Cases of COVID-19 are high in 14 of the 50 U.S. states, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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Cases are highest predominately in the West North Central and Western U.S., with experts saying that cases are likely to rise further over the winter months. Newsweek has contacted the CDC for comment by email.
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A map produced by the CDC shows that the percentage of COVID-19 tests that were positive over the week leading up to October 21 has risen in numerous states. Of the following states, which have the highest number of positive tests being recorded, the change over the last week is:
- Arizona: 0.6 percent
- California: 0.6 percent
- Colorado: minus 0.4 percent
- Hawaii: 0.6 percent
- Iowa: 1.2 percent
- Kansas: 1.2 percent
- Missouri: 1.2 percent
- Montana: minus 0.4 percent
- Nebraska: 1.2 percent
- Nevada: 0.6 percent
- North Dakota: minus 0.4 percent
- South Dakota: minus 0.4 percent
- Utah: minus 0.4 percent
- Wyoming: minus 0.4 percent
This means, according to tests, that cases are rising in eight states, namely: Arizona, California, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Nevada.
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All other U.S. states have recorded a decline in positive tests and have lower overall infection rates. Across the country, test positivity is down at 8.7 percent, 0.7 percent less than the week before.
The national-level positivity rate has shown a consistent decline in recent weeks, indicating a potential stabilization of infections. However, CDC experts have said that cases could rise again over the winter, particularly given the anticipated prevalence of other seasonal illnesses such as the common cold and the flu.
Over the period between October 14 and 21, there were 16,186 new hospitalizations from coronavirus, and 637 deaths overall. The latter are declining, albeit not by much, with the peak number over a week in October coming at the start of the month; 1,182 deaths were recorded in the week up to October 7. Those attributed to COVID-19 made up 2.7 percent of all deaths across the U.S. in the week up to October 21.
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Global health authorities are monitoring two new COVID variants, BA.2.86, known as Pirola, and EG.5, known as Eris.
The rise in hospitalizations comes as the U.S. Government said that each American household can now claim four free coronavirus tests, restarting the free testing program that was in place during the height of the pandemic.
The CDC has said that all Americans should keep up with COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots to prevent a significant spread of the illness this fall and winter. In September, the World Health Organization (WHO) also called for Americans to stay on top of their vaccinations and for officials to keep monitoring the spread of the disease.
