COVID-19 Infections Are on the Rise This Summer, but Illness Remains Mild

Though many of us would happily be done with the virus that causes COVID-19, the coronavirus isn’t quite done with us. According to data from the CDC (which measures viral activity in wastewater), COVID-19’s been on the rise since May of this year — with a particularly steep climb since the beginning of July.

Further data from the CDC shows that the test positivity rate is at 12.6%, and some 1.6% of emergency department visits per week have led to a positive COVID-19 diagnosis. Fortunately, severity indicators like hospitalizations and deaths remain relatively low, though these, too, are on an upward trend.

COVID-19 on the rise nationally — and especially in the West

While wastewater virality data doesn’t always directly correlate with the appearance of symptoms, it can be used as an early predictor of viral prevalence, the CDC says.

Still, plenty of people won’t be shocked to hear the news that COVID-19’s on the rise, with plenty of anecdotal examples of new infections floating around — including the particularly high-profile case of President Joe Biden.

While rates of infection are on the rise nationally, not all regions are experiencing the wave equally. The CDC’s test positivity heat map shows especially high concentrations of positive tests in western states, especially California, Arizona, Nevada and Hawaii. The wastewater surveillance trend chart, too, shows the West in the lead, with its trend line surpassing those of the Midwest, South, Northeast and national average starting in the early weeks of May.

A FLiRT-y COVID-19 summer

Many of these new infections are likely the result of one of the cutesy named FLiRT variants, which, according to Johns Hopkins, have been the dominant forms of the virus since early May. In fact, the Washington Post reports that nearly two-thirds of the summer wave of infections are caused by FLiRT variants (which, it turns out, are named for the locations of their genetic mutations — not for their dating strategy).

While the rapid spread shows these variants have mutated in ways that help them circumvent existing immunities (thanks to previous infections, vaccinations, or both), the good news is, as their flirty name implies, although they get around, they’re unlikely to stay for long or do lasting damage. A press release from Cedars-Sinai calls the resulting illness "relatively mild," one that’s "similar to a cold" with upper respiratory symptoms like fever, chills, coughing and nasal congestion.

Of course, what’s mild in some can be dangerous in others — particularly elderly patients or those with existing health issues. And as the nearly 36 million patients whose infections spiraled into long COVID know, even mild illness can have lasting repercussions.

In short: It’s still worth taking steps to protect yourself.

Keeping yourself safe during the summer COVID-19 wave — and beyond

After four years of the pandemic, we all know the basics: wash your hands for at least 20 seconds, mask when you’re sick and keep up to date with your vaccine schedule. But making sure you have the right health insurance policy is an important step, too. (Double-check your life insurance policy while you’re at it.)

The good news? Even with the effects of the pandemic, the nationally adjusted death rate has been on the decline, dipping 17.7% between the first quarters of 2021 and 2023. So don’t fret too hard: So long as you’re smart about it, you can still flirt with some fun this summer.