Discover the California Healthy Tips for Monitoring Covid in Wastewater

Wastewater Data Reveals High Levels of Covid in Multiple States

Seven US states , including California , Nevada , Oregon , Texas , Arkansas , Florida , and Maryland , have experienced very high levels of Covid in their wastewater , according to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . This marks the first time this summer that levels have reached the agency 's high category . Aron Hall , deputy director for science in the CDC 's Coronavirus and Other Respiratory Viruses Division , highlighted the patterns observed over the last few years during the summer months , indicating upticks in Covid activity consistent with previous trends.

In California 's San Francisco Bay area , Covid levels in wastewater have been comparable to the most recent winter surge , with data from Stanford University 's WastewaterSCAN project showing higher levels than the previous year and averaging similar peaks to those seen during the winter . Additionally , 26 states and Washington DC are witnessing significant increases in emergency room visits due to Covid , with a national rise of 115 percent in Covid ER patients since the previous month.

The latest national data reveals a test positivity rate of 11 percent for the week ending in July 6 , up from 9 percent the week before . Approximately 70 percent of infections in the past month have been attributed to the KP variants , which are a subset of the FLiRT strains , originating from the JN.1 strain . The summer surge , coupled with increased travel and indoor gatherings to escape the heat , is believed to be driving the current rise in cases . Despite this , experts suggest that existing immunity may help keep hospitalizations and deaths relatively low compared to previous spikes in Covid cases.

An additional 19 states , including New Hampshire , Maine , and Connecticut , are also reporting high levels of Covid in wastewater . The national wastewater surveillance program serves as an early warning system for monitoring Covid circulation , with surges in the virus often preceding a rise in confirmed cases and hospitalizations . Data from the CDC indicates a steady increase in Covid cases over the past 45 days , with some states in New England , such as Massachusetts , experiencing a moderate level of Covid circulation . Boston and surrounding areas have seen a significant increase in Covid levels in wastewater , with cases on the rise according to the Department of Public Health 's latest update . Vermont has a moderate level of virus circulation , while Rhode Island is currently reporting low levels of Covid.