The number of cases involving Covid-19 is on the rise in the Northeast, due in part to the omicron’s highly contagious BA.2 subvariant — but the White House’s new Covid czar isn’t too worried about it just yet.

Dr. Ashish Jha said, “I’m not too concerned right now.” told NBC’s “Today”Tomorrow is Monday.

Jha was the Dean of Brown University’s School of Public Health. named the White House’s Covid-19 response coordinator last month. Monday’s acknowledgment of increasing Covid cases throughout the country was made by the president. Data from Johns Hopkins University shows that 27 states plus Washington D.C. saw an increase in Covid-related cases within the past 7 days.

Jha explained that data don’t support a Covid-related surge, as hospitalizations in this pandemic are at their lowest point. According to the Centers for Disease Control and PreventionThe U.S. currently has an average of just over 1,300 hospitalizations per days, which is a low level for a pandemic.

Jha said that it’s impossible to predict the future. However, he encouraged people not to lose heart and be vigilant as subvariants spread. However, Jha said that “this moment is not one where we need to be too concerned.”

According to experts, the U.S. has the right skills and knowledge to deal with a rising number of Covid cases. This is because the majority of Americans are currently in some form of Covid. Covid antibodies in their systems. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report. survey of blood donor samplesAn estimated 95% (aged 16-plus) of Americans have identified Covid antibodies according to a December survey and a February update.

Those come from both vaccinations — more than 77% of the U.S. population has received at least one Covid vaccine dose, according to the CDC — and prior Covid infections.

Still, the antibody statistic — while encouraging — is also no guarantee of protection against BA.2. Experts say that different types of immunity offer protection over different periods of time. Not all Covid antibodies are actively fighting the virus. told CNBC Make It last month.

The White House’s chief medical advisor, Dr. Anthony Fauci, broadcast a cautionary message on Sunday on ABC’s “This Week.”

“[Covid]It’s not going away, and it won’t be eliminated,” he stated, adding that:[W]We will need to be able to cope with some amount of [the]Viral infection in the Community“

Fauci advised people to examine their risk profiles and consider going public before taking on any new risks. My status Are there people in my home that are at risk from the virus?

He stated that it was the best thing to be protected is to have your vaccines. if eligible, boosted.

Disclosure: NBC, CNBC are both divisions of NBCUniversal.

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