COVID-19 infections are rising across the vast majority of the United States, according to the latest epidemic data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Data released Wednesday show that infections are classified as “growing” or “likely growing” in 47 states amid a nationwide summer surge. No states are currently experiencing a decline in transmission, while only two states are categorized as “not changing.” While the CDC's tracking system does not measure exact case counts, it provides an early indicator of transmission trends nationwide.
The latest figures suggest elevated activity heading into the fall, a period that historically brings an increase in respiratory viruses. Health officials note that while the virus continues to spread, severe outcomes remain less common than in the earlier years of the pandemic. Other states that show a growing epidemic include Florida, North Carolina, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Alaska and Hawaii.
According to the map, states where infections are likely growing are Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia. States that are listed by the CDC as "not changing" are Louisiana and Mississippi. The agency's map has Iowa's epidemic trend "as not estimated" and that it's emergency department visit level is "very low." States that have large cities like California, New York, Pennsylvania and Illinois are also experiencing notable upticks.
The most common symptoms are sore throat, cough, congestion, fatigue, fever, and body aches, although some patients report nausea or diarrhea. Tyler Evans, an infectious disease physician and the CEO of Wellness Equity Alliance, said a sore throat is one symptom to especially pay close attention to. That mistake matters,” Evans told Newsweek.
So, we know this pattern, and it's repeating now. But it's not surprising,” Suraj Saggar, the chief of infectious disease at Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck, New Jersey, told Newsweek. He added: “Even though the word ‘surge’ can make it sound like cases are growing dramatically, it's important to remember that we're starting from a very low baseline.
If you have a very low number of cases to begin with, an increase can technically be called a surge, but it's still much lower than the summer surges we saw in 2021, 2022, and the years after that.” Unlike the initial years of the pandemic, the current wave has not prompted widespread school closures or class cancellations, though health officials continue to monitor trends as students return to classrooms and universities resume in-person instruction. Last week, San Perlita Independent School District in South Texas announced the temporary closure of all campuses, citing a growing number of COVID cases. The district said the shutdown was intended to help "protect the health and safety" of the school community while helping to prevent further spread.
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