COVID-19 Summer Surge Continues to Rise

Reports indicate that the summer surge of COVID-19 is showing no signs of slowing down. Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals an increase in a crucial measure for tracking the virus’s spread.

In a recent update, the CDC reported that national wastewater activity levels for COVID-19 have risen to a “moderate” status, up from “low” the previous week.

The data highlights that wastewater levels are currently highest in the Western U.S., with states such as Alaska, California, Colorado, Nevada, and Utah showing considerable increases.

The CDC explains that monitoring wastewater can detect the spread of the virus in a community earlier than clinical testing, allowing insights even before individuals exhibit symptoms. Elevated wastewater viral activity can signal a greater risk of infection.

Additional metrics also suggest a rise in COVID-19 cases. As of Tuesday, CDC estimates indicate that infections are increasing, or likely increasing, in 45 states—up from 40 the previous week.

While the weekly percentage of emergency room visits for COVID-19 remains low overall, there’s been a rise in ER visits related to the virus compared to the week prior.

With the recent spike in cases, CBS News’ chief medical correspondent mentioned on “CBS Mornings” that the patterns of seasonal surges have become apparent. He noted that typically, there’s a winter spike followed by a summer one and that the severity of hospitalizations and deaths has been gradually decreasing each season—a hopeful sign.

However, he cautioned that the increases shouldn’t be overlooked, especially for vulnerable groups like the elderly and immunocompromised, who could still experience severe illness.