Earlier this year, the US experienced a major wave of COVID-19 in late summer. Infections at that time were driven by the rapidly spreading XFG variant, which has been named Stratus.
As the holiday season begins in the United States, health agencies are once again raising concerns. Festivals like Christmas and New Year's are driving large numbers of people to travel and attend indoor gatherings with family and friends. Meanwhile, cold weather, crowded spaces, and low vaccination rates are contributing to the rise in cases of both COVID-19 and influenza (flu). Health experts believe that infections could rise further in the coming weeks.
Earlier this year, the United States experienced a major wave of COVID-19 in late summer. Infections were driven by the rapidly spreading XFG variant, dubbed Stratus. Although cases declined slightly in the fall, COVID cases are now slowly rising again with the onset of winter. Additionally, a sudden surge in flu cases is also being observed, which could increase pressure on hospitals.
Are COVID-19 cases increasing rapidly at this time?
According to experts, while COVID-19 cases are increasing, the situation is not yet as severe as the peak winter waves of previous years. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of mid-December, COVID infections were increasing or expected to increase in 31 states. The situation was stable in 15 states, while only one state saw a decline in cases. According to CDC wastewater monitoring data, overall COVID-19 activity nationwide is currently classified as low. Despite this, 15 states have moderate or high levels of COVID-19 activity, most of which are in the Midwest region.
Meanwhile, data from the WastewaterScan program, run by Stanford and Emory University, shows that the concentration of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has increased by about 21 percent since November. Experts say that while flu cases are seeing a sharp surge, COVID-19 cases are increasing at a relatively slower pace. According to Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, COVID-related hospitalizations are also gradually increasing, especially among people 65 years and older. While this is a concern, it is also a familiar seasonal pattern seen every winter.
Why do Covid cases increase in winter?
Health experts say that COVID-19 can surge at any time of the year, but it typically occurs in two major waves: one in winter and the other in late summer. This is due to several factors, including waning immunity over time, the emergence of new and more contagious variants, people spending more time indoors due to the cold, and a sudden increase in travel and social gatherings during the holidays. All of these factors create more opportunities for the virus to spread.
Which US states are seeing the highest number of Covid and flu cases?
According to the latest data, the Midwest and Northeast of the US are experiencing the highest increase in COVID-19 cases. Based on CDC data as of December 18th, states with moderate or high levels of COVID-19 activity include Arizona, Connecticut, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and West Virginia. Health departments in these states are advising people to take precautions, stay up-to-date on vaccinations, and wear masks in crowded, enclosed spaces.
PC:ABPNews
