Due to the rise of anti-vaxx sentiment from conservative/Republican governments, and the restriction of vaccine messaging and access by these governments across North America, this season’s flu and COVID numbers are expect to rise considerably.
In its “COVID-19 – Global Situation” update on 28 May 2025, the WHO reported that since mid-February 2025, COVID test positivity rates at surveillance sites have climbed to 11%, a level not seen since July 2024. World Health Organization While the increase is especially pronounced in the Eastern Mediterranean, South-East Asia, and Western Pacific regions, WHO emphasizes that surveillance remains limited, and there’s still no clear seasonal pattern to the virus’s circulation globally. World Health Organization
Wastewater patterns for major metro areas are also showing the seasonal spike.
The latest variant known as NB.1.8.1, was first detected earlier in the year, by mid-May 2025, NB.1.8.1 represented 10.7% of global sequences reported to GISAID, a major viral genome database.
Although reported global case numbers have fluctuated, WHO data reveals important insights into hospitalizations and deaths. According to the February 2025 epidemiological update (Edition 176), over 161,000 new cases were reported across 79 countries during a 28-day period (9 Dec 2024 to 5 Jan 2025), representing a 21% decrease compared to the prior period.
New variants coupled with low vaccine uptake will contribute to busy ICUs.
You can do your part in mitigating vaccine spread by staying home when sick, wearing a well fitted respirator mask when indoors, and getting your updated COVId and flu vaccines. That includes healthy folks, not just vulnerable populations. Repeated COVID infections accumulate to leave lasting health impacts.