As we head into the fall and with kids back in school, health experts want you to be extra aware that COVID-19 cases are spreading right now.
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00:00 As we head into the fall and with kids back in school, health experts want you to be extra aware that COVID-19 cases are spreading right now.
00:08 It may not come as a total surprise that right now we're seeing a rise in COVID-19 cases.
00:14 Lindsay Eaton has heard it's been on the uptick.
00:17 We had a family reunion a couple weeks ago down in Seattle and there's a couple people that couldn't go because they've had it.
00:23 COVID-19 may have been off your radar recently, but it's still something to watch.
00:28 On the way to school today dropping my daughter off, she says to me, "Mommy, everybody at school got COVID again."
00:34 Dr. Jill Roberts is an associate professor at the USF College of Public Health.
00:39 So what's to blame?
00:40 Roberts points to a combination of new variants coming out and that our immunity went away.
00:46 On top of that, there are other factors that can play into it too.
00:50 Anytime we get people crowded together, and we've seen this already with Omicron, that it will peak a little bit after some holidays.
00:57 There's a little school bump that goes on.
01:00 For some, it may have been a while since your last COVID vaccine.
01:04 Dr. Roberts explained theoretically we should expect a new COVID booster by the middle of next month,
01:10 but we're still waiting on guidance for those shots.
01:14 My guess is you're going to be seeking your COVID booster and your flu shot at the same time.
01:19 For now, take a look at your risks.
01:21 Then think back to precautions you took before and follow them again if necessary.
01:26 I've had it twice and I'm vaccinated, so of course you want to be cautious,
01:30 but I'm not fully concerned that it will hit me as hard if I do get it again.
01:35 For Scripps News, I'm Mary O'Connell reporting.