New Lockdowns? US Faces Worst Covid Wave Since 2022

The United States is currently facing its most severe summer surge of COVID-19 in over two years, leading to a significant rise in infections and hospital visits. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), viral activity levels in the nation’s wastewater have reached their highest point since July 2022. As of August 10, the activity level in wastewater climbed to 8.82, slightly below the peak level of 9.56 recorded in July 2022.

Reports from U.S. media suggest that new vaccines targeting the latest variant, known as KP.2, could be available as early as September, pending approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

 

Rising Hospitalization Rates

CDC data indicates that COVID-19 hospitalization rates have risen to four people per 100,000 by the end of July, compared to just one per 100,000 at the end of May.

“This is a very significant surge. The levels are very high. They’re the highest we’ve ever seen during a summer wave,” said Dr. Marlene Wolfe, an assistant professor of environmental health and public health at Emory University and program director for WastewaterSCAN, in an interview with CNN. She also noted, “We’re detecting SARS-CoV-2 in 100 percent of our samples across the country right now.”

 

Factors Behind the Surge

The current surge is attributed to declining immunity among the population, along with the emergence of three new variants that evolved from the parent virus JN.1. The situation is further complicated as children in many parts of the country return to school, though it remains uncertain when this wave will peak.

 

Vaccines Expected in September

The Washington Post reported that Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna have developed new mRNA vaccines specifically targeting the KP.2 variant. These vaccines could be available for use as early as the first week of September, depending on when the FDA grants approval. In addition, Novavax is working on a protein-based vaccine, but it may take longer to become available.