COVID-19 is on the upswing in the US
![COVID-19 is on the upswing in the US](https://globalnation.inquirer.net/files/2024/08/COVID-19.png)
COVID-19 positive. NQUIRER/STOCK PHOTO of COVID-19 positive test
COVID-19 hasn’t gone away, and data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests it’s on the upswing in the United States.
“We’ve seen these summer increases every summer that COVID-19 has been with us,” said Dr. Amesh Adalja, a Johns Hopkins University infectious disease physician. “What’s different about these cases this summer vs. prior summers is that they don’t translate into hospitals in crisis.”
Adalja said factors in the seasonal increase could be increased travel, people staying indoors to avoid the summer heat, and the virus’ continued evolution — which could help it get around people’s immunity.
Testing for COVID-19 is sporadic and the true number of cases isn’t clear because many infections aren’t reported. But one way to spot trends is to see what percentage of lab tests come back positive. By that metric, COVID-19 is surging, with nearly 15 percent of tests coming back positive vs. less than 1 percent for flu.
Nevertheless, doctors’ offices aren’t seeing an outsized share of people with symptoms of respiratory illness. The proportion of doctor visits for flu-like symptoms remains low.
Article continues after this advertisementREAD: COVID-19 pandemic cut global life expectancy by nearly two years – WHO
Article continues after this advertisementAnd COVID-19-related hospitalizations are rising, but they remain below the levels seen in winter — and far below the peaks seen earlier in the pandemic.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also tries to monitor the spread of the coronavirus by looking for it in sewage and other wastewater at participating sites across the country.
The most recent wastewater data — from the beginning of August — shows the highest levels since January. Detections were highest in the West and South, and lowest in the Northeast. The agency labels national wastewater viral activity level as “very high.”
Experts say to treat the data with caution because it has limitations.
“You just know it means there’s a lot of virus out there,” said Jennifer Nuzzo, a Brown University pandemic researcher. “But you don’t know how many people, how many infections that translates to.”
READ: EXPLAINER: What’s COVID FLiRT and variants now in PH?
Nevertheless, the wastewater data shows “there’s a whole lot of COVID out there,” she added.
Adalja suggested staying up to date on your vaccinations and that people at higher risk of a serious illness consider wearing masks in crowded, indoor congregated areas.
If you do get sick, note that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends staying away from other people until your symptoms are improving and you’ve been fever-free for 24 hours.
COVID-19 is now “basically part of the human condition,” Adalja said. “It’s unavoidable when you interact with humans.”
For more news about the novel coronavirus click here.
What you need to know about Coronavirus.
For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH Hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.
The Inquirer Foundation supports our healthcare frontliners and is still accepting cash donations to be deposited at Banco de Oro (BDO) current account #007960018860 or donate through PayMaya using this link.