New England, the Central, North and Pacific states continue to be the areas with the highest COVID-19 infection rates in the country, according to the most recent data compiled through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Each week, the CDC produces a map that tracks virus positivity, which is the number of patients who test positive for COVID-19, one of the most reliable signs of the disease’s effect on the community. Checking positivity in the week ending October 7, shows a general relief in infections.
Nationwide, the positivity rate averaged 10. 1 percent, down 0. 8 percent from last week ending Sept. 30. Also that week, the positivity rate, at 10. 9 percent, had declined for the past few consecutive weeks.
That suggests infections have largely leveled off, but the CDC said cases could rise during the winter as other seasonal illnesses, such as colds and flu, surge, weakening people’s immune systems.
The hardest-hit states in the country were Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming, where the positivity rate was 13. 4%, the highest in the country.
It was followed by New Jersey and New York with a positivity rate of 11. 9%, while Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington had a rate of 11. 2%.
Other states with a positivity rate between 10 and 14. 9 were Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska (11); Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin (10. 6%); Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont (10. 2%).
South and East Coast states, from New Mexico to Pennsylvania, had the lowest prevalence of antigen tests in the week leading up to Oct. 7, between five and 9. 9 percent.
Newsweek reached out to the CDC for comment via email Saturday.
COVID-19 has once again come to the attention of the government and the American public after a surge in infections since last summer, leading to a surge in hospitalizations across the country.
“Although hospitalizations are rising, existing levels are still well below what was seen at the peak of summer 2022, when there were an average of 1,287 COVID patients hospitalized each day,” Los Angeles County Health Department officials said in August.
In reaction to a potential new wave of infection and in light of the emergence of two new variants, EG. 5 and BA. 2. 86, the new mask mandates generally fell earlier this year after the Biden administration officially declared the health emergency over. – Physical care facilities and other public places were incorporated in at least 3 states last month.
Giulia Carbonaro is a Newsweek journalist based in London, UK. It focuses on politics, global affairs, and U. S. housing. He extensively covered the ups and downs of the U. S. housing market. He provided insight into the ongoing war in Ukraine. . Giulia joined Newsweek in 2022 from CGTN Europe and in the past worked at the European Central Bank. He graduated from Nottingham Trent University. Languages: English, Italian, French.
Giulia can be reached by emailing g. carbonaro@newsweek. com.
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