COVID-19 infections are increasing or likely increasing in 45 states, according to recent CDC estimates based on emergency department visit data. Here are four notes: 

The time-varying reproductive number, which estimates how many people each infected person is passing the virus to, is 1.09 nationwide. The number, combined with a 99.85% probability that the epidemic is growing, shows transmission is on the rise. 

Despite a rise in transmission, 0.87% of emergency department visits are related to COVID-19, which the CDC categorizes as a low burden. 

The rise in transmissions comes as there is growing uncertainty about vaccine access for children younger than 5, The New York Times reported Aug. 11. The FDA is considering rescinding emergency use authorization for Pfizer’s COVID-19 vacc

See Full Page