Recent COVID-19 Resurgence Is Having A Real Impact On WNY
For the last few weeks, the COVID-19 virus has been making its impact known again all across New York State.
Even with the high vaccination rates in New York State, every single region of New York State is still considered an area of high risk for COVID-19 transmissions.
Some experts are not surprised by this considering Western New York's 7-Day COVID-19 Positivity Rate is still hovering around 12.5%. While the percentages in Western New York are much lower than some other areas of the state, anything above 5% is considered high, and as you can see we're well above that.
Even though I look at these numbers every day, it didn't really impact me how bad things have been these last few weeks until I myself tested positive for COVID-19. I'm vaxed to the max fully vaccinated, and I generally adhere to all of the recommended COVID-19 guidelines, so I have felt pretty safe from Coronavirus since New York State lifted its mask mandate. Imagine my surprise when the COVID-19 home test I took came back positive.
To say the last 10 days have been an adventure would be an understatement:
Friday, May 20, 2022
I was feeling quite exhausted, I attributed it to all of the work that I've done in Jefferson Corridor since the domestic terrorist attached that happened on May 14, 2022. From volunteering on-site to broadcasting my radio show live from Jefferson Avenue. The approximate 6 days I had spent on the scene really took a toll on my energy level.
Saturday, May 21, 2022
I woke up feeling even more exhausted than I did the night before but considering all I had been doing, I grabbed an extra-large coffee and went about my day. More volunteering and working down in the Jefferson Coordinator, my son's baseball game, and other random duties had me running throughout the day. It wasn't until I was on my way home that I started to feel a sore throat and develop a cough. So once I got home, I said I'm probably just super tired, but let me take a COVID-19 test just to be sure.
After I saw the two lines, which means it was positive, I had a mini-panic attack. Of course, I had all the typical questions: Who? What? Why? How? I scheduled myself for an appointment for a PCR COVID-19 Lab Test and I just went to bed.
Sunday, May 22, 2022
I woke up super early this morning and I had every single one of the typical COVID-19 symptoms. My fever spiked to 103.5F, the chills and cold sweats, headache, fatigue, shortness of breath... You name it, and I felt it during the day on Sunday.
Monday, May 23, 2022
I received the results of the PCR COVID-19 PCR Lab test that I took on Sunday and it confirmed that I was positive for coronavirus, not that I needed any more confirmation based on the day before. I had a telehealth appointment with my Primary Dr. and based on my SpO2 Levels we both decided for me to just isolate, stay hydrated, and keep an eye on my symptoms.
Tuesday, May 24, 2022, through Friday, May 27, 2022
I honestly have no idea what happened over these 4 days. They are literally a blur. I slept a lot, there was a lot of coughing, a lot more ibuprofen and acetaminophen, and plenty of water. Beyond that, there isn't much more that I can tell you about these days.
Saturday, May 28, 2022
I finally started to feel better. The fever I had was finally gone, but the couch remains, and worst of all my voice was largely gone as well. At this point, it's been 1 full week since my positive home test and I can feel that the worst is over.
Sunday, May 29, 2022
I went outside of my house for the first time in more than a week and I forgot how much I love being outside.
Monday, May 30, 2022
My voice has finally started to return, but the dry couch is intense and feels like it isn't going away anytime soon.
COVID-19 Spreading Rampantly Throughout The Region
Multiple people that I know have tested positive for COVID-19 over the last couple of weeks. This just reiterates the fact that, while many of the COVID-19 restrictions have been listed, we the people need to remain diligent in making sure we stay safe and healthy this summer. Experts this current trend of increasing infections to continue.