The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reporting a widespread rise in COVID-19 infections across the United States. As of August 12, infections are increasing in all states except Iowa, where data is insufficient. This marks a change from three weeks earlier, on July 22, when infections were rising in 37 states.
The CDC’s latest modeling shows that the summer wave, beginning in some Southern and Western states, has now become a national trend. Currently, 47 states are categorized as ‘Growing’ in terms of infection rates, while New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and the District of Columbia are labeled as ‘Likely Growing’. No states show stable or decreasing trends in infection according to the model. Large states like California, Texas, Florida, and New York are experiencing growth, reflecting a pattern across the Midwest, Northeast, South, and Mountain West. In many areas, there’s a higher than 99% probability that infections are on the rise.
Understanding the Map
The CDC model doesn’t measure the exact number of COVID-19 cases but analyzes whether the transmission rate is increasing or decreasing. It acts as an early indicator of disease activity shifts, often before changes are visible in other statistics. The map for August is predominantly red, signifying rising infection potential nationwide.
Expert Insights on COVID-19 in 2026
Andrew Pekosz, a professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, notes that a late summer or early fall increase in COVID-19 cases has become routine. He describes the current increase as steady rather than dramatic. Since moving into a more ‘seasonal’ phase of COVID-19, the virus behaves in expected patterns, and no new variants are presently concerning in the U.S.
Professor Pekosz emphasizes the importance of staying up-to-date with COVID-19 booster shots for prevention. He advises checking local pharmacies for antivirals and inquiring about vaccines for influenza and RSV.
Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease expert at the University of California, San Francisco, confirms a broad national wave of infections. He indicates the public should remain vigilant but not alarmed, emphasizing protection for more vulnerable groups such as older adults, pregnant women, and the immunocompromised.
The Shift from Regional to National Trends
As COVID-19 cases rise, lawmakers continue to review federal pandemic responses. Senate hearings have included testimony from key figures like Dr. Anthony Fauci, as scrutiny over past pandemic management and virus origins continues. The shift from regional stability to a nationwide increase in cases underscores a clear trend: transmission rates are climbing across nearly every corner of the country.