The Weather (according to Wastewater)
According to data last updated 10/5/2024, the CDC’s national wastewater map shows 16 states with “High” or “Very High” wastewater levels. There is no data for Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, or North Dakota. Arizona, Michigan, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, and South Dakota are indicated as having limited coverage, which means that data in these states represent less than 5% of the population.
Although CDC has updated the map coloring, the original “activity levels” that allow two color gradations per named level (“Low,” “Moderate,” or “High” for example) are still available within the dataset. For this report, we have kept our recent color scheme. If we make updates to the color scheme in the future, we will note any changes within the map legend as well as the text of the Weather Report.
According to the Wastewater COVID-19 National and Regional Trends dashboard, all regions continue to show a downward trend over the last several weeks. Notably, the provisional data (within the last two weeks, indicated by the gray box) can change as additional wastewater data are collected.
Although some states and regions have recently moved to lower categories of wastewater levels, the categories have not been validated in terms of correlations with case-level data or overall risk in daily life. A downward trend is certainly better than increasing levels; however, the only way to ensure sustained decreases in COVID spread is multilayered protections with strong societal support, including paid sick leave and robust work from home options. A downward trend may soon be followed by increases driven by people gathering without precautions, including the upcoming fall and winter holidays. See our Safer Gatherings brief guide for gathering options that are inclusive and show community care. Multilayered precautions, including masking wherever you share air, continue to be warranted regardless of wastewater levels in the ongoing pandemic, to protect yourself and your community.
You can find additional information for some locations on CDC’s state/territory trends page as well as the WastewaterSCAN dashboard, and on your state health department or other local dashboards, if available.
Wins
Thanks to all of those who sent letters to their elected officials and to those who went out into their communities to encourage others to demand free vaccines for all! So far, we’ve sent over 6000 letters! It’s not too late to send your letter or to share with your friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors! No one should have to decide between getting a vaccine or paying rent.
Many Bay Area counties are set to reimplement mask mandates in hospitals from November 1 through Spring 2025. Some of the rules apply to only certain healthcare staff while others include visitors and patients. Though these mandates are limited in scope, duration, and geography, a few are expanded compared to last year’s Bay Area mask rules, a sign that pressure on decision makers is working.
Bird Flu (H5N1, highly pathogenic avian influenza)
In the past week, the California Department of Public Health reported that 6 new cases of bird flu (H5N1) were confirmed in dairy workers in California, with each case being connected to contact with infected cattle in California’s Central Valley. While there is yet no documented human-to-human transmission, each new case presents a greater risk of the virus mutating to spread from human to human. Dairy workers can protect themselves and their loved ones by wearing PPE at work such as a high quality mask (N95, KN94), safety goggles, disposable gloves, and water resistant coveralls. State and federal agencies must mandate regular testing of all at-risk animals and workers, and provide free PPE and paid sick leave in the event of an infection in order to limit the spread of bird flu and protect the public’s health.
FDA’s vaccine committee met to discuss the available options for H5 direct influenza vaccines. The currently available licensed vaccines directed at H5 influenza are outdated (targeted to different strains, from 2020 and earlier). A procedure to update the license was proposed, although the discussion seemed to lack urgency in terms of protecting farm workers.
“FDA leaders proposed having manufacturers test the safety and immunogenicity of updated vaccines and submit a strain change supplement to their license before a pandemic.”
“While human cases have been sporadic, there’s no indication the virus has changed in a way that would make it easier to spread among humans, according to Todd Davis, Ph.D., M.S.P.H., acting branch chief in the Virology, Surveillances and Diagnosis Branch of NCIRD’s Influenza Division.”
We want to re-emphasize the need for seasonal influenza vaccination this year, and recommend that everyone who can be vaccinated gets vaccinated as soon as they can. This would set us up better for addressing any potential outbreak of bird flu.
Tomar acción
El Texas State Affairs Committee posted notice of a hearing at the Capitol on October 16 to discuss, among other things, “Unmasking Protestors.” Opposition is mounting, and people are organizing. Get involved! CAIR-TX is gathering written testimony for those who are unable to attend in person. Submit your written statement here. Texas Civil Rights Project and Clean the Air ATX put together a petition for you to sign to oppose mask bans in Texas.
Monday is Indigenous People’s Day—a reminder that we should all strive for Indigenous sovereignty.
Notes: 1) The numbers in this report were current as of 10/12/2024. 2) Check out the links throughout & see our website for more at https://peoplescdc.org. 3) Subscribe to our newsletter: People’s CDC | Substack.