Lindenwood has experienced a small rise in COVID-19 cases in the last few weeks.

It has been almost five years since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. 2019 was the year the lives of many took a turn. People were wearing masks outside, washing their hands regularly, working from home, etc.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) the COVID-19 pandemic is not considered a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) anymore.

“The head of the UN World Health Organization (WHO) has declared “with great hope” an end to COVID-19 as a public health emergency, stressing that it does not mean the disease is no longer a global threat,” United Union said.

Although COVID is no longer considered a global threat, it does not fully protect people from catching the virus. Lindenwood sororities experienced a lot of sickness after rush week.

“In my sorority, most of us are sick with something but it’s not COVID, I got tested and a bunch of other girls too and it’s not COVID,” senior Jaden Riegsecker said. “But I’m pretty sure in one of the other sororities there was a major outbreak of COVID cases and their weekly chapter meeting had to go virtual because of that.”

Students who are sick are redirected to the Student Health Center on the third floor of Evans as this year, Lindenwood does not have a specific COVID-19 protocol.

“The University cares about the wellbeing of our campus community and takes student health seriously,” Lindenwood Assistant Vice President Julee Mitsler said. “There are no current protocols at Lindenwood University related to COVID-19. The university closely monitors guidance from the CDC and local health departments.”

Over the summer the number of hospitalizations has decreased. However, in the past few weeks there has been a rise in infections.

“Public health officials said that the latest increase in COVID hospitalizations is still relatively small and that the vast majority of the sick are experiencing mild symptoms comparable to a cold or the flu,” reporter Julie Bosman said in The New York Times.

This announcement is a reminder that as life seems back to the way it was pre-pandemic, it might never be that way again.

“But for Americans who have become accustomed to feeling that the nation has moved beyond COVID, the current wave could be a rude reminder that the emerging New Normal is not a world without the virus,” Bosman said.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reminds people to get an updated vaccine soon.

“CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older get an updated COVID-19 vaccine to protect against the potentially serious outcomes of COVID-19 illness this fall and winter,” the CDC said.