COVID-19 Cases Rising in Texas, CDC Data Shows

COVID-19 infections are climbing across Texas and 24 other states, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Rising Positivity Rates and Regional Spreads

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, current infection estimates show growth in 24 states nationwide. Texas stands out in the regional data with a test positivity rate of 11.8%, outpacing the national average of 8.9%, based on federal public health tracking.

Emergency department visits for COVID-19 are showing increases across multiple age groups. Federal health data highlights a noticeable bump in visits among children under 12 years old, though public health agencies emphasize that the overall percentage of pediatric emergency utilization remains low.

Factors Fueling the Current Wave

According to Steven Love, president and CEO of the DFW Hospital Council, the current wave is fueled by summer travel, lower vaccination rates in Texas, and the circulation of the newer Stratus variant. Love stated that the Stratus variant, having mutated from the original strain, appears significantly more contagious.

Despite the rising numbers, health authorities stress that the current epidemiological situation differs markedly from earlier phases of the pandemic. Love noted that COVID-19 has settled into an endemic pattern, meaning communities will see recurring waves going forward rather than emergency pandemic conditions.

Wastewater Surveillance and Transmission Prevention

Wastewater viral activity metrics show a stark contrast between state and national levels. While national wastewater tracking for COVID-19 remains low according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Texas municipal monitoring registers the viral activity level as “very high.”

To curb transmission, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends standard hygiene and protection measures, including frequent handwashing, wearing a well-fitted mask in crowded settings, and avoiding close contact with individuals who have tested positive for the virus.