AARP Hearing Center
With the pandemic in its fifth year, staying informed about the latest developments with the disease, including new variants and treatments, remains especially important for older adults, who are most at risk for severe illness and death from COVID-19.
Here’s a summary of recent coronavirus news that’s particularly relevant to people 50 and older, followed by answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about COVID-19.
Latest COVID-19 news
Updated COVID vaccines are available. COVID-19 vaccines that have been updated to target more recently circulating versions of the coronavirus have been given the green light by the FDA and are making their way to pharmacies and clinics nationwide. The mRNA vaccines, from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, target the KP.2 variant of the virus, and the protein-based vaccine from Novavax targets JN.1, the parent strain of KP.2 and other FLiRT variants. All three vaccines are expected to provide good protection as we head into respiratory virus season, and it's recommended that everyone ages 6 months and older receive one this fall.
Free at-home tests will be available soon. The federal government is relaunching the free at-home testing program in late September, health officials announced in a recent media briefing. Each U.S. household will be able to order four free coronavirus tests from COVIDtests.gov. Shipping is also free and the tests will be able to detect current COVID-19 variants.
COVID-19 was the 10th leading cause of death last year. COVID-19 was the 10th leading cause of death in 2023, dropping from fourth place in 2022, a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) finds. During 2023, COVID caused or contributed to 76,446 deaths in the U.S., compared with 245,614 in 2022. COVID death rates decreased for all demographic groups between 2022 and 2023, but they continued to remain highest among people 85 years and older.
Summer surge continues. COVID-19 activity remains elevated in most areas of the U.S., the CDC reported on Aug. 30. Positive cases, emergency room visits and hospitalizations remain higher than normal, “particularly among adults 65-plus,” the CDC said. The summer swell is being driven by new variants of the virus, particularly KP.3 and its relatives, collectively known as FLiRT variants. Doctors and researchers are encouraging older adults and others at higher risk for COVID-19 complications to take precautions as the virus circulates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can you catch COVID-19?
COVID-19 is the name of the disease caused by a coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. You can catch COVID-19 by breathing in air if you are close to an infected person who is exhaling small droplets and particles that contain the virus. You can get it if those small droplets and particles land in your eyes, nose or mouth (likely through coughs or sneezes) or if you have virus particles on your hands and touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
Who is at risk for COVID-19?
Anyone can get COVID-19, but some people are more at risk for what experts call “severe disease” that may require hospitalization or intensive care.
Older adults are more likely than younger, healthier people to experience serious illness from COVID-19. The vast majority of COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. have occurred among people 50 or older — and the risk increases with age.
Adults of any age with an underlying medical condition are at increased risk for complications from a coronavirus infection. Among the factors:
- Cancer
- Chronic kidney disease
- Chronic lung diseases, including COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), asthma (moderate to severe), interstitial lung disease, cystic fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension
- Dementia or other neurological conditions
- Diabetes (type 1 or type 2)
- Down syndrome
- Heart conditions (such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies or hypertension)
- HIV infection
- Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system)
- Liver disease
- Mental health conditions, including depression and schizophrenia spectrum disorders
- Overweight and obesity (defined as a body mass index of 25 or greater)
- Pregnancy
- Sickle cell disease or thalassemia
- Smoking (current or former)
- Solid organ or blood stem cell transplant (includes bone marrow transplants)
- Stroke or cerebrovascular disease, which affects blood flow to the brain
- Substance use disorders (such as alcohol, opioid or cocaine use disorder)
- Tuberculosis
What can you do to reduce your risk?
There are a number of ways you can reduce your risk of getting sick from COVID-19. Chief among them: get vaccinated. The FDA has officially approved two vaccines — from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna — and both have been updated to target more recent versions of the virus.
The FDA has issued an emergency-use authorization (EUA) for an updated COVID-19 vaccine developed by Novavax for people 12 and older. All three vaccines are effective at preventing hospitalization and death from COVID-19, and health officials are encouraging everyone 6 months and older to get vaccinated.
A few other ways to lower the likelihood of getting sick from COVID-19: Wear a high-quality face mask when you’re in public indoor settings, avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces, and wash your hands often.
Do the vaccines have side effects?
It’s common to experience mild to moderate side effects after getting vaccinated, such as soreness in the arm, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, nausea, fever or chills — but these are temporary “and normal signs that your body is building protection,” the CDC says.
A small number of vaccine recipients have experienced adverse reactions to the shots. These serious events after COVID-19 vaccination “are rare but may occur,” the CDC says. Anaphylaxis, an allergic reaction, has occurred in a small share of the vaccinated population — approximately five cases per 1 million doses administered. This is why you may be asked to wait about 15 minutes after your shot or booster to monitor for symptoms. Vaccine providers are equipped with medicines to quickly treat the reaction.
Health officials are monitoring reports of myocarditis or pericarditis in some adolescents and younger adults after vaccination with the Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax vaccines. Most of these patients who received care responded well to medicine and felt better quickly, the CDC says. It’s also monitoring rare reports of Guillain-Barre syndrome, which was more commonly associated with the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, which is no longer available.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
People with COVID-19 have reported a wide range of symptoms that typically appear two to 14 days after exposure to the virus, including:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- Loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
This list is not exhaustive, and more unusual symptoms have been noted throughout the pandemic — from cognitive complications to skin rashes.
Most people with COVID-19 can recover at home. However, if you develop emergency warning signs — pain or pressure in the chest; disorientation or confusion; pale, gray or blue-colored skin, lips or nail beds; difficulty breathing; or an inability to wake or stay awake — get medical attention immediately.
What should I know about testing?
Testing can help keep you and others around you safe. If you’re experiencing symptoms, test yourself. At-home tests are available at many pharmacies and community health centers.. You can search for free testing options at testinglocator.cdc.gov.
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