COVID-19 infections are now likely on the rise in at least 12 states and the District of Columbia, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated Friday, and health officials believe the virus is accelerating again after a spring lull. I'm keeping an eye out for signs that it's starting to happen.
The CDC's modeling is based on data analyzed by the agency from emergency department visits, showing coronavirus outbreaks in Alaska, Arizona, California, Washington, D.C., Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Texas, and Washington state. This suggests that infectious diseases are on the rise. .
CDC map showing states with estimated increases or decreases in COVID-19 infections as of May 14, 2024. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
This increase comes as so-called “respiratory disease activity” remains at “low” or “minimal” levels under CDC benchmarks in nearly every region of the country, which is the lowest since early last spring. This is similar to the slowdown in the spread of the new coronavirus infection. summer.
As of May 10, the average number of emergency patients diagnosed with the new coronavirus across the country was 0.3%, far below last summer's peak of nearly 3% in late August. The number of new coronavirus infections reported in nursing homes is also near record lows nationwide.
Preliminary data from the CDC's COVID-19 wastewater surveillance also estimates that virus levels remain “minimal” nationwide, although virus levels appear to be on the rise in wastewater facilities across the West. is.
The predominant strains of the virus currently circulating are known as KP.2 and KP.1.1, informally referred to as the “FLiRT” variant. Health officials said the two strains are closely related to the JN.1 variant of this winter's outbreak, except for two small changes that could allow them to spread. .
A CDC spokesperson said on May 10 that “SARS-CoV-2 is less transmissible and we do not believe that variants are causing the increase in infections.”
“Based on current data, there is no indication that KP.2 causes more severe illness than other strains. CDC will continue to monitor community transmission of the virus and the effectiveness of vaccines against this strain.” a spokesperson said.
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