The US is currently facing a significant surge in Covid-19 cases, leading experts to recommend the use of face masks and air purifiers. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is expected to update its wastewater dashboard, confirming that viral activity levels are the highest they’ve been since the pandemic began. Dr. Jonathan Yoder, from the CDC’s Wastewater Surveillance Program, stated that the COVID-19 wave is starting earlier than last year, with the highest levels in the Western US region.
Emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and deaths are on the rise, with hospitalizations increasing from a low of one per 100,000 people in May to four per 100,000 people as of the end of July. Dr. Marlene Wolfe, from Emory University and WastewaterScan, highlighted that SARS-CoV-2 is being detected in 100% of wastewater samples across the country.
Health officials are now using wastewater data to monitor the spread of the virus, as there are no longer reliable estimates of daily or weekly new infections. The surge in cases is attributed to waning immunity, new variants, and children returning to classrooms across the country. Dr. Peter Hotez, from Texas Children’s Hospital, noted that Houston’s wastewater numbers remain high and have plateaued for several weeks.
An updated Covid-19 vaccine is in the works to better protect against new variants, with expectations that Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax will have their updated shots ready in the coming weeks. Dr. William Schaffner, from Vanderbilt University, emphasized the importance of getting vaccinated and wearing high-quality masks in crowded indoor spaces.
In addition, Dr. Hotez recommended stocking up on Covid-19 tests and seeking out antiviral medication if testing positive, to help identify and mitigate the spread of the virus.