COVID Cases Rise in US West, South, Ireland with New Variants

COVID-19 cases are rising steadily but remain manageable in several regions including Santa Cruz County and across the United States, particularly in the West, South, and Southeast. In Santa Cruz, health officials note that while infections are elevated, the virus is spreading slowly without overwhelming health systems, with expectations that levels will remain steady through summer. The CDC reports early indicators such as emergency department visits and test positivity rates are increasing slightly nationwide, with wastewater data showing higher viral levels especially in states like California and Texas. A new variant, known as XFG or Stratus, is driving a significant surge in Ireland, where cases linked to this variant have more than doubled in two weeks; it spreads faster but may not cause more severe illness and has subtle symptoms like a hoarse or raspy voice which can delay detection. Public health guidelines emphasize staying home when symptomatic and avoiding contact with vulnerable individuals to control spread. Overall, experts urge vigilance as interactions increase with schools reopening and the virus continues to circulate globally.