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2mo ago

US COVID Cases Climb as Stratus Variant Gains Ground

National wastewater surveillance has been upgraded to moderate levels following a spike in test positivity across a dozen states

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SAN ANTONIO, TX – MARCH 29: A nurse fills up a syringe with the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination site at a senior center on March 29, 2021 in San Antonio, Texas. Texas has opened up all vaccination eligibility to all adults starting today. Texas has had a slower roll out than some states and with the increase in eligibility leaders are hoping more and more citizens get vaccinated. (Photo by Sergio Flores/Getty Images)
The Stratus variant (XFG) of COVID-19 was first detected in January in Southeast Asia,
Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

Overview

  • CDC data show national COVID-19 cases climbing in 45 states, with a dozen states reporting test positivity rates above 11%.
  • Last week the CDC elevated national wastewater viral activity to moderate levels after Louisiana recorded very high readings.
  • XFG Stratus now accounts for about 14% of US infections, remaining under WHO monitoring due to potential immune-evasive spike mutations.
  • The NB.1.8.1 variant, nicknamed Nimbus, leads at roughly 43% of US cases; reports of severe sore throats have emerged without increased hospitalization rates.
  • Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s unilateral revision of federal vaccine guidelines has introduced uncertainty into booster uptake, complicating risk communication.