Evidence from COVID-19 emergency room visits and wastewater monitoring indicates that COVID cases are growing nationally. COVID-19 hospitalizations in the U.S. have increased steadily since May 4, and COVID cases are growing or likely growing in 45 states and territories.  The summer surge is partly due to increased travel and indoor gatherings. Current vaccines and treatments should still protect against these variants and serious COVID illness.

COVID infections have historically spiked over the summer, partly due to the seasonal increase in travel and indoor gatherings. Experts expect this summer’s wave to be milder.

The CDC no longer tracks each positive case of COVID but data from COVID-19 hospitalizations, ER visits, deaths, and wastewater monitoring help us to know when cases are on the rise. As of June 26, 2024, the CDC estimates that COVID-19 infections are likely growing in 39 states. No states show evidence of cases declining.

The definition of what is considered a COVID-19 “wave” has changed, and we are seeing lower rates of COVID-19 cases each year (CDC). This summer’s uptick in COVID-19 cases is likely to be lower than what was seen in previous years with new variants.

It is still important for people at higher risk of severe COVID-19 infection to take precautions to avoid getting COIVD-19. This includes staying up to date on vaccinations and masking in public or crowded indoor spaces.

Updated COVID-19 vaccines will be available this fall and will attempt to target new variants. As of June 14th, public health officials have asked vaccine manufacturers to use the KP.2 variant to develop the vaccine to ensure that the COVID-19 vaccines (2024-2025 Formula) more closely match circulating SARS-CoV-2 strains.

It is still too soon to know to what extent last year’s COVID-19 vaccine protects against the LB.1 and other recent variants and research is needed to determine this.