WAUSAU, Wis. – COVID-19 hospitalizations and positivity rates continue to drop in Wisconsin and around the country.

That’s leading many to de- bate if the COVID-19 pandem – ic is finally turning in to an endemic.

A pandemic is defined as an epidemic that has spread over several countries or continents, usually affecting a large num – ber of people according to the CDC.

"Within the medical field, we use the term endemic to de – scribe typically some kind of a pathogen that have become a permanent fixture within our life," said Craig Destree, MD, Aspirus Hospitalist. "Influen –

za, for example, even though that it's endemic in the sense that it always is with us, sometimes it gets a mutation that gets it to be particularly lethal." Experts believe COVID-19 could ultimately affect us in a similar way.

"This virus is certainly be having in a way where we think this is something that we’re going to have with us for the indefinite future and it's just going to be another cold and flu virus we come to live with,” he said.

Currently, though, COVID-19 is still dangerous, and it could be too soon to pre – dict what will happen in the near future.

"If we continue with vacci – nation efforts and get as much of the population vaccinated as possible, hopefully we'll con – tinue to speed up a process that was likely going to occur nat – urally on its own, but we can do that with having less people die in the process," Dr. Destree said.

Community members can help get us into an endemic stage by continuing to follow public health guidelines and get vaccinated and boosted. Getting boosted is partic ularly important while the omicron variant is circulating as immunity against omicron wanes very rapidly and the booster restores protection, es – pecially against severe disease.

“The number one thing that everyone can do is to get vac – cinated and boosted as soon as possible,” said Dr. Destree.

COVID-19 vaccinations are available through Aspirus Health and numerous phar- macies in our communities. Boosters or initial vaccina – tion series can be scheduled through Aspirus using the My – Aspirus online patient portal or mobile app. Appointments are also available by calling the Aspirus COVID-19 Call Cen – ter at 844-568-0701 or 715-843-1454. The Call Center has been experiencing high call volumes, so community mem –

bers are encouraged to use My –

Aspirus for convenience.