NEW CASES: Increased more than 50 percent from June to July in South Florida, which raises concerns for students who returned to school this week. STOCK PHOTO

By David L. Snelling

Miami – The COVID-19 infection rate is on the rise again, as states in the South, Mid-Atlantic and West including Florida, Alabama and Kentucky have seen the most reported cases in June and July.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), other states like Louisiana, California, Alaska and Texas have also seen a surge in COVID-19 infections for the past two months.

As of Aug. 5, the CDC said the infections are continuing to increase and most likely will hit 45 states by September.

However, new data suggests the rate could be on the decline, as health experts are already taking precautions to prevent the virus from spreading rapidly.

The CDC said hospital emergency visits are on the rise with children having the highest infection rate.

The virus that causes COVID-19, called SARS-CoV-2, continues to mutate, giving rise to highly transmissible new variants that have evolved to better evade immunity.

“These include NB.1.8.1 aka ‘Nimbus,’ which causes a painful ‘razor blade throat’,” the CDC said. “Nimbus is now the dominant variant in the U.S., accounting for 43 percent of cases as of June 21.”

COVID-19 was at its highest peak in 2020 when 103 million Americans or 31 percent of the U.S. population was infected with the virus by the end of that year, according to a new study by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.

The Midwest part of the U.S. had the highest infection rate with 60 percent of its people contracted the virus.

According to U.S. Health Statistic and Data Trends, an estimated 1.1 million in America have died from COVID-19 since the pandemic commenced, with the highest death rate among senior citizens.

While other respiratory viruses remain at low levels until the winter, experts have said COVID-19’s ability to mutate sets it apart and contributes to a much higher baseline infection rate.

New cases in South Florida including Miami-Dade and Broward counties increased more than 50 percent from June to July, which raises concerns for students who returned to school this week.

Medical experts are encouraging people to protect themselves by getting tested if they feel any symptoms and offer vaccination, especially for those who are stricken with respiratory illnesses.