The US is seeing a summer surge in COVID-19 infections, with 35 states reporting rising cases, according to the latest update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).The September 9 update said cases are declining in eight states and unchanged in seven. COVID-related emergency department visits remain low, while the probability of the epidemic growing is 73%, as per CDC. The cases are expected to grow in the coming weeks.COVID Activity Rising In USCOVID activity is elevated nationally, but hospitalizations remain low, with the highest rates among infants and adults aged 65 and older.California, Nevada and Texas have the highest wastewater levels of COVID among US states, according to CDC data.A south Texas school district reportedly closed for two days in August due to the spread of COVID, citing the need to “protect the health and safety” of students and staff.Why Is COVID Rising This Summer?Experts say the summer wave is not unexpected. SARS-CoV-2 spreads year-round but has developed a seasonal pattern in the US.“We’ve had two waves (every year). One in the middle to late summer, and the other during the winter,” Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, toldTODAY.com.“We’re expecting transmission to peak about a week into September,” said Michael Hoerger, assistant professor at Tulane University School of Medicine was also quoted as saying.With temperatures dropping and children returning to school, opportunities for transmission could increase.“We need to be very cautious,” Schaffner added.Which COVID Variants Are Spreading?WastewaterSCAN data is detecting XFG, LF.7, NB.1.8.1 and BA.3.2. XFG.1.1 and its sublineages accounted for nearly half of US cases in July, according to CDC data. BA.3.2, or Cicada, accounts for less than 10% of cases and has not taken off in the US.Although there is no new variant, that does not mean COVID-19 cannot cause severe disease, experts noted.COVID Symptoms 2026Symptoms remain similar to those caused by other Omicron strains and usually appear two to 14 days after exposure.Common symptoms include:CoughSore throatCongestionFatigueFeverChillsShortness of breathHeadacheNausea and vomitingDiarrheaMany people are reporting an intense sore throat, according to Thomas Russo, professor and chief of infectious diseases at the University at Buffalo in New York.“Some people feel like it’s the worst sore throat ever, like razor blades in the throat. But it can be more mild in others," he was quoted as saying to Prevention.comNausea and diarrhoea can also occur alongside respiratory symptoms.While for majority COVID will be a flu-like illness, for some it can cause more severe illness like pneumonia and shortness of breath.Are Vaccines Available? Adults over 65, infants, people with weakened immune systems or underlying conditions, and those who have never received a COVID vaccine face a higher risk of severe illness or hospitalization, says Schaffner.In May, the US FDA voted to recommend an updated 2026-2027 COVID vaccine targeting XFG. On August 28, the FDA approved monovalent 2026-2027 COVID vaccines from Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech and Novavax-Sanofi.The updated vaccines are expected to roll out at pharmacies, clinics and hospitals in September.