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If it has felt like everyone around you is coming down with Covid again — there is good reason. Experts estimate that about two million people are now being infected with Covid every day — the second largest figure since the pandemic began. Because Americans are no longer routinely testing, the estimate has been made using tests that look for pieces of Covid in America's sewage.

If it has felt like everyone around you is coming down with Covid again — there is good reason. Experts estimate that about two million people are now being infected with Covid every day — the second largest figure since the pandemic began. Because Americans are no longer routinely testing, the estimate has been made using tests that look for pieces of Covid in America’s sewage.

Yet despite the near-record levels of infections, deaths from the virus are at historic lows for this time of year — thanks to the high levels of immunity in the population. It is not just Covid that is striking down Americans. Flu and RSV are also at unseasonably high levels, surveillance shows. Wastewater surveillance data from biotech company Biobot — which monitors sewage for the CDC — showed 1,398 copies of the virus were detected per milliliter (ml) of sewage nationwide in the week to January 6 , the latest available.

Yet despite the near-record levels of infections, deaths from the virus are at historic lows for this time of year — thanks to the high levels of immunity in the population. It is not just Covid that is striking down Americans. Flu and RSV are also at unseasonably high levels, surveillance shows. Wastewater surveillance data from biotech company Biobot — which monitors sewage for the CDC — showed 1,398 copies of the virus were detected per milliliter (ml) of sewage nationwide in the week to January 6 , the latest available.

This marked a 30 percent surge compared to two weeks ago and the highest level recorded in two years — or since the Omicron wave in the 2021 to 2022 season. The previous peak was 4,555 copies of the virus per ml recorded at this time in 2022 — during the Omicron wave. Data from Biobot is based on sewage from 400 locations across the US. Dr Lucky Tran, a scientist at Columbia University in New York City, said the current data was equivalent to 2million people being infected with Covid every day.

This marked a 30 percent surge compared to two weeks ago and the highest level recorded in two years — or since the Omicron wave in the 2021 to 2022 season. The previous peak was 4,555 copies of the virus per ml recorded at this time in 2022 — during the Omicron wave. Data from Biobot is based on sewage from 400 locations across the US. Dr Lucky Tran, a scientist at Columbia University in New York City, said the current data was equivalent to 2million people being infected with Covid every day.

This was based on data from Dr Mike Hoerger, a cancer expert who researches Covid at Tulane University in Louisiana. He says that 1,374 copies of the virus per ml of wastewater is equivalent to an estimated 2million infections occurring every day. Experts said the surge in infections is down to the JN.1 variant which is more infectious and may even be more deadly than previous strains.

This was based on data from Dr Mike Hoerger, a cancer expert who researches Covid at Tulane University in Louisiana. He says that 1,374 copies of the virus per ml of wastewater is equivalent to an estimated 2million infections occurring every day. Experts said the surge in infections is down to the JN.1 variant which is more infectious and may even be more deadly than previous strains.

That same study also showed the vaccine was still highly effective against it, which could explain the massive disparity between infections and death numbers. Dr Tran said: 'According to the latest CDC Covid wastewater data, we are currently in the second-biggest surge of the pandemic. 'It will peak in the next week, with two million infections per day. 'During this surge, 100million people total — or one in three people in the US — will likely get Covid.'

That same study also showed the vaccine was still highly effective against it, which could explain the massive disparity between infections and death numbers. Dr Tran said: ‘According to the latest CDC Covid wastewater data, we are currently in the second-biggest surge of the pandemic. ‘It will peak in the next week, with two million infections per day. ‘During this surge, 100million people total — or one in three people in the US — will likely get Covid.’

Wastewater data was used early in the pandemic as an 'early warning system' for surges in infections — and additional strains on hospitals. But the CDC has kept up the surveillance to track shifts as fewer people test themselves for Covid. It can also pick up asymptomatic infections. The CDC has also noted the surge in wastewater, saying: 'Infection levels measured using wastewater and test positivity, which capture both symptomatic and asymptomatic infections, are higher than the year before.'

Wastewater data was used early in the pandemic as an ‘early warning system’ for surges in infections — and additional strains on hospitals. But the CDC has kept up the surveillance to track shifts as fewer people test themselves for Covid. It can also pick up asymptomatic infections. The CDC has also noted the surge in wastewater, saying: ‘Infection levels measured using wastewater and test positivity, which capture both symptomatic and asymptomatic infections, are higher than the year before.’

'Wastewater viral levels, in particular, have increased rapidly over the last several weeks.' They noted, however: 'By comparison, measures of Covid-related illness requiring medical attention, such as emergency department visit rates, have also increased, but to a lesser extent.' At this time last year, Covid infections were at 1,059 copies per milliliter — or about 30 percent lower than currently — and at this time in 2020 to 2021 levels were at 813 per milliliter — or 70 percent lower than the current levels.

‘Wastewater viral levels, in particular, have increased rapidly over the last several weeks.’ They noted, however: ‘By comparison, measures of Covid-related illness requiring medical attention, such as emergency department visit rates, have also increased, but to a lesser extent.’ At this time last year, Covid infections were at 1,059 copies per milliliter — or about 30 percent lower than currently — and at this time in 2020 to 2021 levels were at 813 per milliliter — or 70 percent lower than the current levels.

Separate data from the CDC for the week ending January 4 showed 33 out of 38 states where surveillance was carried out had 'very high' levels of Covid in their wastewater. This included the most populous states of California, Texas, Florida, New York, Illinois and Florida. The other five states — Washington, Minnesota, North Carolina and South Carolina — had 'high' Covid levels in their wastewater. There are also concerns over the flu, with CDC data showing thirty-eight states are now reporting 'high' or 'very high' levels of flu-like illness. RSV levels are also still unseasonably high for this time of year. In response to the surge hospitals in at least 14 states have brought back face masks for patients, visitors and staff.

Separate data from the CDC for the week ending January 4 showed 33 out of 38 states where surveillance was carried out had ‘very high’ levels of Covid in their wastewater. This included the most populous states of California, Texas, Florida, New York, Illinois and Florida. The other five states — Washington, Minnesota, North Carolina and South Carolina — had ‘high’ Covid levels in their wastewater. There are also concerns over the flu, with CDC data showing thirty-eight states are now reporting ‘high’ or ‘very high’ levels of flu-like illness. RSV levels are also still unseasonably high for this time of year. In response to the surge hospitals in at least 14 states have brought back face masks for patients, visitors and staff.

This is in an attempt to limit the spread of respiratory viruses on their wards. St Louis City Hall in Missouri also attempted to bring back a face mask mandate for its 3,000 workers on Friday, saying the coverings should be worn indoors. But the move was overturned within hours, with the state shifting to 'strongly recommending' the coverings. Respiratory disease levels are normally high around this time of year, before infections peak in January and February. But an earlier season coupled with children's underdeveloped immune systems from successive lockdowns has raised fears the US could be in for a larger surge. Weekly hospitalizations with Covid have also risen about 20 percent in a week to 34,000 admissions over the week to December 30, the latest available.

This is in an attempt to limit the spread of respiratory viruses on their wards. St Louis City Hall in Missouri also attempted to bring back a face mask mandate for its 3,000 workers on Friday, saying the coverings should be worn indoors. But the move was overturned within hours, with the state shifting to ‘strongly recommending’ the coverings. Respiratory disease levels are normally high around this time of year, before infections peak in January and February. But an earlier season coupled with children’s underdeveloped immune systems from successive lockdowns has raised fears the US could be in for a larger surge. Weekly hospitalizations with Covid have also risen about 20 percent in a week to 34,000 admissions over the week to December 30, the latest available.

And deaths are up 12 percent, with 1,600 recorded over the week to December 9 — the latest available. About 10million people have been infected with the flu so far this season and 110,000 have been hospitalized. For comparison, at this time in 2019 — before the pandemic — there had been 7million flu illnesses and 55,000 hospitalizations. Dr Jacob Glanville, a virologist based in San Francisco who is working on a universal flu vaccine, told DailyMail.com this was turning into a 'tough winter' for viruses. 'Typically, after the holidays we see an increase in respiratory viruses,' he said. 'So far, the CDC data is showing Covid-led hospitalizations aren't at the same levels as the previous three winters. But there remains a lot of uncertainty about just how elevated the current surge can peak. 'Everyone should make sure to wash hands, cover up coughs, and stay updated on their vaccines.' Read the full story: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-12949081/covid-2024-infection-rates-pandemic.html?ito=msngallery

And deaths are up 12 percent, with 1,600 recorded over the week to December 9 — the latest available. About 10million people have been infected with the flu so far this season and 110,000 have been hospitalized. For comparison, at this time in 2019 — before the pandemic — there had been 7million flu illnesses and 55,000 hospitalizations. Dr Jacob Glanville, a virologist based in San Francisco who is working on a universal flu vaccine, told DailyMail.com this was turning into a ‘tough winter’ for viruses. ‘Typically, after the holidays we see an increase in respiratory viruses,’ he said. ‘So far, the CDC data is showing Covid-led hospitalizations aren’t at the same levels as the previous three winters. But there remains a lot of uncertainty about just how elevated the current surge can peak. ‘Everyone should make sure to wash hands, cover up coughs, and stay updated on their vaccines.’ Read the full story: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-12949081/covid-2024-infection-rates-pandemic.html?ito=msngallery

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