COVID update: CDC map reveals states with “high” wastewater viral activity

New data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that over half of U.S. states have either “high” or “very high” levels of SARS-CoV-2—the virus that causes COVID-19—in their wastewater.

Newsweek reached out to the CDC by email for comment.

Why It Matters

Nearly five years after the COVID-19 pandemic that shuttered the nation and killed millions worldwide, the virus continues to sicken people. Many COVID-19 preventative measures, such as wearing masks and remote learning, have waned.

Virus infections typically rise in the winter months, and COVID-19 is no exception. Data shared by the CDC revealed which states were showing signs of high COVID-19 activity in the last weeks of 2024.

What to Know

Between December 15 and December 21, the CDC detected “very high” levels of COVID-19 in the wastewater levels of 14 states: Oregon, Montana, Wyoming, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Nebraska, South Dakota, Missouri, Minnesota, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. The CDC found “high” levels in 14 states: Idaho, Utah, Kansas, Iowa, Arkansas, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, South Carolina, Delaware, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Maine.

“Moderate” levels were detected in 10 states.

“Low” levels were found in eight states and the District of Columbia, and “minimal” levels were found in three states. North Dakota has no data for this time period.

However, Oregon, Washington, South Dakota, Missouri and Mississippi all have limited coverage, meaning that “data for the most recent week are based on a small part (less than 5 percent) of the population and may not represent viral activity levels for the entire state,” the CDC said.

National SARS-COV-2 viral activity levels in wastewater began increasing in late November after exhibiting a decline since August.

The CDC lists symptoms of COVID-19 as including fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, new loss of taste or smell, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.

The CDC also uses wastewater testing to detect levels of RSV, Influenza A, and Mpox. In addition to rising COVID-19 levels, RSV and Influenza A levels have been rising as well.

What People Are Saying

The CDC in a webpage about wastewater testing: “Wastewater (sewage) can be tested to detect traces of infectious diseases circulating in a community, even if people don’t have symptoms. You can use these data as an early warning that levels of infections may be increasing or decreasing in your community.”

What Happens Next

The CDC urges people to stay up to date with their COVID-19 vaccine, practice good hygiene and take steps to prevent the spread of germs if they’re sick.