US: COVID-19 transmission continues nationwide as of January /update 16

Event

Community transmission of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues throughout the country, and the risk of infection remains high regardless of destination in the US. From Jan. 19-25, 2021, the risk of infection was highest in the State of Arizona, reporting an incidence rate of more than 90 cases per 100,000 population.

At the nationwide level, authorities report an overall increase in cases since early September 2020, in part due to the resumption of in-person education in some states, as well as the easing of business and movement restrictions. Continued population movement will likely create new localized outbreaks of infection in areas where transmission was previously decreasing.

Authorities have identified a total of 25,018,520 confirmed and presumptive positive cases of COVID-19, according to US CDC data through Jan. 25, 2021. The incidence rate of COVID-19 (cases per 100,000 people, a better indicator of an infection risk than case count alone) indicates the risk of infection during this outbreak overall is highest in North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Tennessee. In line with this data, the incidence rates are as follows, according to US CDC data through Jan. 25:

Incidence rate of more than 9,076 cases per 100,000:

• North Dakota

• South Dakota

• Utah

• Tennessee

• Rhode Island

• Wisconsin

• Arizona

• Iowa

• Nebraska

• Oklahoma

• Arkansas

• Kansas

• Indiana

Incidence rate 8,998-8,068 cases per 100,000:

• Alabama

• Idaho

• Mississippi

• Nevada

• Wyoming

• Illinois

• Montana

• Louisiana

• Georgia

• South Carolina

• New Mexico

• Minnesota

Incidence rate 7,869-7,048 cases per 100,000:

• California

• Kentucky

• Texas

• Delaware

• Florida

• New Jersey

• Ohio

• Missouri

• Alaska

• Massachusetts

Incidence rate 6,932-6,280 cases per 100,000:

• New York

• New York City

• North Carolina

• Colorado

• Connecticut

• West Virginia

• Pennsylvania

Incidence rate 5,975-2,236 cases per 100,000:

• Michigan

• Maryland

• Virginia

• District of Columbia

• New Hampshire

• Guam

• Washington

• Oregon

• Puerto Rico

• Maine

• Virgin Islands

Incidence rate of fewer than 1,976 cases per 100,000:

• Vermont

• Hawaii

• Republic of Marshall Islands

• American Samoa

• Federated States of Micronesia

Additional cases may be added to this list at any time as disease surveillance and testing continues.

Context

COVID-19 is a viral respiratory disease caused by infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Human-to-human transmission does occur, primarily through respiratory droplets from infected individuals or contact with contaminated surfaces or objects. Symptoms occur 1-14 days following exposure (average of 3-7 days). These symptoms typically include fever, fatigue, and dry cough; less common symptoms include headache, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell, reddening of the eyes, skin rash, or discoloration of the fingers or toes. Symptoms may worsen to difficulty breathing, pneumonia, and organ failure - especially in those with underlying, chronic medical conditions. Some infected individuals display no symptoms.

Older individuals and people of any age with chronic medical conditions or compromised immunity should consider postponing nonessential travel, including domestic travel, and take special precautions to avoid becoming ill, especially where sustained community transmission of COVID-19 is ongoing. All individuals should monitor their health and limit interactions with others for 14 days after returning from travel.

Advice

Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.

Resources

State and Territorial Health Department Websites
WHO coronavirus knowledge base
WHO: Public health considerations while resuming international travel
US CDC: Guidance for Businesses and Workplaces
US CDC: Preventing COVID-19 Spread in Communities
Mental Health Considerations during COVID-19 Outbreak
US CDC: Manage Anxiety and Stress