The past week saw newly reported cases of COVID in the U.S. drop by 25 percent compared to the previous seven days, which represents the biggest single-week drop since the beginning of the pandemic in March, according to Reuters. But top officials still warn that highly contagious variants of the virus are continuing to spread, with some fearing that it could reverse the progress that has been made in bringing numbers down. “I’m asking everyone to please keep your guard up,” Rochelle Walensky, MD, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said on Feb. 8 during a White House COVID-19 Response Team press conference. “The continued proliferation of variants remains a great concern and is a threat that could reverse the recent positive trends we are seeing.” So far, the CDC reports that emerging variant cases have been reported in at least 33 states, with 690 cases of the U.K. strain, 7 of the South African variant, and 3 of the Brazilian strain across the country. But there are already some places that have seen cases spike once more despite the national downward trend. Read on to see which states are witnessing an increase as of Feb. 8, according to Reuters, and for more on the symptoms to look out for, check out If You’re Over 65, You Could Be Missing This COVID Symptom, Study Says. One-week total of new cases per 100,000 people: 111.6 Percentage change from previous week: Up 10.8 And for more COVID news you need to know, check out Don’t Go to This One Place After Getting Vaccinated, Doctors Warn. One-week total of new cases per 100,000 people: 380 Percentage increase from previous week: 2.4 percent And for more on ways to stay safe, check out If a Restaurant Doesn’t Have These 2 Things, Don’t Eat There Right Now. One-week total of new cases per 100,000 people: 149.8ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb Percentage increase from previous week: 0.3 percent And for more regular COVID news sent right to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter. One-week total of new cases per 100,000 people: 249.1 Percentage decrease from previous week: 47.6 percent And if you’re preparing to get your COVID shot soon, know that If This Happens After Your Vaccine, the FDA Says You Should Call 911.
