As of July 8, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that COVID-19 infections are growing or are likely growing in half of the United States. This increase is primarily observed along the West Coast, Southeast, and South regions. Despite the uptick in cases, the CDC maintains that the overall activity of COVID-19 remains “low” nationwide.
The CDC's modeling indicates that the probability of the COVID-19 epidemic expanding is highest in states such as California, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, and Ohio. This regional spike in cases is further corroborated by the agency’s wastewater monitoring dashboard, which shows Florida and Alabama leading the nation in viral activity levels. The most recent data from this monitoring was collected during the week leading up to July 5.
The current increase in COVID-19 cases is part of a predicted summer spike, which typically occurs from July to September. This phenomenon is part of a biannual pattern identified by the CDC, with a secondary spike usually occurring in the winter months, specifically from December to February. According to CDC scientists, “Our analysis revealed biannual COVID-19 peaks in late summer and winter, a pattern that is expected to persist as long as the rapid evolution of SARS-CoV-2 and cyclical S1 diversity continues.”
Despite the overall low activity, the CDC reports that a vast majority of the country has seen a “minimal” percentage of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 during emergency department visits in the past week. However, some states have documented a “substantial” percentage change in cases, notably New Mexico, Georgia, Kentucky, and Virginia.
The rising cases come amid reports of a new COVID-19 variant, referred to as NB.1.8.1. or “Nimbus.” This variant has been associated with a symptom described as “razor blade throat.” Reports from medical professionals in the United Kingdom, India, and other regions highlight this concerning symptom. In the United States, airport screenings have identified this new variant in travelers arriving from these affected areas, particularly to destinations like California, Washington State, Virginia, and New York.
As the situation continues to evolve, it is crucial for the public to stay informed about the latest developments regarding COVID-19 and its variants. The CDC will provide ongoing updates as new data becomes available.
