About 20 states have detected “very high” levels of COVID-19 in their wastewater, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
This figure is higher than last week, when 17 states detected very high degrees, while only seven states detected very high degrees until July 15. An increase in grades discovered in wastewater may simply mean that more people are infected.
Massachusetts, Missouri and South Carolina have noted an increase in the number of sites reporting COVID-19 in their tea water, meaning they have all been reclassified as “very high. “Only one state, New York, had “low” levels of SARS-CoV-2 in the countries tested, while no data is available for North Dakota and Arizona.
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Newsweek analyzed official figures to create a map illustrating rates of COVID-19 in wastewater.
The map shows viral activity levels of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, measured across wastewater treatment plants across the country. Wastewater viral activity levels are classified as minimal, low, moderate, high or very. high.
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Fragments of SARS-CoV-2 can be detected in wastewater samples when other people with the virus use sinks, drains, and toilets. The virus can also be detected in sewage, even when other people have no symptoms.
This means that when wastewater is tested, the virus can be detected before clinical testing and before other people with health problems go to their doctor or hospital.
Wastewater data can also provide important information about whether the virus is increasing, decreasing, or staying the same in a community. If COVID-19 levels in wastewater start to rise, it could mean more people are infected. This is helping Communities act more temporarily as the virus spreads.
Kate Fowlie, a spokeswoman for the CDC, previously told Newsweek, “State and local health officials are tracking various data and collecting that data to understand the local situation and how to best respond to prevent the spread of the disease.
“Public health officials are tracking the increasing levels of viruses or bacteria expressed in wastewater and this knowledge to alert doctors, hospitals and the network so they can temporarily take appropriate action to protect the health of the population. “
The CDC reports that virus levels in the United States overall are on track to surpass last summer’s surge.
Two new COVID variants, known as FLiRT, are to blame for more than a portion of the surge in cases. Experts have found that newer variants are highly transmissible, but cause more severe disease.
The CDC has recommended anyone 6 months or older receive the updated 2024-2025 COVID vaccine, regardless of vaccination history.
Martha McHardy is a U. S. news reporter. founded in London, Unido. Se focuses on American politics and society. He has covered U. S. news extensively, adding the 2024 election and pro-Palestinian protests at U. S. universities. U. S. Martha joined Newsweek in 2024 from The Independent and in the past had freelanced at The Sun, The Mirror and MyLondon. He graduated from Durham University and did his NCTJ at News Associates. You can reach Martha by emailing m. mchardy@newsweek. com. Languages: English.
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