Surge in COVID-19 Cases Across Multiple States as New Variant Takes Hold

COVID-19 cases are on the rise this summer across much of the United States, with 27 states indicating increasing or potentially increasing trends, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. By mid-July, states such as Texas, Illinois, Kentucky, Virginia, and Ohio noted upticks in cases. Emergency room visits related to COVID-19 now account for 0.5 percent of all visits nationwide, an increase from 0.3 percent at the season's onset. Experts observe that, despite low overall respiratory illness levels, COVID-19 exhibits seasonal spikes, likely driven by travel and events. Dr. Luis Ostrosky of UT Health Houston remarked on the influx of young children and older adults in emergency rooms with COVID-19 symptoms. The new variant NB.1.8.1, a descendant of Omicron XBB.1.5.1, currently dominates, constituting about 43 percent of new cases. As tracking case numbers becomes more complex with reduced testing, the CDC now relies on estimates and wastewater monitoring. Public health officials assert that seasonal gatherings contribute to ongoing transmission. Vaccination remains crucial, particularly for high-risk groups, and experts encourage routine vaccinations to maintain protection against circulating variants. The CDC’s estimates highlight rising infections in states including Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia,...

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