Unveiling the Truth: COVID's Endemic Status and Its Impact on Our Lives

At this point, many of us might view COVID as a pesky but manageable threat that just won't seem to fade away. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) echoes this sentiment. In a recent interview with NPR, Aron Hall, DVM, MSPH, who serves as the deputy director for science at the CDC, referred to COVID as being “endemic” worldwide. This classification indicates that while the virus continues to circulate, its behavior has become more predictable.

“COVID is still a very significant problem,” Hall stated, adding that it can now be approached alongside other public health challenges, rather than isolating it as a singular pandemic threat. This represents a shift in our understanding of COVID-19, putting it in line with other endemic diseases that we manage regularly.

But what does it truly mean for a virus to be considered endemic? According to René Najera, DrPH, an epidemiologist and public health director at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, “endemic refers to a disease or condition that occurs regularly or is expected at a certain rate.” For example, malaria is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa, a point emphasized by Amy Edwards, MD, a physician at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital in Cleveland.

On the flip side, Najera clarifies that an “epidemic” occurs when there are more cases than what is typically anticipated for a specific time or community. Both doctors, Edwards and Najera, align with Hall's evaluation of the situation. While the CDC spokesperson didn’t specifically label COVID as “endemic,” they did insinuate that COVID-19 is likely here to stay, and the organization is adapting its focus on strategies to prevent severe disease, particularly for those most vulnerable.

According to the spokesperson, “Its health impacts increasingly resemble those of other respiratory viral illnesses, including influenza and RSV.” With time, researchers and healthcare professionals have learned much more about the virus and the illness it causes. Najera mentions, “We know how to prevent it, and we’ve discovered various treatment options. There are even antiviral medications that help reduce its severity and duration.”

These advancements include laboratory