Wastewater monitoring systems are showing a rise in the presence of the coronavirus, with data from WastewaterSCAN indicating that activity levels are now categorized as ‘high’. The increase comes after a sharp jump from July, with August levels up by 168% compared to that month. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention categorized activity as ‘low’ nationwide for the week ending September 12.
Dr. Andi L. Shane, who leads pediatric infectious disease at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and is a professor at Emory University School of Medicine, noted that while there has been a slight decrease in cases, the situation remains unstable, according to USA Today. She added that fluctuations from week to week are still common in the spread of the virus.
The CDC uses wastewater data as one method for tracking disease presence across the country. According to the CDC’s data from the week ending September 12, national viral activity was classified as ‘low’. Activity was still classified as high or very high in several states including California, Texas, Washington and Florida.
The most common strain currently identified in WastewaterSCAN samples is XFG, which was found in 65% of samples analyzed on September 12. XFG is a variant of Omicron and was first seen in Southeast Asia in January 2025.
Most strains of the virus cause similar symptoms, according to Dr. Shane, including body aches, chills, congestion, cough, runny nose, fatigue, fever and headache. A very painful sore throat sometimes described as ‘razor blade throat’ has been reported with some recent variants. The phrase has been linked more closely with variants such as NB.1.8.1 and BA.3.2 than with XFG itself.
Some strains also bring a higher chance of stomach-related issues, according to infectious disease specialist Dr. Luis Marcos from Stony Brook Medicine. He emphasized that the virus can present with symptoms beyond coughing or shortness of breath. Marcos said vomiting and diarrhea can also occur with COVID-19.
Pediatricians’ offices, public health departments, and retail pharmacies are offering COVID-19 vaccines to eligible people. Dr. Shane explained that updated vaccines are approved for individuals 65 years old and older, as well as younger people with conditions that put them at high risk of severe illness.
FDA approval varies somewhat by vaccine and age group. Spikevax is approved for people 65 and older or high-risk people from 6 months through age 64. Comirnaty is approved for people 65 and older or high-risk people ages 5 through 64. Nuvaxovid and mNexspike are approved for people 65 and older or high-risk people ages 12 through 64.
Until 2025, the vaccine was recommended broadly for most Americans. Federal recommendations changed in 2025 as health officials moved away from a universal recommendation for younger people and toward individual decision-making and greater emphasis on people at higher risk.
The FDA then limited updated vaccine approvals primarily to adults 65 and older and younger individuals with underlying health conditions. That framework remains in place for the 2026-27 vaccines. The FDA also recommended that 2026-27 vaccines target the XFG lineage.
As of September 3, CVS confirmed that updated 2026-27 COVID-19 vaccines were available at its pharmacies and MinuteClinic locations. CVS said eligible patients can receive the vaccine at no cost through most insurance plans, although availability and eligibility can vary by state and insurance coverage.
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