According to estimates released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), coronavirus levels in wastewater have sharply increased nationwide, suggesting that the summer surge of the virus is intensifying. For the first time this summer, national virus measurements in sewage reached "high" levels, with COVID-19 growing or probably growing in 44 states and the nation's capital.

In California, CDC data for the week ending July 6 revealed "very high" coronavirus levels in wastewater, marking the first time since winter that such levels have been observed. Six other states, namely Arkansas, Florida, Maryland, Nevada, Oregon, and Texas, also reported being in the "very high" category. Furthermore, 19 other states across the country displayed high coronavirus levels in sewage, covering all regions.

Notably, coronavirus levels detected in California's wastewater are currently estimated to be significantly higher than those seen last summer. In Northern California, two major sewersheds covering San Jose and Palo Alto in Santa Clara County, the most populous county in the region, reported high levels of the virus in wastewater.

The surge in COVID-19 cases is not limited to wastewater. The rate of positive test results in California has nearly reached last summer's peak, with 13% of reported tests coming back positive for the week ending July 8, compared to 4.8% a month earlier. In Los Angeles County, the most populous county in the nation, coronavirus levels in wastewater have also seen a significant jump.

The L.A. County Department of Public Health has observed an increase in the number of cases, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations for COVID-19. However, it is too early to determine whether there will be a larger wave this summer compared to last year. For the week ending June 29, coronavirus levels in L.A. County sewage were at 27% of last winter's peak, a substantial increase from the preceding week.

Shockingly, COVID-19 cases in the county have also surged, with an average of 307 new cases reported daily for the week ending July 7, up from 121 cases a day a month earlier. Last summer's peak saw a daily average of 571 cases. It is important to note that official case counts are likely an undercount as they only reflect tests performed in medical facilities and not at-home tests.

Health officials emphasize the need for preparedness as the FLiRT variants, estimated to be 20% more transmissible than the dominant winter subvariant, gain prominence. Rising cases have been observed in Kaiser Permanente Southern California, mainly among outpatients. As the post-Fourth of July period typically marks an increase in cases, public health experts are closely monitoring the situation.

In response to the growing infection rates, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has urged residents to consider wearing masks, especially in crowded indoor settings and for higher-risk individuals.

As the country grapples with the summer surge in COVID-19, it remains critical for individuals to follow recommended safety measures, including vaccination, mask-wearing, and practicing social distancing.