COVID cases on the rise across the country

COVID cases on the rise across the country as updated vaccines are in the works

By Maddie Gannon Washington, D.C.

PUBLISHED 1:48 PM ET Aug. 06, 2024 PUBLISHED 1:48 PM EDT Aug. 06, 2024

Cases of COVID-19 are on the rise in areas throughout the country.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows as of July 30, infections were growing or likely growing in 35 states and territories, particularly those located in the South and Midwest.

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Data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention shows as of July 30, infections were growing or likely growing in 35 states and territories, particularly those located in the south and midwest

The percentage of positive COVID tests per week, meanwhile, has seen a consistent increase for nearly three months, CDC data shows, with the test percent positivity reaching 16.3% as of July 27

The CDC has currently marked the wastewater viral activity level for COVID-19 – which the agency says can be seen as an “early warning” that an infectious disease is increasing or decreasing in a community – as high around the country

A committee for The Food and Drug Administration in June decided to recommend manufacturers develop updated vaccines for the fall which are expected to be available within the next two months

The percentage of positive COVID tests per week, meanwhile, has seen a consistent increase for nearly three months, CDC data shows. As of July 27, the test percent positivity reached 16.3%, an increase from 3.1% as of May 11 and the highest since early 2022, according to the data from the CDC. The percentage of deaths due to COVID-19 per week remains significantly lower than earlier in the pandemic.

The CDC has currently marked the wastewater viral activity level for COVID-19 – which the agency says can be seen as an “early warning” that an infectious disease is increasing or decreasing in a community – as high around the country. The west region currently has the highest wastewater activity level for COVID, with both the west and the south region sitting above the national level.

Earlier this summer, the CDC recommended everyone aged six months and older receive the updated 2024-2025 vaccine to protect against the virus this fall and winter as soon as they are available.

A committee for The Food and Drug Administration in June decided to recommend manufacturers develop updated vaccines for the fall that target the KP.2 strain, one of the so-called FLiRT variants. Updated vaccines as expected to be available within the next two months.