COVID-19 infections are climbing across nearly the entire country as the U.S. enters what experts call an expected summer wave. According to the CDC, cases are growing or likely growing in 45 states as of Aug. 5.
Experts say the U.S. typically experiences two annual COVID waves: a summer rise followed by a larger winter surge. Summer spikes often coincide with increased travel and indoor gatherings. “We’ve been anticipating this rise, and this is about the time we would expect to see it,” says Dr. William Schaffner of Vanderbilt University.
Wastewater surveillance and hospital data confirm rising transmission, especially among children. Emergency visits for COVID are up nationwide, and positivity rates reached 8.6% in early August, up 2% from the prior week. Researchers estimate the U.S. is averaging more than 500,000 new daily infections, though underreporting makes the true scale uncertain.
This year’s uptick is fueled by two fast-spreading omicron subvariants: Nimbus (NB.1.8.1), now the dominant strain in the U.S., and Stratus (XFG), a newer variant spreading globally. Both appear more transmissible than earlier strains but are not linked to more severe illness. Nimbus is known for causing a painful sore throat, nicknamed “razor blade throat.”
Common symptoms this summer remain familiar: sore throat, fever, cough, congestion, headache, fatigue, and loss of taste or smell. Testing remains the only way to distinguish COVID from other seasonal viruses. For those who test positive, antivirals such as Paxlovid are recommended, especially for high-risk groups like older adults and people with chronic conditions.
Vaccination continues to offer strong protection against severe illness. The 2024–25 COVID shots remain effective against Nimbus and Stratus, and health officials recommend anyone who hasn’t been vaccinated in the past year to get a dose. High-risk individuals may need an additional shot before fall. New vaccines targeting a different variant are expected later this year.
Experts advise simple precautions during the surge: stay up to date on vaccines, test if you have symptoms or exposures, isolate if sick, and consider wearing N95 masks in crowded indoor spaces. While it’s too early to predict how large this wave will be, experts expect it will remain smaller than typical winter surges.
Differing Vaccination Recommendations
For the first time in 30 years, the American Academy of Pediatrics is substantially diverging from U.S. government vaccine recommendations.
The group’s new COVID-19 recommendations — released earlier this month — come amid a tumultuous year for public health, as vaccine skeptics have come into power in the new Trump administration and government guidance has become increasingly confusing.
The AAP is strongly recommending COVID-19 shots for children ages 6 months to 2 years. Shots also are advised for older children if parents want their kids vaccinated, the AAP said.
That differs from guidance established under U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., which doesn’t recommend the shots for healthy children of any age but says kids may get the shots in consultation with physicians.