Shawdesh Desk:

As summer heats up, so does the spread of respiratory viruses, including a new strain of COVID-19 that has become the most prevalent one in the US.

The new variant, called EG.5, is similar to Omicron, but it can evade immunity more easily.

Experts say that New Yorkers who have been vaccinated or infected before have some protection, but they should still be more careful and avoid contact with vulnerable people.

On a sunny Saturday in Flushing, Queens, many families enjoyed the outdoors, playing with their children and feeding the ducks.

But some of them also had COVID on their minds.

According to the city’s health department, 594 people contracted COVID in the last seven days as of Monday, with most cases occurring in the Bronx and Queens.

Flushing and Clearview are among the neighborhoods with the highest infection rates.

Source: Hindustan Times