During the summer vacation season and with more Americans gathering indoors to escape the heat waves, there has been a resurgence in COVID-19 infections.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that infections are increasing or likely increasing in 39 states. Although the agency no longer tracks the number of coronavirus cases, it now relies on data from emergency department visits and wastewater testing in each state.
Most of the states where infections are on the rise are coastal states such as California, Oregon, Washington, Florida, Maryland, Virginia, and the Carolinas. Northeastern states, states in the Deep South, and the Great Lakes region have also been identified as “growing” in terms of infections.
California, Arizona, and Florida currently have the highest likelihood of an increase in infections based on the available data.
According to the CDC, there are no states showing a decline in cases at the moment. However, some states like Alaska, Nevada, Utah, Oklahoma, North Dakota, Iowa, Tennessee, Ohio, and Connecticut have stable numbers of cases.
In the second week of June, COVID-19 test positivity rose from 5.4% to 6.6%, as reported by the CDC, indicating the beginning of the anticipated summer wave of infections.
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Historically, summer is a period when coronavirus cases tend to spike due to increased travel and other contributing factors.
The primary variant of the virus currently seen across the country is KP.3, a member of the FLiRT variant group that has been prevalent for the past few months, according to data from the CDC. This group of mutations, which includes variants starting with KP or JN, is identified by a specific position in the spike protein, as noted by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
CDC’s guidance for preventing and limiting the spread of COVID-19 still includes getting vaccinated, disinfecting and ventilating your living space, practicing social distancing, and wearing masks. If infected, the latest advice is to isolate yourself at home until symptoms improve and you are fever-free for at least 24 hours, with continued precautions for the subsequent five days.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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