Is There a Summer COVID-19 Surge This Year?

A growing summer COVID-19 surge is underway across the U.S., with infections increasing in every region, particularly the South and West. Although overall levels remain low and the current wave appears milder than previous years, COVID-19 continues to pose serious risks for older adults, infants and immunocompromised people.

Experts note that COVID differs from other seasonal respiratory viruses by producing both summer and winter surges, though the cause of this pattern remains unclear.

Public health officials continue to encourage vaccination, while conflicting federal guidance and ongoing litigation over vaccine recommendations could create confusion and discourage uptake ahead of the fall respiratory virus season. Read more from NPR here.