The battle against COVID-19 in the United States is encountering worrisome trends, with rising positivity rates, particularly in Texas and neighboring states, as indicated by recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
As of the week concluding on August 26, around 15 percent of COVID-19 tests nationwide yielded positive results, reflecting a 1.4 percent increase from the previous week. The five states with the highest test positivity rates, at 20.8 percent, include Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Louisiana, and Arkansas. Texas drew attention recently for implementing a ban on mask mandates.
Following closely behind were Nevada, Hawaii, California, and Arizona, each reporting 16.1 percent of tests returning positive during the same week. In contrast, New York, New Jersey, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico maintained lower positivity rates, averaging around 9.6 percent.
These statistics come amid an uptick in COVID-19 hospitalizations, partly driven by the emergence of new variants like EG.5 and BA.2.86. In the week ending August 26, there were over 17,000 hospital admissions, marking a 15.7 percent increase from the previous week. Notably, COVID-19 hospitalizations remain relatively low in about 93 percent of the nation, according to the CDC. Deaths attributed to the virus accounted for 2 percent of the total during the same week.
This data underscores the persistent challenges posed by the virus, even as the national emergency status and federal mask mandates have been lifted. Some regions have temporarily reintroduced mask mandates in response to surging cases.
During a recent public appearance, President Joe Biden, who tested negative for COVID-19, was observed wearing a mask at a ceremony honoring Vietnam veteran Captain Larry Taylor. He removed it while delivering remarks. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre clarified that Biden’s actions aligned with CDC guidelines, emphasizing the importance of testing, symptom monitoring, and wearing masks when necessary.
The CDC advises individuals exposed to the virus to wear high-quality masks indoors in public spaces or when in close proximity to others, in combination with testing and symptom monitoring, for a period of 10 days. These measures highlight the ongoing necessity for vigilance as the nation continues to grapple with the complexities of the pandemic.
