ATLANTA — A small summer surge in COVID-19 cases is appearing in wastewater testing across Georgia and the Southeast. While activity levels are classified as “very low” in half of the country, local data shows the region has elevated to “low” activity.
The Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tracks viral activity across the nation through wastewater monitoring systems.
Health experts report that the current strain presents primarily mild symptoms compared to the 2020 virus, frequently coinciding with the onset of the back-to-school illness season.
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Dr. Anita Varkey, regional medical director for Oak Street Health, told Channel 2’s Linda Stouffer that patients frequently mistake current COVID-19 cases for common seasonal ailments. Common symptoms of the current variant include congestion, coughing, sore throat and fatigue.
“Back to school season is oftentimes runny nose, ear infections, sort of general cold, general viral ickiness,” Varkey said. “And that is another reason why actually we may not recognize it as COVID because we’re like, oh, this is the back to to school sniffles that everyone gets.”
She noted that many individuals seek medical care believing they have minor seasonal symptoms, only to test positive for the virus.
“Patients are coming in with what they think is a runny nose, whether it’s a cold or allergies and then when we test, sure enough, it is COVID,” Varkey said.
Because symptoms overlap significantly with other respiratory infections, medical professionals emphasize that testing is the only way to confirm COVID-19. Both in-office and home test kits remain effective diagnostic tools.
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Varkey advised residents to verify the status of any older test kits stored in their homes.
“Check to make sure that if you have boxes from a season or two ago that they have not expired,” Varkey said.
While many current cases present mild symptoms, COVID-19 can still lead to serious complications for individuals with underlying health conditions. Prescription treatments are available to manage the virus after a positive result.
“We do have really effective medications that can shorten the duration of symptoms and reduce the likelihood of complications,” Varkey said. “And so that’s why testing and treatment can really be helpful.”
Despite the statewide activity level remaining low, localized testing has identified areas with elevated viral presence.
A single wastewater meter in North Fulton County, which serves 189,000 people, recorded “very high” levels of COVID-19. Health care providers recommend that individuals consult their doctors to determine the appropriate timing for flu shots and COVID-19 boosters based on their personal health needs.
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