COVID Cases Rise in Many US States This Summer
COVID-19 cases are rising across nearly every US state this summer, even though the traditional respiratory virus season has not started yet. Health experts say this early surge is worth paying attention to.
Usually, more respiratory illnesses appear in the fall and winter months. This year, however, COVID cases have started climbing much earlier than expected, according to health reports.
Officials have shared maps showing which states have the highest number of rising cases. These maps help people see how the virus is spreading across different parts of the country.
Health experts are reminding people to watch for common COVID symptoms. These include cough, fever, tiredness, and sometimes a loss of smell or taste. People who feel unwell are encouraged to get tested.
A COVID test can confirm whether someone has the virus. This helps people decide whether they need to stay home to avoid spreading it to others.
Doctors also recommend that people consider getting an updated vaccine. Vaccines can lower the risk of serious illness, even if they do not always prevent infection completely.
Public health guidelines are being updated as case numbers rise. These guidelines give advice about testing, staying home, and protecting people who are more at risk, such as older adults.
Health officials say they will continue tracking the surge closely over the coming weeks, especially as the usual virus season approaches later this year.
Vocabulary10 words
- surge
- a sudden big rise in numbers
- respiratory
- related to breathing
- symptom
- a sign that a person is sick
- smell
- the sense used to notice how things smell
- test
- a medical check to find out if someone is sick
- vaccine
- medicine that helps prevent a sickness
- guideline
- official advice on what to do
- infection
- when a virus or germ enters the body
- at risk
- more likely to be harmed
- track
- to follow and watch something over time
Quiz
Answer key
1. It is happening before the normal virus season starts 2. Which states have rising COVID cases 3. False
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
COVID-19 cases are rising across nearly every US state this summer, even though the traditional respiratory virus season has not _____ yet. Health experts say this early _____ is worth paying attention to.
Usually, more respiratory illnesses appear in the fall and winter months. This year, however, COVID cases have started climbing much _____ than expected, according to health reports.
Officials have shared _____ showing which states have the highest number of rising cases.
Health experts are reminding people to watch for common COVID _____. These include cough, fever, tiredness, and sometimes a loss of smell or taste.
A COVID _____ can confirm whether someone has the virus. This helps people decide whether they need to stay home.
Doctors also recommend that people consider getting an updated _____. Vaccines can lower the risk of serious illness.
Public health _____ are being updated as case numbers rise.
Health officials say they will continue _____ the surge closely over the coming weeks.
Discussion questions
- Why might COVID cases be rising earlier than the usual virus season this year?
- How useful do you think maps are for tracking disease outbreaks?
- Would you get tested if you had mild symptoms like a cough or fever? Why or why not?
- What steps do you personally take to avoid getting sick during virus season?
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