As of July 20, there were 13.53 coronavirus RNA copies per milliliter of waste water in Massachusetts, compared to 6.14 copies per milliliter nationally. Just two weeks earlier, Massachusetts levels were recorded at 3.64 copies per milliliter, according to the CDC.
The increase is indicative of a “late summer wave” of the virus, something that has happened the past few years, according to a spokesperson for the state Department of Public Health. The increase is lower than what the state generally sees during the winter.
The number of people who become severely ill or die from COVID-19 is “quite low” due to high vaccination rates and the ability of people to fend off the virus naturally, the spokesperson said.
New Hampshire saw a similarly sharp increase, according to the CDC. As of July 20, tests found 14.49 coronavirus RNA copies per milliliter of waste water, the CDC reported. Two weeks earlier, on July 6, test results recorded 4.93 coronavirus RNA copies per milliliter.
Massachusetts and New Hampshire are among the 19 states with “very high” levels of the virus, the CDC data show.
Maine and Connecticut have a “high” level of the virus, while Vermont and Rhode Island have “moderate” levels, the CDC said.
Other states registering “very high” levels include Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming, according to the CDC.
John R. Ellement can be reached at john.ellement@globe.com. Follow him @JREbosglobe.
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