After a lull earlier this year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that COVID‑19 cases are climbing in all 50 states as of August 12. While overall activity remains low, the rate of increase is fastest in the South and West, prompting health experts to label the trend a late‑summer wave.
Seasonal pattern and expert insight
Infectious‑disease specialist Dr. William Schaffner of Vanderbilt University Medical Center explains that the virus typically shows two peaks each year—one in mid‑to‑late summer and another in winter. “We’ve had two waves every year,” he told TODAY.com, noting that the current rise coincides with the upcoming back‑to‑school season.
Wastewater data shows rising virus levels
CDC analysis shows wastewater COVID activity as “very low” nationally on August 8, yet Stanford University’s WastewaterSCAN program reports a “high” level of SARS‑CoV‑2 in wastewater across the country, with concentrations up 106 % compared to July.
The West and South have the highest concentrations, and states such as California and Texas are seeing the sharpest upticks.
Current variants and severity
The dominant strain, XFG.1.1, accounted for 22‑40 % of cases last month. It is a highly contagious recombinant variant that evolved from earlier Omicron lineages, but experts say it does not represent a major jump in severity. About 15 % of cases involve the BA.3.2 (Cicada) variant, which has not spread widely in the United States.
Compared with the intense summer surge of 2025 driven by the “Stratus” variant, the present wave shows lower viral concentrations and a lower test‑positivity rate—nearly 4 % now versus over 9 % at the same time last year.
What families should know
Symptoms remain similar to prior Omicron strains and typically appear within two to 14 days after exposure. Common signs include fever, cough, fatigue, loss of taste or smell, and sore throat. Most people recover at home, but adults over 65, infants, immunocompromised individuals, and those who have never received a COVID vaccine remain at higher risk for severe illness.
Testing is essential because COVID symptoms overlap with other respiratory illnesses. The CDC recommends staying home, isolating until fever‑free for 24 hours without medication, and wearing a well‑fitted N95 or KN95 respirator around vulnerable family members.
Vaccines and treatments
Antiviral medications can lessen symptom severity when taken early. Updated COVID‑19 vaccines targeting the XFG variant have been recommended by the FDA for the 2026‑2027 season, though they are not expected to be available until September.
Health officials continue to advise that eligible individuals discuss vaccination with their healthcare providers, emphasizing the benefit for high‑risk groups and pregnant women.
Looking ahead
Experts anticipate transmission to peak in early September, though the exact timing could shift as the virus spreads regionally. With summer travel still ongoing and schools reopening, families are urged to remain vigilant and follow public‑health guidance.
Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
