Periodic COVID updates for the United States

TallGuyJohninBKK · July 11

CDC update thru July 5, 2024:

"COVID-19

Some areas of the country are experiencing consistent increases in COVID-19 activity, including increases in COVID-19 test positivity and emergency department visits and increases in rates of COVID-19–associated hospitalizations among adults 65+ at several sites. However, nationally COVID-19 activity remains low. Recent increases in activity level are from very low levels in April and May 2024, when they were lower than at any time since March 2020. CDC will continue to closely monitor trends in COVID-19 activity."

https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/data-research/dashboard/snapshot.html

Posted July 8:

https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home

Good news and bad news regarding COVID deaths in the U.S. They're at their lowest level of the pandemic as of the latest full update thru June 8, but that still means nearly 300 people per week continue to die from COVID weekly in the U.S., with COVID as either the primary or contributing cause as reported on their death certificates.

https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#trends_weeklydeaths_select_00

Source: Provisional Deaths from the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) National Vital Statistics System (NVSS).
Provisional data are non-final counts of deaths based on the flow of mortality data in NVSS. Deaths include those with COVID-19, coded to ICD–10 code U07.1, as an underlying or contributing cause of death on the death certificate. Death data are displayed by date of death (event).

...

Data during recent periods are incomplete because of the lag in time between when a death occurs and when a death certificate is completed, submitted to NCHS, and processed for reporting. This delay can range from 1 week to 8 weeks or more, depending on the jurisdiction. The most recent 3 weeks of mortality counts are shaded grey and mortality rates shown as dotted lines because NVSS reporting is <95% during this period.

TallGuyJohninBKK · July 11

Current Epidemic Growth Status

"As of July 02, 2024, we estimate that COVID-19 infections are growing or likely growing in 39 states and territories, declining or likely declining in 0 states and territories, and are stable or uncertain in 10 states and territories."

https://www.cdc.gov/forecast-outbreak-analytics/about/rt-estimates.html

TallGuyJohninBKK · July 12

CDC update for July 12, 2024:

https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home

CDC Current Epidemic Growth Status

As of July 09, 2024, we estimate that COVID-19 infections are growing or likely growing in 45 states and territories, declining or likely declining in 0 states and territories, and are stable or uncertain in 3 states and territories.

https://www.cdc.gov/forecast-outbreak-analytics/about/rt-estimates.html

https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#trends_weeklydeaths_select_00

TallGuyJohninBKK · July 13

US COVID-19 activity rising steadily

July 12, 2024

Respiratory illness viruses as a whole remain at low levels, but many parts of the countries are experiencing consistent increases in COVID-19 activity, which has been trending upward from very low levels, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said today in its latest updates.

Test positivity, emergency department (ED) visits, and hospitalizations—the main markers the CDC uses to gauge virus activity—are all rising, especially in seniors and especially in western states.

Earlier this week, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene said on X that COVID-19 infections are increasing in the city, and it urged people—especially seniors and people with underlying medical conditions—to consider wearing masks in crowded indoor settings.

(more)

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/us-covid-19-activity-rising-steadily

Amethyst · July 15

An unsourced trolling post has been removed.

TallGuyJohninBKK · July 19

CDC COVID update for July 19, 2024:

"Many areas of the country are experiencing consistent increases in COVID-19 activity. COVID-19 test positivity, emergency department visits, and rates of COVID-19–associated hospitalizations are increasing, particularly among adults 65+. CDC will continue to closely monitor trends in COVID-19 activity."

https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/data-research/dashboard/snapshot.html

https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home

COVID Deaths

The latest CDC update on weekly U.S. COVID deaths shows 385 as of the week ending June 22 (the last full-data week colored in blue below), up from a revised 342 tally for the prior week ending June 15. And up from a weekly low of 294 as of June 8.

Source: Provisional Deaths from the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) National Vital Statistics System (NVSS).
Provisional data are non-final counts of deaths based on the flow of mortality data in NVSS. Deaths include those with COVID-19, coded to ICD–10 code U07.1, as an underlying or contributing cause of death on the death certificate. Death data are displayed by date of death (event).

...

Data during recent periods are incomplete because of the lag in time between when a death occurs and when a death certificate is completed, submitted to NCHS, and processed for reporting. This delay can range from 1 week to 8 weeks or more, depending on the jurisdiction. The most recent 3 weeks of mortality counts are shaded grey and mortality rates shown as dotted lines because NVSS reporting is <95% during this period.

https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#trends_weeklydeaths_select_00

Current Epidemic Growth Status

"As of July 16, 2024, we estimate that COVID-19 infections are growing or likely growing in 42 states and territories, declining or likely declining in 0 states and territories, and are stable or uncertain in 6 states and territories.""

https://www.cdc.gov/forecast-outbreak-analytics/about/rt-estimates.html

TallGuyJohninBKK · July 20

US COVID-19 activity continues to rise steadily

July 20, 2024

The latest COVID indicators from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today showed more rises, with wastewater detections trending upward in all regions of the country, especially the West and South.

...

Surge in KP.3.1.1 detections

In its latest variant proportion projections, the CDC reported a big jump in KP.3.1.1 viruses, an offshoot of KP.3 that scientists this week said is poised to become dominant because of its higher infectivity and immune evasion. KP.3 and its relative, KP.3.1.1, together make up more than 50% of variant sequences.

...

Along with the CDC's report of high wastewater levels of SARS-CoV-2, WastewaterSCAN, a national wastewater monitoring system based at Stanford University in partnership with Emory University, notes that detections are in the high category, with no significant trend up or downward over the past 3 weeks. It said all regions of the country are in the high category, except for the Midwest, which is at the medium level.

(more)

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/us-covid-19-activity-continues-rise-steadily

TallGuyJohninBKK · July 26

CDC COVID update for July 26, 2024:

"Most areas of the country are experiencing consistent increases in COVID-19 activity. COVID-19 test positivity, emergency department visits, and rates of COVID-19–associated hospitalizations are increasing, particularly among adults 65+. Surges like this are known to occur throughout the year, including during the summer months."

https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/data-research/dashboard/snapshot.html

https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home

https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#trends_weeklydeaths_select_00

COVID-19

As of July 23, 2024, we estimate that COVID-19 infections are growing or likely growing in 36 states and territories, declining or likely declining in 1 state or territory, and are stable or uncertain in 5 states and territories.

https://www.cdc.gov/forecast-outbreak-analytics/about/rt-estimates.html

Maryland	Very High
Colorado	Very High
Wyoming	Very High
Dist. Of Columbia	Very High
Louisiana	Very High
Arkansas	Very High
California	Very High
New Mexico	Very High
Utah	Very High
New Hampshire	Very High
Washington	Very High
Florida	Very High
Texas	Very High
Minnesota	Very High
Missouri	Very High
South Carolina	Very High
Oregon	Very High
Nevada	Very High
Idaho	Very High
Massachusetts	Very High

"This map shows the median Wastewater Viral Activity Level of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) reported by wastewater treatment plants within each state or territory over the previous week. Wastewater monitoring can detect viruses spreading from one person to another within a community earlier than clinical testing and before people who are sick go to their doctor or hospital. It can also detect infections without symptoms."

https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/rv/COVID19-currentlevels.html

TallGuyJohninBKK · August 3

CDC COVID update for August 2, 2024:

COVID-19

"Most areas of the country are experiencing consistent increases in COVID-19 activity. COVID-19 test positivity, emergency department visits, and rates of COVID-19–associated hospitalizations remain elevated, particularly among adults 65+. Surges like this are known to occur throughout the year, including during the summer months."

https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/data-research/dashboard/snapshot.html

https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home

https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#trends_weeklydeaths_select_00

COVID-19

"As of July 30, 2024, we estimate that COVID-19 infections are growing or likely growing in 35 states and territories, declining or likely declining in 2 states and territories, and are stable or uncertain in 7 states and territories."

https://www.cdc.gov/forecast-outbreak-analytics/about/rt-estimates.html

With the absence of any comprehensive COVID infection testing and reporting program in the U.S. and reduced reporting of COVID hospitalization data, public health officials increasingly have turned to wastewater monitoring of COVID viral content as a primary indicator of COVID activity and trends in the country, as follows:

States with "very high" COVID wastewater levels:

North Carolina

Maryland

Colorado

Wyoming

Delaware

Dist. of Columbia

Louisiana

Arkansas

Alaska

California

New Mexico

Utah

Washington

Florida

Texas

Minnesota

Hawaii

Mississippi

Missouri

Kansas

South Carolina

Oregon

Idaho

"This map shows the median Wastewater Viral Activity Level of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) reported by wastewater treatment plants within each state or territory over the previous week. Wastewater monitoring can detect viruses spreading from one person to another within a community earlier than clinical testing and before people who are sick go to their doctor or hospital. It can also detect infections without symptoms. If you see increased Wastewater Viral Activity Levels of SARS-CoV-2, it might indicate that there is a higher risk of infection."

https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/rv/COVID19-currentlevels.html







		https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/rv/COVID19-nationaltrend.html

Edited August 3 by TallGuyJohninBKK

TallGuyJohninBKK · August 3

COVID spreading quickly in San Diego County

Health department recommends caution as summer wave crests

August 1, 2024

According to the latest public health update, San Diego County’s seven-day test positivity rate hit 20.5 percent last week, technically the second-highest number recorded since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and a sure sign that coronavirus is hitting the community hard this summer.

San Diego County, it seems, is running a little hotter than the state and nation in this leading indicator of viral activity.

The region’s latest test positivity results are one week more recent than comparable numbers for the state and nation. But looking back to two weeks ago, San Diego County’s rate was 19.3 percent, compared to the state rate of 13.8 percent and the nationwide rate of 14.3 percent.

(more)

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2024/08/01/covid-spreading-quickly-in-san-diego-county/

COVID summer surge: CDC data shows cases ‘very high' in California

July 31, 2024

A COVID summer surge has the virus hitting record levels in some areas.

The virus is booming nationwide and especially high in the west coast. CDC wastewater data map shows COVID is "very high" and 19 states, including California, are currently considered "very high" zones.

"I'm also hearing that everyone is getting it right now in the community," UCSF infectious disease expert Dr. Peter Chin-Hong said.

(more)

https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/covid-summer-surge/3609997/

Data shows severe COVID cases, deaths surging in Marin County

August 3, 2024

MILL VALLEY, Calif. (KGO) -- COVID cases are back with a vengeance in Marin County this summer.

Last month, the county saw its highest number of deaths from the disease in over a year.

"What we're seeing right now, are higher rates than we're seeing last winter," said Marin County's Public Health Officer Dr. Matt Willis.

(more)

https://abc7news.com/post/severe-covid-cases-deaths-surging-marin-county/15135575/

TallGuyJohninBKK · August 3

Where is COVID-19 spreading? These states have the highest COVID rates

Updated Aug. 3, 2024

The United States is in the midst of a summer wave of COVID-19 fueled by highly contagious, new variants sweeping the country from coast to coast. As summer travel peaks, experts are warning people to take precautions to stop the spread, no matter the COVID rates in your state.

Currently, levels of COVID found in wastewater are considered “high” nationally, for the first time since last winter. What's more, 44 states have "high" or "very high" levels individually, according to the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The West and South are being hit especially hard.

...

Cases may keep rising through the rest of the year, according to Michael Hoerger, Ph.D., assistant professor at Tulane University School of Medicine who leads the Pandemic Mitigation Collaborative’s data tracker. His models show the current wave is likely to peak on Sept. 11 at around 1.2 million new cases a day. (He uses wastewater data from Biobot Analytics, which used to provide the CDC its data.)

(more)

https://www.today.com/health/coronavirus/states-with-highest-covid-rates-2024-rcna163403

https://pmc19.com/data/PMC_Report_Aug02_2024.pdf

Edited August 3 by TallGuyJohninBKK

TallGuyJohninBKK · August 10

CDC COVID update for August 9, 2024:

COVID-19

"Most areas of the country are experiencing consistent increases in COVID-19 activity, with substantial increases in the southern United States. COVID-19 test positivity, emergency department visits, and rates of COVID-19–associated hospitalizations remain elevated, particularly among adults 65+. Surges like this are known to occur throughout the year, including during the summer months."

https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/data-research/dashboard/snapshot.html

https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home

https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#trends_weeklydeaths_select_00

With the absence of any comprehensive COVID infection testing and reporting program in the U.S. and reduced reporting of COVID hospitalization data, public health officials increasingly have turned to wastewater monitoring of COVID viral content as a primary forward-looking indicator of COVID activity and trends in the country, as follows:

https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/rv/COVID19-nationaltrend.html

"Wastewater (sewage) can be tested to detect traces of infectious diseases circulating in a community, even if people don’t have symptoms. You can use these data as an early warning that levels of infections may be increasing or decreasing in your community."

27 States with "very high" levels:

Alabama

Alaska

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Florida

Idaho

Kansas

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Mexico

North Carolina

Oklahoma

Oregon

South Carolina

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Virginia

Washington

Wyoming

"This map shows the median Wastewater Viral Activity Level of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) reported by wastewater treatment plants within each state or territory over the previous week. Wastewater monitoring can detect viruses spreading from one person to another within a community earlier than clinical testing and before people who are sick go to their doctor or hospital. It can also detect infections without symptoms. If you see increased Wastewater Viral Activity Levels of SARS-CoV-2, it might indicate that there is a higher risk of infection."

https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/rv/COVID19-currentlevels.html

Edited August 10 by TallGuyJohninBKK

TallGuyJohninBKK · August 16

U.S. weekly COVID deaths top 600+ for the most recent week through early August, up from a low of 302 in early June. The COVID testing positivity rate increased, as did the share of U.S. deaths due to COVID. The share of emergency department visits due to COVID declined slightly according to sampling data. There was no new update for sampling data on COVID hospitalizations.

From the CDC:

CDC COVID update for August 16, 2024:

"Many areas of the country are continuing to experience increases in COVID-19 activity, though other areas are experiencing declines in COVID-19 activity following increases this summer. COVID-19 test positivity, emergency department visits, and rates of COVID-19–associated hospitalizations remain elevated, particularly among adults 65+ and children under 2 years. Surges like this are known to occur throughout the year, including during the summer months."

https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home

https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#trends_weeklydeaths_select_00

With the absence of any comprehensive COVID infection testing and reporting program in the U.S. and reduced reporting of COVID hospitalization data, public health officials increasingly have turned to wastewater monitoring of COVID viral content as a primary forward-looking indicator of COVID activity and trends in the country, as follows:

"Wastewater (sewage) can be tested to detect traces of infectious diseases circulating in a community, even if people don’t have symptoms. You can use these data as an early warning that levels of infections may be increasing or decreasing in your community."

https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/rv/COVID19-nationaltrend.html

https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/rv/COVID19-currentlevels.html

Current Epidemic Growth Status for States

"As of August 13, 2024, we estimate that COVID-19 infections are growing or likely growing in 25 states, declining or likely declining in 5 states, and are stable or uncertain in 17 states."

https://www.cdc.gov/cfa-modeling-and-forecasting/rt-estimates/index.html

TallGuyJohninBKK · August 23

U.S. weekly COVID deaths reached a partial tally of 763 through early August, up from a low of 302 in early June, meaning U.S. COVID deaths now have more than doubled over the past two months. The rate of sampled hospitalizations due to COVID also increased through early August. But two other publicly reported COVID indicators plateaued in the latest update through mid-August, with the rates of sampled emergency department COVID visits and COVID testing positivity both remaining flat, albeit the latter at a very high 18% rate.

From the CDC:

CDC COVID update for August 23, 2024:

"Many areas of the country are continuing to experience increases in COVID-19 activity, though other areas are experiencing declines in COVID-19 activity following increases this summer. COVID-19 test positivity, emergency department visits, and rates of COVID-19–associated hospitalizations remain elevated, particularly among adults 65+ and children under 2 years. Surges like this are known to occur throughout the year, including during the summer months."

https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/data-research/dashboard/snapshot.html

https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home

* the three gray columns above indicate totals for those recent weeks remain partial.

https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#trends_weeklydeaths_select_00

With the absence of any comprehensive COVID infection testing and reporting program in the U.S. and reduced reporting of COVID hospitalization data, public health officials increasingly have turned to wastewater monitoring of COVID viral content as a primary forward-looking indicator of COVID activity and trends in the country, as follows:

"Wastewater (sewage) can be tested to detect traces of infectious diseases circulating in a community, even if people don’t have symptoms. You can use these data as an early warning that levels of infections may be increasing or decreasing in your community."

https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/rv/COVID19-nationaltrend.html

https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/rv/COVID19-currentlevels.html

Amethyst · August 23

An off topic trolling post has been removed.

TallGuyJohninBKK · August 24

What to Know About the KP.3.1.1 Variant of COVID-19

August 23, 2024

"Chances are, at least one person you know—and probably many people you know—have caught COVID-19 this summer. Ever since the “FLiRT” variants emerged this spring, the U.S. has been hit with one new variant after another, leading to a seemingly never-ending wave of cases. The amount of virus in wastewater has steadily risen since May and levels are now “very high,” in part because there’s yet another new variant on the scene: KP.3.1.1.

KP.3.1.1 was to blame for more than a third of new COVID-19 cases in the U.S. during the two weeks ending Aug. 17, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data show. And that’s a lot of cases: about one in 34 people in the U.S. currently has COVID-19, independent data scientist and infectious-disease modeler Jay Weiland tells TIME. CDC data also show that lots of people are testing positive and that hospital visits and deaths related to COVID-19 are on the rise.

...

“I think we’re at the peak of this summer wave,” he says. KP.3.1.1’s ascent might prolong the surge a bit, but Weiland thinks it’s unlikely to lead to a major second spike given how much immunity there currently is in the population.

The exception may be among kids who are returning to school while COVID-19 is still spreading widely. There may be a noticeable uptick in cases within that age group, Weiland says.

(more)

TIME

https://time.com/7014374/new-covid-19-variant-kp311/

https://twitter.com/JPWeiland/status/1827075333553607121

Edited August 24 by TallGuyJohninBKK

TallGuyJohninBKK · August 31

My summary: Amid the country's continuing mid-year COVID surge, U.S. weekly COVID deaths rose again to a partial tally of 881 for the week ending August 10, nearly triple the weekly low of 308 COVID deaths in early June. Still, the current weekly COVID deaths tally also remains about one-third of that reported at the beginning of 2024 amid the now-typical year-end surge. The rate of sampled hospitalizations due to COVID also continued increasing for the week ending August 10. But two other publicly reported COVID forward-looking indicators showed moderation in the latest update through August 24, with the rates of sampled emergency department COVID visits and COVID testing positivity both declining slightly, albeit the latter to a still very high 17% rate.

CDC COVID update for August 30, 2024:

"COVID-19 activity is elevated nationally, with continued increases in many areas and early signs of decline in others. COVID-19 test positivity, emergency department visits, and rates of COVID-19–associated hospitalizations remain elevated, particularly among adults 65+ and children under 2 years. Surges like this are known to occur throughout the year, including during the summer months."

https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/data/index.html

https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home

* the three gray columns above indicate totals for those recent weeks remain partial.

https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#trends_weeklydeaths_select_00

With the absence of any comprehensive COVID infection testing and reporting program in the U.S. and reduced reporting of COVID hospitalization data, public health officials increasingly have turned to wastewater monitoring of COVID viral content as a primary forward-looking indicator of COVID activity and trends in the country, as follows:

"Wastewater (sewage) can be tested to detect traces of infectious diseases circulating in a community, even if people don’t have symptoms. You can use these data as an early warning that levels of infections may be increasing or decreasing in your community."

https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/rv/COVID19-nationaltrend.html

https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/rv/COVID19-currentlevels.html

TallGuyJohninBKK · August 31

The latest August 30 COVID projections by independent COVID tracker and infectious disease modeler Jay Weiland, who is forecasting that the current surge should soon begin subsiding:

https://twitter.com/JPWeiland/status/1829650388511047960

Amethyst · August 31

An off-topic post commenting on a fellow forum member has been removed.

TallGuyJohninBKK · September 6

My summary: Amid new signs of easing in the U.S.'s continuing mid-year COVID surge, weekly COVID deaths rose again to a fully reported tally of 971 for week ending August 10, more than triple the weekly low of 308 COVID deaths in early June. Still, the current weekly COVID deaths tally remains less than half of that reported at the beginning of 2024 amid the now-typical year-end/holidays COVID surge.

The rate of sampled hospitalizations due to COVID reversed prior weekly increases and began declining for the week ending August 17. Two other publicly reported COVID forward-looking indicators -- Emergency Department visits and positive COVID testing rates -- continued modest prior declines in the latest update through August 31, though the positive COVID testing rate remained high at a 16.3% rate.

CDC COVID update for Sept. 6, 2024:

Weekly national summary

"COVID-19 activity remains elevated nationally, but there are continued signs of decline in many areas. COVID-19 test positivity, emergency department visits, and rates of COVID-19–associated hospitalizations remain elevated, particularly among adults 65+ and children under 2 years. Surges like this are known to occur throughout the year, including during the summer months."

https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/data/index.html

According to the CDC, the "early indicators" of COVID test positivity and COVID related Emergency Department visits both declined slightly for the week ending Aug. 31. The rate of COVID hospitalizations also declined slightly, but the rate of COVID-related deaths rose for the latest reporting periods. Deaths are typically a trailing indicator compared to the other statistics.

https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home

Reported COVID deaths in the U.S. reached nearly 1,000 (971) for latest finalized reporting week ending Aug. 10:

* the three gray columns above indicate totals for those recent weeks remain partial.

https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#trends_weeklydeaths_select_00

With the absence of any comprehensive COVID infection testing and reporting program in the U.S. and reduced reporting of COVID hospitalization data, public health officials increasingly have turned to wastewater monitoring of COVID viral content as a primary forward-looking indicator of COVID activity and trends in the country, as follows:

"Wastewater (sewage) can be tested to detect traces of infectious diseases circulating in a community, even if people don’t have symptoms. You can use these data as an early warning that levels of infections may be increasing or decreasing in your community."

https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/rv/COVID19-nationaltrend.html

https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/rv/COVID19-currentlevels.html

Edited September 6 by TallGuyJohninBKK

TallGuyJohninBKK · September 21

My summary: New weekly COVID deaths in the U.S. surpassed the 1,000 level by late August, the first time that had occurred since mid-March, even though broader signs continue to point to an easing of the country's mid-year COVID surge. The latest CDC update through September 7 showed the start of modestly declining rates of COVID hospitalizations, emergency department visits and COVID testing positivity rates.

However, the reported total of COVID deaths, generally a lagging indicator, reached a partial, incomplete total of 1,036 for the week ending August 24, after showing totals of 998 for the two prior weeks. The 1,036 tally for the week ending August 24 was the highest for the U.S. since 1,037 COVID deaths were reported for the week ending March 16.

CDC COVID update for Sept. 13, 2024:

Weekly national summary

* the three gray columns above indicate totals for those recent weeks remain partial.

https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#trends_weeklydeaths_select_00

Edited September 21 by TallGuyJohninBKK

TallGuyJohninBKK · September 21

My summary: New weekly COVID deaths in the U.S. surpassed the 1,000 level for the last four weeks of August, the first time that had occurred since March, even though broader signs continue to point to an easing of the country's mid-year COVID surge. The latest CDC update showed a substantial decline in COVID emergency department visits based on sampling data through the week ending September 14, and COVID testing positivity beginning to decline to a still high 14.9% rate for the week ending September 7.

However, the reported total of COVID deaths, generally a lagging indicator, reached a partial, incomplete total of 1,123 for the week ending August 31, after showing official totals for the three prior weeks of 1,139, 1,022 and 1,016. Those were the U.S.'s highest weekly COVID death tolls since comparable numbers in the first half of March, which was the tail end of the country's new-year COVID surge.

Weekly national summary

for the week ending Sept. 20, 2024

COVID-19

"There are continued signs of declines in COVID-19 activity in many areas. COVID-19 test positivity, emergency department visits, and rates of COVID-19–associated hospitalizations are decreasing."