California and Los Angeles County have seen particularly notable jumps in coronavirus levels, accompanied by rising cases, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations
CDC reported increase in emergency department visits associated with Covid-19
Significant surge in Covid-19 viral activity levels in wastewater nationwide
Covid-19 Levels Surge in the United States: A Summer Wave of Infections
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a significant increase in emergency department visits associated with Covid-19 during the week ending July 6, 2024. The CDC also noted that viral activity levels for Covid-19 in wastewater are high nationally as of that date. These trends reflect a summer wave of Covid-19 infections across the United States.
California and Los Angeles County have seen particularly notable jumps in coronavirus levels, with both reporting high levels of the virus in their wastewater. The increase has been accompanied by rising cases, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations. According to Dr. Barbara Ferrer, Los Angeles County's Health Director,
Covid-19 levels have been rising in the United States again.
During the week ending July 6, there was a 23.5% increase in emergency visits for Covid-19 compared with the previous week.
The CDC reports the viral activity level for Covid-19 in wastewater is high nationally as of July 6.
People who are older or immunocompromised or have multiple underlying medical conditions should be especially concerned about Covid-19 infection and take additional precautions such as masking in crowded indoor spaces and trying to gather outdoors instead of indoors.
Rapid antigen home tests are not as accurate as laboratory PCR testing but can be used to screen for Covid-19.
People who have symptoms and could be eligible for antiviral treatment should take the rapid test, even if it’s initially negative they should take it again the next day.
While in crowded spaces that aren’t well-ventilated, consider wearing an N95 or equivalent mask. Try to dine outdoors rather than indoors when possible. Bring rapid tests with you and always have a plan for what happens if you get Covid-19.
The CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older receive the new formulation of the Covid-19 vaccine when it’s available, ideally in September or early August.
People who need additional protection against infection should take additional precautions even after getting vaccinated. This includes masking and limiting close contact with others.
Several months ago, the CDC dropped its five-day isolation requirement for people diagnosed with Covid-19. Now, they should stay home until they are fever-free for at least 24 hours and their symptoms are improving. For the next five days, they should still try to take additional precautions such as masking and limiting close contact with others.
If you live at home with someone who is extremely vulnerable to severe illness, you should really avoid that person until you test negative for Covid-19.
Accuracy
California's COVID viral activity is at a 'very high' level according to CDC wastewater data.
COVID-19 levels in wastewater have significantly increased in the US, reaching 'high' levels for the first time this summer according to CDC estimates.
California's two largest sewersheds, covering San Jose and Palo Alto in Santa Clara County, reported high levels of the virus in wastewater.
Los Angeles County has seen a significant jump in coronavirus levels in wastewater and an increase in cases, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations.
Accuracy
California has 'very high' COVID-19 levels in its wastewater for the first time since winter.
The rate at which COVID tests are coming back positive in California has almost reached last summer’s peak.
Deception
(30%)
The article uses sensational language such as 'very high' and 'summer bump is continuing to grow' to create a sense of urgency and fear around the COVID-19 situation in California. The author also selectively reports data by focusing on the increase in COVID-19 levels in wastewater and positive test results, while ignoring the fact that these numbers are still significantly lower than last summer's peak. Additionally, the article implies that coronavirus levels are higher than last summer based on wastewater data alone, without providing any context or evidence to support this claim.
Coronavirus levels have jumped significantly in wastewater across the nation, an indication that the summer bump is continuing to grow.
And for the first time since the winter, California has very high coronavirus levels in its wastewater, according to CDC data for the week ending July 6.
The latest positive test rate almost exceeds the peak from last summer, which was 13.1% in late August and early September.
Fallacies
(85%)
The author uses the term 'very high' to describe California's coronavirus levels in wastewater without providing a clear definition or comparison. This is an example of vague language and an appeal to emotion, which can be considered a form of informal fallacy.
]California has ‘very high’ coronavirus levels in its wastewater[
Nineteen other states, covering every region in the country, have high coronavirus levels in sewage.
Bias
(95%)
The author uses the term 'very high' to describe California's COVID levels in wastewater and 'high' for nineteen other states. This language is subjective and could be perceived as an attempt to create a sense of urgency or alarm around the situation in these states. It also implies that other states with lower designations are somehow less concerning, which could be seen as biased.
California has 'very high' coronavirus levels in its wastewater, according to CDC data for the week ending July 6.
Nineteen other states, covering every region in the country, have 'high' coronavirus levels in sewage.
More than half of states have ‘high’ or ‘very high’ levels of SARS-CoV-2 in their wastewater.
Nationwide, the overall level of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater is ‘high’.
Emergency room visits with COVID-19 have increased by 20% or more compared to the week prior in 26 states.
The District of Columbia and 26 states are now seeing ‘substantial increases’ in COVID-19 emergency room visits.
Nationwide, the average share of emergency room patients with COVID-19 is at its highest since February and has increased by 115% from a month ago.
Accuracy
SARS-CoV-2 activity levels in tests of wastewater are ‘high’ in 19 states and ‘very high’ in 7 states.
COVID-19 emergency room visits crossed the threshold into ‘moderate’ levels in Hawaii and Florida.
Deception
(50%)
The article uses the terms 'high' and 'very high' to describe COVID-19 levels in wastewater testing without providing a clear definition or context for what these terms mean. This is an example of sensationalism as it creates a sense of urgency and alarm without providing sufficient information for readers to understand the true significance of the data presented.
More than half of states are now seeing 'high' or 'very high' levels of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in their wastewater testing,
