The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is warning that the United States may be entering another summer COVID-19 wave.
Dr. Brendan Jackson, the CDC’s COVID-19 incident manager, told NPR that the agency has seen early indicators of a possible wave, including increases in the amount of coronavirus being detected in wastewater, the percentage of people testing positive for the virus, and the number of people seeking care for COVID-19 at emergency rooms.
Hospitalizations have also started to increase, jumping 10% to 7,109 for the week ending July 15, from 6,444 the previous week.
The increases are being seen most in the southeast, with the Midwest seeing the least amount of growth.
Overall, the numbers remain very low, far lower than in the last three summers. However, Jackson says that the CDC is monitoring the situation closely and will adjust its recommendations if necessary.
“For most people, these early signs don’t need to mean much,” he said. “But we’re going to be watching this very closely.”
The CDC is urging people to get vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19, and to wear masks in indoor public settings where there is a high risk of transmission.
The agency is also encouraging people to stay up-to-date on the latest COVID-19 guidance and to get tested if they have any symptoms.
