COVID-19 Cases Surge Across the US as CDC Declares the Virus Endemic

Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that 27 states have reported "very high" levels of COVID-19 activity as of Aug. 9, 2024. Using wastewater analysis, the CDC has identified widespread viral activity:

• 27 states reported "very high" levels
• 5 states reported "low" levels
• 4 states and 1 territory reported "medium" levels
• 1 state and 1 territory reported "high" levels
• 12 states and 1 district reported "no data"

During an interview with NPR, CDC officials stated that COVID-19 is now endemic, with Aron Hall, deputy director for science, confirming, "At this point, COVID-19 can be described as endemic throughout the world."

According to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, an endemic disease regularly circulates within a community at expected levels, with occasional outbreaks.

Latest COVID-19 Variants and Symptoms:

• The CDC's Nowcast data tracker projects the KP.3.1.1 variant accounting for 27.8% of infections, followed by KP.3 at 20.1% for the period of July 21 to Aug. 3, 2024.
• Rosa Norman, a CDC spokesperson, stated that the symptoms associated with KP.3 and KP.3.1.1 are similar to previous variants, with no unique symptoms identified yet.
• Standard COVID-19 symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, aches, headache, loss of taste/smell, sore throat, congestion, nausea, and diarrhea.
• Seek medical attention for severe symptoms like trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion, or discolored skin.

Regional COVID-19 Positivity Rate Changes:

Data as of Aug. 12, 2024, shows the following changes in COVID-19 positivity rates across HHS regions:

• Region 1: +1.4%
• Region 2: -1.3%
• Region 3: +1.3%
• Region 4: +1.4%
• Region 5: +2.1%
• Region 6: +1.5%
• Region 7: +0.9%
• Region 8: -1.2%
• Region 9: -3.1%
• Region 10: +1.2%

For more information, refer to the original sources: CDC, NPR interview, and South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control