COVID Cases Update: Map Reveals Return of ‘Very High’ Water Virus Levels

After weeks of decline, “very high” levels of coronavirus have been detected in wastewater samples in the U.S.
“High” levels of viral activity are also on the rise with detections now in five U.S. states, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“Very high” levels of viral activity have been detected in Montana, with “high” levels in Arkansas, Maine, Minnesota, Nebraska and Wyoming.
Meanwhile, “moderate” levels have been detected in Arizona, Idaho, Kentucky, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Vermont. “Low” viral activity has been reported in 21 states with “minimal” levels—the lowest classification—in 14 states.
Viral levels in wastewater are a helpful indicator of disease prevalence within a population.
After a surge in COVID-19 cases this summer, infection rates seem to be on the decline. As of October 26, positive results account for only 5 percent of all tests, excluding at-home testing, in the U.S., down 0.6 percent from the previous week, according to the CDC data.
As of October 31, the overall viral activity level in wastewater across the country has been classified as “low” by the CDC, with the highest wastewater levels concentrated in the Midwest.
The map below shows which states have seen the highest detections in wastewater:
Is COVID on the rise?
Recent spikes in COVID-19 cases have been largely driven by a new class of subvariants nicknamed FLiRT after the position of the mutations on the virus’ spike proteins, the projections that allow them to enter our cells.
These proteins are also used as targets by immune systems and vaccinations, so changes in their structure can allow the virus to bypass the body’s defenses more easily. However, existing vaccines are likely to provide at least some form of protection against more severe symptoms and long COVID-19.
As of October 26, the now-dominant subvariant, KP. 3.1.1, accounted for more than 57 percent of all U.S. COVID-19 cases over the previous two weeks, according to the CDC, with the new XEC variant accounting for 17 percent.
While overall levels nationwide have declined since the summer surge, Montana’s rising wastewater detections may signal the beginning of a new wave of winter infections.
Despite changes in viral DNA, symptoms remain largely the same, according to the CDC:
More vulnerable individuals may still be at risk of severe illness, so it is important to self-isolate if you receive a positive COVID-19 test.
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