Delta Variant, Flu Cast Shadow Over Recovery from Pandemic

Health experts warn public there also could be very difficult flu season ahead

By Dan Hounsell


COVID-19 vaccination rates continue to rise, and hospitalizations and deaths related to the illness have dropped. Beyond those hopeful signs, more healthcare organizations are breaking ground on a host of expansions, renovations and new construction projects. So when it comes to the 17-month-long pandemic, hospitals are out of the woods, right?

Well, not so fast.

First, healthcare organizations are dealing with the highly contagious delta variant, which now accounts for more than 51 percent of COVID-19 cases in the United Stats, reports NPR. In parts of the United States, the delta strain accounts for more than 80 percent of new infections, including some Midwestern states, such as Missouri, Kansas and Iowa.

Second, health experts are warning the public that there also could be a very difficult flu season ahead, too, according to CNBC. It’s difficult to predict what will happen during the 2021-’22 flu season, but the CDC “is preparing for flu virus circulation to return to pre-pandemic levels, given that the circulation of some respiratory viruses is already returning to pre-pandemic levels.



July 9, 2021


Topic Area: Infection Control


Recent Posts

What 'Light' Daily Cleaning of Patient Rooms Misses

Most environmental services workers still clean as if they were wiping dust off a countertop, not disrupting a living, structured community.


Sprinkler Compliance: Navigating Code Mandates, Renovation Triggers and Patient Safety

As CMS deadlines approach and renovation projects accelerate, healthcare facility managers must understand how NFPA 101, state fire codes and sprinkler design strategies intersect.


MUSC Board of Trustees Approves $1.1B South Carolina Cancer Hospital

Research and education are intentionally embedded in the hospital’s design, with dedicated spaces for scientific collaboration, clinical investigation and training.


Study Outlines Hand Hygiene Guidelines for EVS Staff

Researchers find that current guidelines for hand hygiene don’t include EVS workers and suggest indicators to fill that gap.


McCarthy Completes $65M Sharp Rees-Stealy Kearny Mesa MOB Modernization

The completed tenant improvement includes approximately 100,000 square feet of improved space across two buildings and represents an investment of $65 million.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.