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Health officials report that COVID-19 infections are expanding in 34 states as students begin the fall academic term, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Federal health authorities have elevated national wastewater viral monitoring for COVID-19 from minimal to moderate levels, with Western regions, including Alaska, California, Colorado, Nevada, and Utah, showing the most significant viral presence. Laboratory test positivity climbed to 8.9%, representing a 0.6% jump from the preceding week, according to CDC surveillance data.
The current wave stems from the XFG variant, commonly known as "Stratus," which now accounts for approximately 65% of virus samples found in American wastewater systems. This strain first appeared in Southeast Asia in January before reaching American shores in March.
Hospital emergency visits related to COVID-19 increased by 19% from the prior week, with substantial growth documented in numerous states. Mortality rates showed a minor decrease during the latest reporting cycle.
Educational institutions nationwide have begun welcoming students for the new academic term, with traditional calendar schools typically commencing classes in mid-to-late August. Several districts that started earlier this month are expressing concerns about potential virus transmission in classroom settings.
Current COVID-19 immunizations from 2024 to 2025 continue to be accessible and remain recommended for most adults by federal health officials. Revised vaccines addressing current variants are anticipated for release during the autumn months, although immunization policies differ among districts and generally remain voluntary in educational settings.
Medical professionals observe that summer COVID surges historically reach peak levels between late July and August but may continue through September. The current increase mirrors patterns observed in previous years, although overall hospital admissions and fatality rates remain below previous highs.
Public health specialists recommend maintaining current COVID-19 vaccinations, conducting tests when symptoms appear, isolating when ill, using N95 masks in crowded indoor environments, and maintaining physical distance to guard against the Stratus variant. Existing COVID-19 vaccines are expected to continue protecting against serious illness from this variant, although breakthrough infections may still occur.
Families can prepare themselves for possible COVID-19 outbreaks by establishing clear communication channels with school officials regarding illness protocols, developing backup plans for remote education situations, and ensuring children know when to stay home from school, according to ABC News health coverage. Educational institutions are encouraged to collaborate with local health agencies in developing response plans that may include classroom or facility closures during outbreak situations.
Federal health agencies continue to track COVID-19 patterns through wastewater monitoring, emergency department statistics, and laboratory analysis to provide early warnings of community transmission, the CDC explains.
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