Daijiworld Media Network – Washington

Washington, Aug 9: The summer surge of COVID-19 in the United States is intensifying, with nationwide wastewater activity climbing from “low” to “moderate” levels in just a week, according to the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) update. The West is seeing the highest levels, with Alaska, California, Colorado, Nevada, and Utah recording sharp spikes.

Wastewater monitoring, which can detect community spread earlier than clinical testing, is signalling a growing risk of infection. The CDC says COVID-19 cases are now rising or likely rising in 45 states, up from 40 last week. Emergency room visits remain relatively low but are trending upward.

Medical experts note that summer spikes have become common alongside winter surges, though hospitalizations and deaths have been gradually decreasing year by year. Still, vulnerable groups—the elderly, young children, and the immunocompromised—remain at higher risk.

Amid this surge, a new COVID-19 variant named Stratus (XFG), nicknamed the “Frankenstein variant” for its genetic mix of LF.7 and LP.8.1.2, is spreading rapidly. First detected in Canada, it has now been reported in at least 38 countries, including the US, and has risen from 7% to nearly 23% of global cases within weeks. While not causing more severe illness, Stratus is highly transmissible and better at evading immunity in populations with low booster coverage.

One of its distinctive early symptoms is hoarseness or a raspy voice, sometimes described as a painful, “swallowing glass” sensation in the throat, followed by typical COVID-like symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, and nasal congestion.

The World Health Organization has classified Stratus as a Variant Under Monitoring due to its rapid spread and immune-evasion capabilities. Experts stress that updated COVID-19 vaccines remain effective in preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death, despite a minor drop in antibody response.

Public health authorities advise staying updated on boosters, testing promptly if symptoms arise, masking in crowded indoor settings, maintaining good hygiene, improving ventilation, and isolating when sick.

Health officials warn that even if Stratus is not more deadly, its ability to spread quickly could strain communities if precautions are ignored.