GREENSBORO, N.C. — Several viewers contacted 2 Wants To Know asking where COVID stands as we get ready to meet with friends and family over Thanksgiving.
Health officials say testing wastewater is the best way to tell how much COVID is circulating in the community because not everyone reports their positive tests anymore.
Looking at wastewater results, COVID is about four times higher right now than the low in June, but it is only about a third of the peak from last year. But the CDC director Mandy Cohen says COVID is still very real.
"I know folks want to leave COVID in the rear-view mirror, but unfortunately it is still here and is still causing folks to get very sick and even die,” Cohen said.
What’s different now is we have more tools to protect ourselves. It’s too late for the vaccine booster to protect you if your cousin is sick at Thanksgiving, but getting the vaccine today could protect you if your coworker gets sick and brings the virus back to the office after the holidays.
Plus there are additional precautions we can all take for Thanksgiving gatherings:
-If you're sick, stay home
-Wear a mask
- Increase ventilation and even consider a meal outside
"It's really about: Who are you? What's your personal risk? And who are you going to be around?” Cohen said.
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