CDC Warns of Summer COVID-19 Surge: Test Positivity Rises in 34 States, New Variants Spreading

Seattle, Washington United States of America
CDC warns of summer COVID-19 surge with test positivity rising in 34 states and territories
COVID-19 test positivity was 5.4% across the US, an increase of 0.8% from the previous week
COVID-19 wastewater levels increased along West Coast and in Wake County remained steady due to improved virus management and high immunity levels
Experts suggest travel could be contributing to increase in COVID-19 cases as summer travel season is in full swing
New England region had same test positivity rate as national average at 5.4%
Senior citizens and those with respiratory diseases should consider wearing masks on airplanes due to spreading sub-variants
Summer COVID-19 surge being driven by dominant new variant KP.3, which makes up 25% of cases in the US and is more contagious than previous variants
Vaccination rates have fallen since last October and federal funding for COVID response has decreased in King County
Western region had highest test positivity rate at 12.8%
CDC Warns of Summer COVID-19 Surge: Test Positivity Rises in 34 States, New Variants Spreading

As the United States heads into the summer season, early indicators show the country is likely to experience an increase in COVID-19 infections. For the week ending June 8, the latest date for which data is available, COVID test positivity was 5.4% across the U.S., an increase of 0.8% from the previous week, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In the Western region -- which is comprised of Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada -- COVID test positivity was 12.8%, higher than any other region of the U.S. The New England region -- made up of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont -- had the next highest test positivity rate at 5.4%, matching the national rate.

Wastewater levels from the CDC show a significant increase in COVID-19 wastewater levels along the West Coast over the last month as well. However, COVID-19 wastewater levels in Wake County have remained steady. Doctors said a combination of improving virus management and high level of immunity is helping to prevent a mass spread.

Experts note that senior citizens and those with respiratory diseases should consider wearing a mask on airplanes, as sub-variants are spreading quickly. However, experts caution against drawing conclusions about the effectiveness of masks based solely on the decrease in cases among these vulnerable populations.

Health officials suggest that travel could be contributing to the increase in COVID-19 cases. With the summer travel season in full swing, more infections are likely. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported an increase of 0.8% in COVID-19 test positivity from the previous week.

Vaccination rates have fallen since last October in King County, and federal funding for COVID response has decreased. Doctors recommend that people take precautions as a summer COVID surge approaches in Seattle and the surrounding areas as travel season begins. Emergency department visits in King County have been rising since the end of April.

A summer COVID-19 surge is also being driven by the dominant new COVID-19 variant KP.3, which makes up 25 percent of cases in the United States and is more contagious than previous variants. FLiRT variants, including KP.3 and KP.2, account for over two-thirds of COVID-19 cases in the US.

The CDC reports that as of June 11, 2024, COVID-19 infections are growing or likely growing in 34 states and territories. The number of people reporting loss of sense of taste or smell is decreasing, and the proportions of people developing long Covid after their infections is going down.

Health experts warn that high-risk groups, including elderly individuals aged 75 and older and immunocompromised people, should take extra precautions during this time. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, and it is crucial for individuals to stay informed about the latest developments in order to protect themselves and their communities.


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Confidence

85%

Doubts
  • Are masks effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19 based on decreasing cases among vulnerable populations?
  • Is there enough data to definitively say that travel is contributing to the increase in COVID-19 cases?

Sources

88%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Covid is back in Washington just in time for your summer vacation

KUOW Puget Sound Public Radio Patricia Murphy Thursday, 20 June 2024 13:40
  • Unique Points
    • The number of people reporting loss of sense of taste or smell is decreasing in 2024.
    • The proportions of people developing long Covid after their infections is going down.
  • Accuracy
    • Covid cases are on the rise in early June 2024
    • Infection rates and emergency department visits in King County have been rising since the end of April.
    • COVID test positivity in the US was 5.4% for the week ending June 8, an increase of 0.8% from the previous week.
  • Deception (70%)
    The article makes several statements that could be considered sensational or emotional manipulation. The author uses phrases like 'summer Covid is a thing,' 'we're heading into a summer surge,' and 'ruin your vacation.' These phrases are designed to elicit an emotional response from the reader, making them more likely to engage with the article. Additionally, the author quotes Dr. Helen Chu making statements about Covid patterns and surges without providing any context or evidence beyond her own observations. This selective reporting could be misleading if readers take these statements as facts without considering other perspectives or data.
    • As Covid continues to settle into everyday life, health experts are noticing it has certain patterns, and a few other changes from the first few years the virus struck.
    • We are heading into a summer surge.
    • Summer Covid is a thing.
    • If you remember from the last couple of years, there is a large winter surge, and then there is often a smaller, but still significant, surge in mid- to late-summer. So, we’re heading into that now.
  • Fallacies (95%)
    The author makes several statements about the patterns of Covid cases and the expectations of health officials. However, she does not provide any evidence or logical reasoning to support her claims that Covid has settled into a pattern of spiking during winter and summer. This is an example of an unsubstantiated claim or a leap in logic, which can be considered a form of informal fallacy. The author also uses the phrase 'summer Covid' without providing any definition or evidence for what this means, making it an ambiguous statement that could be open to interpretation.
    • ][author] As Covid continues to settle into everyday life, health experts are noticing it has certain patterns, and a few other changes from the first few years the virus struck. Summer Covid is a thing. [[//] This is an example of an unsubstantiated claim or a leap in logic as the author does not provide any evidence or logical reasoning to support her claim that 'summer Covid' is a thing.
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

95%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Summer COVID surge approaches in Seattle area as travel season begins

The Seattle Times Monday, 17 June 2024 13:00
  • Unique Points
    • Vaccination rates have fallen since last October in King County, and federal funding for COVID response has decreased.
  • Accuracy
    • A summer COVID-19 surge is occurring in Seattle and the region.
    • Infection rates and emergency department visits in King County have been rising since the end of April.
    • King County’s virus-related emergency department visits hit a new low in late April, with only about 0.5% of visits involving a COVID diagnosis.
    • As of last week, COVID patients made up about 1.5% of hospital emergency visits, still below the county’s transmission alert threshold (3%).
    • State COVID emergency department visits have gradually increased since the end of April, though at a slightly slower rate.
    • Washington state death rates have remained low for months despite the increase in cases.
    • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that KP.2 and KP3 have also begun to make up a greater proportion of infections nationally.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (95%)
    The article contains some appeals to authority and a few instances of inflammatory rhetoric, but no formal or blatant logical fallacies were found. The author quotes Dr. Eric Chow multiple times and attributes statements to him regarding the current COVID-19 situation in Seattle and King County.
    • ]This is the time when people should start taking precautions.[
    • ]“This peak” is going to be, when it’s going to peak, but taking precautions now is the best way for people to be able to mitigate the complications related to COVID.”
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

96%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

There may be an increase in COVID cases this summer. Experts say this is why many shouldn't be concerned

ABC NEWS SITE NAMES Name: ABC News Site Names URL: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/us-officially-blames-iran_106834435 ABC News Friday, 21 June 2024 02:26
  • Unique Points
    • COVID test positivity in the US was 5.4% for the week ending June 8, an increase of 0.8% from the previous week.
    • New England region had a COVID test positivity rate matching the national rate at 5.4%.
    • California’s Los Angeles county reported an average of 121 daily COVID cases on June 13, up from a daily average of 106 instances one week prior.
  • Accuracy
    • Western region of the US had the highest COVID test positivity rate at 12.8%.
    • Viral activity levels in wastewater have more than doubled in the western US over the last month.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (95%)
    The article does not demonstrate any clear bias towards a specific political, religious, ideological or monetary position. The author provides facts and quotes from experts to inform the reader about an increase in COVID cases this summer and the potential reasons behind it. However, there is a disproportionate number of quotations that reflect a positive outlook on managing the virus and staying safe during the summer season.
    • "I think there's a fine balance between ignoring everything and being scared by everything."
      • "So that combined immunity gives a big force field that can help protect us during the summer."
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication

      96%

      The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
      (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

      A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

      COVID-19 sees uptick during summer months, likely due to travel

      ABC11 News Website Wednesday, 19 June 2024 19:04
      • Unique Points
        • Doctor suggested that travel could be contributing to the increase in COVID-19 cases
        • COVID-19 test positivity was 12.8% higher on the West Coast than any other region of the United States
        • CDC reported an increase of 0.8% in COVID-19 test positivity from the previous week
      • Accuracy
        • Doctors reported low levels of COVID-19 wastewater in Wake County
      • Deception (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Fallacies (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Bias (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication

      94%

      The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
      (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

      A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

      New FLiRT Variant KP.3 Is Driving a Summer COVID Surge

      Everyday Health Don Rauf Friday, 21 June 2024 02:28
      • Unique Points
        • COVID-19 infections are increasing or likely increasing in 34 states and territories as of June 11, 2024.
        • KP.3 is a new variant of COVID-19 that makes up 25 percent of cases in the United States and is more contagious than previous variants.
        • FLiRT (Furin cleavage site-Linked Receptor binding domain mutations) variants, including KP.3 and KP.2, account for over two-thirds of COVID-19 cases in the US.
        • KP.3 has an additional mutation within the spike protein that makes binding to cellular receptors a little easier.
      • Accuracy
        • Emergency department visits due to COVID-19 have risen by 12.6 percent over the week ending June 8.
        • Many Americans may have received their last COVID shot months ago and their immunity may be wearing off, partially explaining the current surge in COVID numbers.
      • Deception (80%)
        The article provides information from reputable sources such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and quotes from experts in the field. However, there are instances of selective reporting and sensationalism that may mislead readers. The article focuses on the rise of a new COVID-19 variant KP.3, which is driving a summer COVID surge, but it fails to mention that vaccines and treatments like Paxlovid are effective in preventing severe illnesses caused by this variant. This omission could give readers a false sense of fear and hopelessness. Additionally, the article uses sensational language such as 'wave of summer COVID-19 infections may be upon us' and 'very high levels of viral activity' to grab readers' attention, which may not accurately reflect the current situation.
        • very high levels of viral activity in Florida, Hawaii, and Montana
        • The wave of summer COVID-19 infections may be upon us.
        • As of June 11, 2024, we estimate that COVID-19 infections are growing or likely growing in 34 states and territories
      • Fallacies (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Bias (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication