COVID Wastewater Levels Jump 105% in August as 47 States See Rising Infections

3 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · Aug 22

WastewaterSCAN data shows U.S. COVID levels reached the “high” category in August, up 105% from July after concentrations doubled each month since June.
CDC estimates infections are growing or likely growing in 47 states, with the rise first showing in the South and West before becoming clearer nationwide by late July and early August.
Experts say the annual summer wave is being driven by waning immunity, new variants and more indoor contact during heat and back-to-school season, even as COVID continues its now-familiar summer and winter pattern.
Emergency-department visits remain very low, so specialists describe this as an early, relatively small summer wave rather than a major surge, though older adults, infants and immunocompromised people still face higher risk.
Doctors recommend proportionate precautions—updated vaccination, testing when sick, better ventilation, masks around vulnerable people and antivirals when appropriate—as severe illness stays low.