KIRBY LEE-USA TODAY SPORTS
A receives a COVID-19 test before an NHL game between the Anaheim Ducks and Dallas Stars at the Honda Center in March 2022 in Anaheim, California. Coronavirus levels have especially risen in wastewater across the country, an indication that the summer surge continues to grow.
Coronavirus levels have increased in wastewater across the country, a sign that the summer crisis continues to worsen.
National virus measurements in wastewater reached “high” levels for the first time this summer, according to estimates released Friday through the U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. COVID-19 is developing or most likely developing in 44 states and the nation’s capital. , the firm reported.
And for the first time since winter, California has “very high” levels of coronavirus in its tea water, according to CDC data for the week ending July 6. California is one of seven states in this category; the others are Arkansas, Florida, Maryland, Nevada, Oregon and Texas. Nineteen other states, covering all regions of the country, have maximum levels of coronavirus in tea water.
Coronavirus degrees in California’s wastewater are now estimated to be particularly higher than last summer. And in Northern California, two of the largest wastewater basins, covering San Jose and Palo Alto in Santa Clara County (the region’s most populous county), reported peak levels of the virus in wastewater.
In addition, the pace at which COVID controls are returning with positive effects in California has nearly reached last summer’s peak. During the week ending July 8, 13% of reported controls were positive; The rate for the comparable week of the previous month was 4. 8%. The rate of positive delinquent checks almost surpasses last summer’s peak, which was 13. 1% in August and early September.
In Los Angeles County, the most populous in the country, coronavirus levels in wastewater have increased significantly.
In addition, “we are seeing an increase in COVID-19 cases, emergency room visits, and hospitalizations,” the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said in a statement to the Times. “It’s too early to say whether or not there will be a bigger wave this summer than there was last summer. “
According to the most recent data available, during the 10-day period ending June 29, coronavirus levels in Los Angeles County tea water were at 27% of last winter’s peak, according to the Department of Health. Health. This represents a significant increase from the last comparable era ending June 22, which is 17% of last winter’s peak.
COVID cases in the county have also increased. For the week ending July 7, there were an average of 307 new cases per day, compared to 121 per day the previous month. Last summer’s peak was a daily average of 571 cases for the week ending Aug. 26.
Officially reported cases are underestimated, as they only reflect the effects of tests performed in medical centers and not tests performed at home. Additionally, fewer people are getting tested for COVID when they are sick. But measuring the number of cases is still useful for assessing general trends.
The percentage of emergency room visits for similar coronaviruses in Los Angeles County is also increasing. During the week ending July 7, 2. 5% of emergency room visits were coronavirus-like; A month ago, it was 1. 5%. Last summer’s peak was recorded in the week ending August 27, when 5. 1% of emergency room visits were coronavirus-like.
The mid-year surge in COVID cases began in May and came earlier than usual. Previously, the midyear accumulated cases and hospitalizations in Los Angeles County in early July, in 2021 and 2023, but in early May 2022.
Kaiser Permanente Southern California continues to see an increase in cases, most commonly among outpatients, officials said.
“The numbers continue to emerge little by little,” said Dr. Kelly. Elizabeth Hudson, regional infectious disease leader at Kaiser Southern California. “We’ll have to see where things happen now, because we’re past the 4th of July, and that’s when we start to see a bigger building if we happen to see it. “
Health officials from coast to coast are closely monitoring the buildup of infections. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene on Tuesday suggested citizens wear masks, especially in crowded indoor environments and especially for others at higher risk. given the increase in cases in that country. “Mask, New York!” the company said in a social media post, which features a depiction of masked passengers on public transportation.
The surge in coronavirus infections comes as a new class of subvariants called FLiRT, which are estimated to be 20% more transmissible than the dominant winter subvariant, is on the rise. The national samples belonged to the FLiRT subvariants, officially known as KP. 3, KP. 2 and KP. 1. 1. This represents an increase from 54. 9% from the previous month.
The CDC has not known of any states where the summer COVID surge is declining or likely to be declining. Three states had a strong or doubtful trend in COVID cases: Hawaii, New Mexico and Oregon, according to the CDC. No estimates were available for Missouri, Wisconsin or Wyoming.
Distributed through Tribune Content Agency, LLC on the back of Tribune Stories.