As key indicators of COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus continue to fall, the number of states reporting high levels of virus activity is also decreasing.
COVID-19 admissions fell nearly 11% for the week ending Jan. 27, marking the third straight week of decreases. Many areas of the country are also seeing RSV activity decline. ED visits related to COVID and RSV both fell in the same week. However, flu activity remains high and is hinting at a post-holiday comeback.
Meanwhile, CDC data shows 18 states reported high levels of virus activity, down from the majority of states a few weeks ago. Included in this total are three states (Georgia, New Mexico and South Carolina) that saw "very high" levels. New York City reported very high levels as well.
The following 15 states reported high levels: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Wyoming. The District of Columbia also experienced high levels.
Virus activity levels reflect the weekly percentage of visits to an outpatient provider or emergency department for fever and cough or sore throat. They reflect "how the percentage in the most recent week compares to what the jurisdiction typically experiences during low circulation periods," according to the CDC. There are 13 activity levels, with 13 representing "very high" activity. Those with very high activity in the most recent week were considered level 11.