Colossal Summer COVID-19 Wave Hits U.S.

August 19, 2024

According to the latest from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) wastewater dashboard, the United States is experiencing a summer COVID-19 wave of infections. Nationally, the wastewater viral activity level for COVID-19 is currently “very high,” and the West has seen the highest wastewater viral activity level.

As of Aug. 10, the CDC’s measure of national COVID-19 viral activity in wastewater reached 8.82—a number slightly lower than a July 2022 peak. Before levels started growing again in May, viral activity was as low as 1.36. This year’s COVID-19 wave is coming earlier than last year’s, which occurred in late August/early September.

Emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and deaths are also growing. As of the end of July, about four patients are being hospitalized for COVID-19 for every 100,000 people in a given area, up from a low in May of about one COVID-19 hospitalization for every 100,000 people—the lowest level since the pandemic began, the CDC reported.

While hospitalizations were tracking lower than last year, in June, this year’s numbers began to surpass last year’s hospitalizations. CNN reported the increase in cases is being driven by waning immunity and new variants that have shifted enough to escape the ability of antibodies to quickly neutralize them.

Latest Articles

Dean Mercado
August 21, 2025 Jeff Cross

Busyness vs. Business in the Age of AI

August 19, 2025 Jeff Cross

For BSCs, Big or Small, Strategy Decides It All

August 18, 2025

Everyday Champions: Facility Professionals Recognition Program

Sponsored Articles

Everyday Champions: Facility Professionals Recognition Program
August 18, 2025

Everyday Champions: Facility Professionals Recognition Program

August 6, 2025

Your Public Restroom Could Be Costing You: Why Inclusive Hygiene Matters

July 29, 2025 Sponsored by OPTISOLVE

Beyond Automation: How SAVI 360 Supports Frontline Cleaning Teams

Recent News

Professional cleaning service team

Recurring Client Relationships Drive Cleaning Market Gains

Lyme Disease Cases Increase in Warmer, Humid World

Spread of Legionnaires’ Disease Linked to Outdated Building Regulations