Post by Nadica (She/Her) on Aug 30, 2024 2:52:35 GMT
COVID is ‘high’ or ‘very high’ in almost every state. N.J. no longer in ‘low’ category. - Published Aug 29, 2024
No state has low levels of COVID activity anymore, as New Jersey’s rates climb, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data shows.
Wastewater data from samples taken on Aug. 22 shows “high” or “very high” levels of disease activity in 46 states, two more than the previous sample period.
No states have low wastewater levels. Michigan and New Jersey were the last two states reporting low levels; both now have “moderate” levels. Vermont and West Virginia round out the four states still reporting “moderate” levels.
New Jersey’s uptick comes as updates vaccines targeted to the latest strains of the virus begin to become available.
Wastewater testing has become a more reliable way to track disease activity as many Americans have shifted to at-home testing for COVID. New Jersey does not collect data on at-home test results.
New Jersey’s COVID activity level data comes from 15 different wastewater facilities across the state.
Neighboring New York and Pennsylvania have high disease levels, while Delaware has very high levels. Levels in those states remain unchanged from the previous sample period.
Most of the new cases are caused by the “FLiRT” variant, the CDC says. While it appears that FLiRT variants cause less severe illness than previous variants, there are several symptoms that set it apart:
sore throat
cough
fatigue
congestion
runny nose
fever or chills
headache
muscle aches
new loss of sense of taste or smell
nausea or vomiting
diarrhea
Immunocompromised people, older residents, and people with severe medical conditions continue to be at the greatest risk for severe COVID infections.
“We continue to see more mild disease, but that’s likely not because the virus is milder, but because our immunity is so much stronger now. After years of vaccinations and infections, most of the population is better able to fight off an infection without as much concern for severe disease,” Andy Pekosz, a professor in microbiology and immunology at Johns Hopkins University, told a school publication.
Avoiding crowded indoor areas, wearing a mask, and avoiding those who are sick with COVID are all ways to prevent catching the new FLiRT variant, health officials have said.
No state has low levels of COVID activity anymore, as New Jersey’s rates climb, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data shows.
Wastewater data from samples taken on Aug. 22 shows “high” or “very high” levels of disease activity in 46 states, two more than the previous sample period.
No states have low wastewater levels. Michigan and New Jersey were the last two states reporting low levels; both now have “moderate” levels. Vermont and West Virginia round out the four states still reporting “moderate” levels.
New Jersey’s uptick comes as updates vaccines targeted to the latest strains of the virus begin to become available.
Wastewater testing has become a more reliable way to track disease activity as many Americans have shifted to at-home testing for COVID. New Jersey does not collect data on at-home test results.
New Jersey’s COVID activity level data comes from 15 different wastewater facilities across the state.
Neighboring New York and Pennsylvania have high disease levels, while Delaware has very high levels. Levels in those states remain unchanged from the previous sample period.
Most of the new cases are caused by the “FLiRT” variant, the CDC says. While it appears that FLiRT variants cause less severe illness than previous variants, there are several symptoms that set it apart:
sore throat
cough
fatigue
congestion
runny nose
fever or chills
headache
muscle aches
new loss of sense of taste or smell
nausea or vomiting
diarrhea
Immunocompromised people, older residents, and people with severe medical conditions continue to be at the greatest risk for severe COVID infections.
“We continue to see more mild disease, but that’s likely not because the virus is milder, but because our immunity is so much stronger now. After years of vaccinations and infections, most of the population is better able to fight off an infection without as much concern for severe disease,” Andy Pekosz, a professor in microbiology and immunology at Johns Hopkins University, told a school publication.
Avoiding crowded indoor areas, wearing a mask, and avoiding those who are sick with COVID are all ways to prevent catching the new FLiRT variant, health officials have said.