(NEW YORK) — More than half of U.S. states are reporting “very high” COVID activity levels as the virus continues to spread and increase in many parts of the country, according to the latest wastewater data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
At least 27 states report “very high” levels and 17 states report “high” levels of viral activity in wastewater.
The highest values continue to be recorded in the West, followed by the South, Midwest and Northeast.
Current levels are approaching those seen in the winter months, but are still lower, when respiratory diseases are at an increased prevalence.
Wastewater data only partially reflect the spread in a community, but experts say they may be the best data available.
“While wastewater is not a perfect measure, it is becoming increasingly important to fill the gaps created by the lack of comprehensive case reporting and hospitalization data,” said Dr. John Brownstein, an epidemiologist and chief innovation officer at Boston Children’s Hospital and ABC News contributor.
Since the end of the national health emergency, the coverage of many national surveillance systems has declined, leaving authorities with limited resources to monitor the spread of the virus.
“As traditional monitoring systems are less widely used, wastewater analysis has emerged as one of the most reliable tools we can use to monitor COVID-19 activity in communities,” Brownstein added.
Other limited COVID surveillance systems, such as emergency room visits and positive test results, are also increasing, according to CDC data. The number of deaths from the virus remains relatively constant, especially compared to previous years.
Current COVID vaccines are expected to be available in the fall, according to federal health officials. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has recommended that vaccine manufacturers produce vaccines based on the KP.2 strain, an offshoot of the omicron variant that is currently estimated to account for about 6% of cases.
Genetically similar variants, known as KP.3.1.1 and KP.3, currently account for nearly half of estimated cases, CDC data show.
The CDC has already recommended that everyone ages 6 months and older get an up-to-date COVID vaccine this season. The recommendation will take effect once the vaccines are available, subject to FDA approval.
An expected delivery date for the updated COVID vaccines has not yet been announced, but in past years the shot has been available in late August or September. Vaccine makers have told ABC News they are ready to ship doses as soon as they get the green light from the FDA.
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