000 cases each day, as revealed by the Maryland Department of Health. However, a single-day spike of 1,756 in the state is a worry. Some believe there is a possibility that these are underreported figures because at-home testing reports mainly go unnoticed. Any area with more than a 5% positivity rate signifies that the infection is widespread. Maryland stands at 8.9%, which is way higher than the threshold.
According to MyBioSource’s recent survey, including 3,442 participants, about 49% of the population in Maryland supports official measures, which is relatively higher than most other American states. Some of the most affected regions in the state are Kent, Baltimore, and Anne Arundel counties, along with Baltimore City, as per the CDC. The community transmission rate is higher. Inglesby emphasizes the need for people to get their vaccine doses and booster shots.
The most affected age group in Maryland
Maryland State Department of Health’s data suggests that young kids (under 19 years old) seem to be at a higher risk of infection. Of the 16 cases of hospitalization, 13 belonged to pediatric wards. Of 2482 additionally registered positive tests on a single day in May, people under age 19 constituted almost one-quarter of the overall infection cases in the state. If someone studies what went by over 2.5 weeks during the time, they will likely spot that over 400 new infections involved this age group. Interestingly, people aged 19 years or less have a population of about 700,000 in the state, and the eligible crowd has completed their vaccine doses.
Eating disorders in teens
As per Chiang Rai Times, parents worried about their teens’ safety and security need to note that eating disorders (already prevalent) saw an exponential rise during the pandemic. According to Chase, fear and anxiety around COVID-19 might significantly contribute to this illness in grown-up kids. If you read about this, you may feel more anxious about your teenager now, knowing the status of covid infection in Maryland. However, there is a way to deal with this. Keep an eye on your teen’s behavior and eating habits. People suffering from eating disorders will inherently indulge in comparisons with others regarding their physical appearance. They will display anger, sadness, and guilt while cutting down on socialization. Some might express their dislike for their favorite food and limit their intake.
According to Allie Weiser of The National Alliance for Eating Disorders, doing excess physical activities, visiting the bathroom after each meal, adopting a new diet, or hiding food are common warning signs. When you notice any abnormal behavior or habit around these areas developing in your kid, don’t panic. Instead, you can help them.
Helping your teenager with an eating disorder
According to Erin Parks (a notable clinical psychologist), parents can take their grown-up kids to primary care physicians or pediatricians. They will examine your kid’s health and require some lab tests. Starting early with the treatment can be more advantageous. Simultaneously, you must enrich your knowledge about this disorder in teens through online resources or anything credible. Supporting your kid in this fight and understanding their feelings is crucial. Because there is a lot of stigma around eating disorders, you should try not to judge or be critical of your kid’s problem. Nowadays, even online therapies are also accessible. So it can be another thing to consider.
Undoubtedly, covid has relented, but the fear is not over yet. But it doesn’t mean you cannot live a normal life. While restoring the usual routine is critical, taking prevention and precaution at the right time doesn’t hurt. It’s about your kid, you, and other family members. And as they say, “prevention is better than cure.” So keep your kid protected and yourself too.
