CDC Reports High Levels of COVID-19 in Wastewater Nationwide

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced that the overall level of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater across the United States is now classified as "high," marking the first occurrence of this level since last winter. This increase is particularly pronounced in western states, where trends began to worsen last month. Additionally, the average percentage of emergency room patients diagnosed with COVID-19 has surged by 115% over the past month, reaching its highest point since February. In Florida, COVID-19 levels have also risen to "moderate," reflecting a wave of infections not seen since the previous winter. Aron Hall, deputy director for science in the CDC's Coronavirus and Other Respiratory Viruses Division, noted that while the current uptick mirrors patterns observed in previous summers, it does not appear to be more severe than past summer waves. Hall emphasized the importance of vaccination and treatment for those at higher risk, suggesting that while the situation is concerning, it is not cause for alarm. The CDC's updated forecasts indicate that COVID-19 infections are increasing in nearly all states, with only Hawaii, Oregon, and New Mexico showing stable or uncertain trends. In Hawaii, emergency room visits have declined after peaking at levels higher than previous waves. The CDC's latest variant projections reveal that the KP.3 variant now accounts for over a third of infections, but there is no evidence of increased severity associated with this or other variants.