COVID surges nationwide with highest rates in Southwest as students return to school

COVID-19 rates in the Southwestern United States have surged to 12.5%, the highest in the nation, driven by the new Stratus variant. In Los Angeles County, wastewater shows record levels of the virus since February. The increase comes as students return to school, with the CDC having removed recommendations for updated COVID shots. The Stratus variant, detected first in Asia, became predominant in the U.S. by June. National positivity rates reached 9% in early August, although deaths remain low. RFK Jr. announced the CDC's reversal of recommendations for vaccines for healthy children, prompting a lawsuit from medical organizations.

COVID-19 rates in the Southwestern United States have reached 12.5%. The newly detected Stratus variant is a significant contributor to this surge.

The Stratus variant, first detected in Asia, became the predominant strain in the U.S. by June, accounting for two-thirds of detected variants.

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