Epoch HealthCDC Says ‘Very High’ COVID-19 Levels Reported in 32 States

Read the original article

The CDC reports a significant surge in COVID-19 cases across the United States, with 32 states and Washington DC experiencing “very high” levels of the virus. This increase is primarily driven by two new Omicron variants, KP.3 and KP.3.1.1, which now account for more than half of all reported US cases.

Key Points:

• COVID-19 levels are “very high” in 32 states and DC, and “high” in 11 states, based on CDC wastewater data as of August 15, 2024.
• Omicron variants KP.3.1.1 and KP.3 account for 36.8% and 16.8% of positive infections, respectively.
• Despite the case surge, COVID-19 related deaths remain at record low levels, with 618 deaths recorded for the week ending August 3, 2024.
• COVID-19 has dropped to the 10th leading cause of death in the US, down from being the third leading cause early in the pandemic.
• The CDC anticipates current COVID-19 treatments and vaccines will remain effective against circulating variants.
• An FDA advisory panel recommended that major US vaccine makers target JN.1-derived variants for fall 2024 vaccines.
• Pfizer and BioNTech reported that their experimental mRNA combination COVID-19 and influenza vaccine did not meet one of two primary goals in a late-stage trial.

“We remain optimistic about our combination COVID-19 and influenza program, for which we are evaluating the next steps.”
– Annaliesa Anderson, Pfizer’s head of vaccine research and development

More on Vaccines/Immunizations