COVID-19 Cases Surge Across US, Hospital Positivity Peaks

COVID-19 cases are surging across multiple regions, with the US experiencing peaks in many areas as hospitalizations and emergency visits rise, according to CDC data. The Omicron variant’s rapid spread has overwhelmed testing facilities nationwide, leading to long lines and limits on at-home test kit purchases, even as the Biden administration plans to distribute 500 million new tests. In England, hospital patients testing positive for COVID-19 reached the highest level in 10 months, with factors such as returning to work and school, cooler weather, and waning immunity contributing to increased transmission. A new strain, XFG, circulating in the UK since August, has been designated a variant under monitoring by the WHO but is not currently linked to more severe illness. Canadian health experts emphasize the importance of vaccination, especially for vulnerable groups, as positive test rates rise heading into the fall and winter seasons. Overall, experts warn that testing demand will continue to grow sharply in the coming weeks as the virus spreads widely.