CDC: COVID-19 Cases Rising in Most States, Viral Activity Low

COVID-19 levels are continuing to rise across the United States, according to new data published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC data, updated last on Sept. 4, show that COVID-19 is growing or likely growing in 47 states. No data was available for Iowa, while Mississippi and Louisiana reported virus levels as unchanged.

The CDC said it is estimating that COVID-19 nationally and regionally “is increasing,” listing emergency department visits as being low—the second-lowest out of a five-tiered system. Community viral activity for the virus, however, was listed as very low.

While COVID-19 hospitalizations have stayed low, they are at the highest among children younger than 1 year old and adults who are aged 65 and older, the agency said in a separate update on Sept. 4.

According to a wastewater analysis released by the CDC on Sept. 4, 13 states are currently reporting very high, high, or moderate levels of COVID-19 activity.

Texas is reporting very high levels, while Hawaii, Arizona, Mississippi, and Montana are reporting high levels. Alaska, Nevada, California, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and Washington state are reporting moderate levels, according to a map from the CDC.

Every other state was listed as either low or very low, where data was available, the map shows.

Aside from COVID-19, the CDC said that seasonal influenza activity is considered low. Respiratory syncytial virus is considered very low in most areas in the United States, it said.

Rhinovirus and enterovirus are increasing nationally, said the CDC, adding that “these trends are expected for this time of year.” Those viruses cause respiratory infections such as a cough, fever, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath, while severe infections can progress to pneumonia and bronchitis, the agency said.

A bacterial infection, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, is at low levels in most places across the United States, it said. Known as “walking pneumonia,” the infection can cause tracheobronchitis or pneumonia in some cases.

Meanwhile, pertussis, a bacterial infection most commonly known as whooping cough, is continuing to circulate in the United States at lower levels compared to post-pandemic peaks, the CDC said. It’s considered highly contagious and causes the most risk for children aged 1 year or younger.

It comes as the Chinese Communist Party’s health agency said last month that more than 522,000 cases of COVID-19 were reported across the country, or a sixfold increase in cases. Experts who spoke with The Epoch Times on Aug. 20 estimated that the situation is far worse on the ground.