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At least 27 states report “very high” levels in wastewater data.
More than a portion of U. S. states are reporting “very high” degrees of COVID activity as the virus continues to spread and in many parts of the country, according to the latest wastewater data from the Centers for Disease Control and Disease Prevention.
At least 27 states report “very high” and 17 states report “high” viral activity in wastewater.
The western region continues to revel in levels, followed by the South, Midwest, and Northeast, respectively.
Current degrees are approaching, yet still decrease than, the winter months, when breathing ailments have a tendency to spread further.
Wastewater knowledge has limitations in how it is disseminated in a community, but it is arguably the most productive knowledge available, experts say.
“While wastewater is not the best measure, it is important to fill in the gaps left by the lack of comprehensive knowledge about reporting and hospitalization cases,” said Dr. John Brownstein, epidemiologist and chief innovation officer at Boston Children’s Hospital and ABC. News contributor. .
Many national surveillance systems have lost their effectiveness since the end of the national public health emergency, leaving the government with limited resources to monitor the spread of the virus.
“As classical surveillance systems decline, wastewater testing has some of the most reliable equipment we have for tracking COVID-19 activity in communities,” Brownstein added.
Other limited COVID tracking systems, such as emergency room visits and positive checks, are also increasing, according to CDC data. Deaths from the virus remain stable, especially compared to previous years.
Updated COVID vaccines are expected to be available this fall, according to federal health officials. The U. S. Food and Drug Administration requires vaccine brands to formulate shots based on the KP. 2 strain, an offshoot of the newly estimated omicron variant. represents around 6% of cases.
Genetic variants, known as KP. 3. 1. 1 and KP. 3, ultimately account for nearly a portion of estimated cases, according to CDC data.
The CDC has already recommended that everyone six months and older get an updated COVID vaccine this season. The advice will take effect as soon as vaccines are available, pending FDA authorization.
The expected delivery date for the updated COVID vaccines has not yet been communicated, but in previous years the vaccine was due to be available last August or September. Vaccine brands told ABC News they are able to ship doses as soon as possible. as soon as they receive the green light from the FDA.
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