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More than a portion of U. S. states have been able to use the U. S. U. S. citizens are reporting “very high” levels 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 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.
The current degrees are approaching, but still lower than those in the winter months, a time when respiratory illnesses tend to spread more.
Wastewater data has limitations in its representation of spread in a community, but it could be the most productive information you can have, 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 reach since the end of the national public health emergency, leaving the government with limited resources to monitor the spread of the virus.
“As classic 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 surveillance 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 is having vaccine makers formulate shots based on the KP. 2 strain, an offshoot of the Omicron variant lately estimated to account for about 6% of cases.
The genetic variants, known as KP. 3. 1. 1 and KP. 3, lately account for nearly a portion of estimated cases, according to CDC data.
The CDC has already mandated that anyone over the age of 6 months receive an updated COVID vaccine this season. The recommendation will take effect as soon as vaccines are available, pending FDA approval.
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 in a position to ship doses as soon as possible. as soon as they get the green light from the FDA.
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