Post by Nadica (She/Her) on Sept 17, 2024 2:50:47 GMT
COVID-19 cases are 'high' in Wisconsin, according to new CDC wastewater data - Published Sept 16, 2024
By Alex Groth
COVID-19 cases in Wisconsin and across nearly half of the United States are at "high" and "very high" levels of activity at the end of the summer, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDC monitors wastewater data to track the virus, which can lag a couple weeks behind current case counts. Data at the end of August showed nearly half of all states reporting "very high" levels of wastewater viral activity, although current levels of COVID-19 are still much lower now than during the highs reported at the height of the pandemic.
In Wisconsin, the CDC reported the state showing "high" levels of wastewater viral activity.
Here's a look at the data:
Levels of COVID-19 in Wisconsin wastewater currently 'high,' says CDC
Wastewater viral activity levels are detecting 'high' levels of the COVID-19 virus in Wisconsin and have been increasing since early summer, according to the CDC.
While the CDC and Wisconsin Department of Health Services do not track individual COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations due to COVID-19 have been increasing since the spring and were around 200 patients at the first week of September, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
What is the current COVID-19 variant in Wisconsin?
The CDC estimates the KP.3.1.1 variant, part of the Omicron family, makes up about half of COVID-19 infections and the KP.2.3 variants makes up about one in 10 infections during the start of September.
"The KP.3.1.1 variant is very similar to other circulating variants in the United States. All current lineages are descendants of JN.1, which emerged in late 2023," Rosa Norman, a spokesperson at the CDC, previously told USA TODAY.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
Typical COVID-19 symptoms can show up 2 to 14 days after contact with the COVID-19 virus. People with COVID-19 may only have a few symptoms, and can have none. Some people can have symptoms that progress about 7 to 14 days after symptoms start. According to the Mayo Clinic, COVID-19 symptoms can include:
Dry cough
Shortness of breath
Loss of taste of smell
Extreme tiredness, also known as fatigue
Digestive issues, such as upset stomach, vomiting, or diarrhea
Pain, such as headaches, body or muscle aches
Fever or chills
Cold-like symptoms, such as congestion, runny nose, or sore throat
When and where is the COVID-19 vaccine available in Wisconsin?
COVID-19 vaccines in Wisconsin are administered by health care providers, local pharmacies and other community clinics. You can visit vaccines.gov to find your nearest vaccine provider.
COVID-19 vaccines are free at Milwaukee Health Department immunization clinics to the following individuals:
Children (18 and younger) with Badgercare/Medicaid or uninsured
Adults (19 and older) who are uninsured
How to treat COVID-19:
People with COVID-19 usually can recover at home, and some require additional medical care. Mayo Clinic recommends the following medications to help with symptoms:
Fever reducers
Pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen
Cough syrup or medicine
For those who are at high risk of severe COVID-19, your doctor may prescribe medicine such as Paxlovid and Lagevrio. These medications stop COVID-19 from replicating, which reduces the risk of severe COVID-19.
What is long COVID?
Symptoms for long COVID can last weeks, months or years, according to the CDC. General symptoms include tiredness or fatigue, symptoms that get worse after physical or mental effort, fever. You can find a full list of symptoms on the CDC's website.
Most people with long COVID see improvement after three months, and other people may see improvement up to six months after the virus, according to the CDC. Long COVID symptoms can result in disability.
By Alex Groth
COVID-19 cases in Wisconsin and across nearly half of the United States are at "high" and "very high" levels of activity at the end of the summer, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDC monitors wastewater data to track the virus, which can lag a couple weeks behind current case counts. Data at the end of August showed nearly half of all states reporting "very high" levels of wastewater viral activity, although current levels of COVID-19 are still much lower now than during the highs reported at the height of the pandemic.
In Wisconsin, the CDC reported the state showing "high" levels of wastewater viral activity.
Here's a look at the data:
Levels of COVID-19 in Wisconsin wastewater currently 'high,' says CDC
Wastewater viral activity levels are detecting 'high' levels of the COVID-19 virus in Wisconsin and have been increasing since early summer, according to the CDC.
While the CDC and Wisconsin Department of Health Services do not track individual COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations due to COVID-19 have been increasing since the spring and were around 200 patients at the first week of September, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
What is the current COVID-19 variant in Wisconsin?
The CDC estimates the KP.3.1.1 variant, part of the Omicron family, makes up about half of COVID-19 infections and the KP.2.3 variants makes up about one in 10 infections during the start of September.
"The KP.3.1.1 variant is very similar to other circulating variants in the United States. All current lineages are descendants of JN.1, which emerged in late 2023," Rosa Norman, a spokesperson at the CDC, previously told USA TODAY.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
Typical COVID-19 symptoms can show up 2 to 14 days after contact with the COVID-19 virus. People with COVID-19 may only have a few symptoms, and can have none. Some people can have symptoms that progress about 7 to 14 days after symptoms start. According to the Mayo Clinic, COVID-19 symptoms can include:
Dry cough
Shortness of breath
Loss of taste of smell
Extreme tiredness, also known as fatigue
Digestive issues, such as upset stomach, vomiting, or diarrhea
Pain, such as headaches, body or muscle aches
Fever or chills
Cold-like symptoms, such as congestion, runny nose, or sore throat
When and where is the COVID-19 vaccine available in Wisconsin?
COVID-19 vaccines in Wisconsin are administered by health care providers, local pharmacies and other community clinics. You can visit vaccines.gov to find your nearest vaccine provider.
COVID-19 vaccines are free at Milwaukee Health Department immunization clinics to the following individuals:
Children (18 and younger) with Badgercare/Medicaid or uninsured
Adults (19 and older) who are uninsured
How to treat COVID-19:
People with COVID-19 usually can recover at home, and some require additional medical care. Mayo Clinic recommends the following medications to help with symptoms:
Fever reducers
Pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen
Cough syrup or medicine
For those who are at high risk of severe COVID-19, your doctor may prescribe medicine such as Paxlovid and Lagevrio. These medications stop COVID-19 from replicating, which reduces the risk of severe COVID-19.
What is long COVID?
Symptoms for long COVID can last weeks, months or years, according to the CDC. General symptoms include tiredness or fatigue, symptoms that get worse after physical or mental effort, fever. You can find a full list of symptoms on the CDC's website.
Most people with long COVID see improvement after three months, and other people may see improvement up to six months after the virus, according to the CDC. Long COVID symptoms can result in disability.