COVID-19 cases are rising nationwide this summer, as evidenced by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention wastewater data showing elevated viral activity levels. Notably, these levels have more than doubled in the western United States over the past month.
Specific states are reporting varying levels of activity: Montana and Florida testing sites indicate “very high” levels, while New Mexico, California, Georgia, Maryland and Connecticut report “high” levels.
Hospital data also reveals a 12.6% spike in emergency room visits related to COVID-19 during the week ending June 8, compared to the previous week.
The rise in cases may be linked to new COVID subvariants, including FLiRT and KP.3, as summer travel intensifies. However, public health officials emphasize that this situation is not as concerning as the initial years of the pandemic.
Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, a professor of medicine and infectious disease specialist at the University of California, San Francisco spoke to ABC News about the increases.
He said many people have already been sick with COVID-19 or vaccinated against the illness, “so that combined immunity gives a big force field that can help protect us during the summer … although most people will be fine, there are still some people that are going to get very sick.”
He said COVID-related deaths are primarily attributed to high-risk populations, such as those over 75 years old or immunocompromised individuals. To protect yourself, the CDC recommends staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, practicing good hygiene, staying home when feeling unwell and wearing a mask.