Summary
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that COVID-19 infections are increasing or likely to increase in 19 U.S. states ahead of Thanksgiving. The overall risk of COVID-19 remains low, but the virus could spread more during gatherings like Thanksgiving. Vaccination rates have improved, with 70% of the American population fully vaccinated.
Key Facts
- As of November 18, COVID-19 cases were rising or likely to rise in 19 states, including Colorado, Indiana, and Texas.
- In four states, COVID-19 cases were declining or likely to decline.
- The CDC found that the weekly percentage of emergency department visits for COVID-19 was very low.
- Nearly 1.2 million people in the U.S. have died from COVID-19 as of June 2024.
- The test positivity rate, which shows how many total tests are positive, was 6.7% as of September 27.
- The CDC recommended COVID-19 vaccines for everyone 6 months and older for the 2025-2026 season.
- COVID-19 accounted for 0.8% of all deaths in the nation for the week ending September 20, one of the lowest rates in three years.
