COVID-19 appears to be picking up again across Texas, but the latest federal data comes with an important caveat: growing doesn’t necessarily mean severe.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s latest epidemic estimates show COVID-19 infections are growing or likely growing in 48 states, including Texas. The agency’s Texas map shows widespread growth across much of the state based on emergency department data.
The agency’s Texas map shows widespread growth across much of the state based on emergency department data. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
But the CDC is careful about what that actually means.
“Epidemic trends indicate direction only and do not reflect the burden of disease,” the agency notes, meaning the map can show infections increasing without telling us how many Texans are seriously ill.
And nationally, that burden remains relatively low.
The CDC’s Respiratory Illnesses Data Channel says COVID-19 activity is increasing nationally and regionally, particularly in the South and West, while the overall amount of acute respiratory illness sending people to seek health care remains “very low.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s latest epidemic estimates show COVID-19 infections are growing or likely growing in 48 states, including Texas. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
There are signs of the increase closer to home, though.
Harris County Public Health uses wastewater testing to track COVID-19 because traces of the virus can appear in sewage before people feel sick or seek medical care. Chron reported earlier this week that Harris County wastewater activity had reached high levels, with some areas including Katy and Cypress classified as very high.
The virus has also started disrupting at least one Texas school district. San Perlita ISD in South Texas closed campuses for two days this week after officials reported a rapid spread of COVID-19 among the small district’s community.
More News
Legal | Texas oil tycoons drop fight over $64M Montana ranch use
| Accused Harris County HOA attacker hailed as ‘hero’
| AI mobility company plans over 300 layoffs at DFW Airport
Traveler’s Table | Lawsuit reveals Ring footage before owner’s deaths
For the latest and best from Chron, sign up for our daily newsletter here.
This article originally published at COVID-19 is growing again across Texas, CDC data shows.