The national rate fell to 1.3% for the week ending April 18, 2026, down from 1.7% the prior week.
Current reports indicate it causes typical upper respiratory issues like severe sore throat, congestion, and dry cough. Regional Variations Current Epidemic Trends (Based on R t ) for States - CDC
Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 remain at 0.2%, while new hospital admissions have stabilized at approximately 1,500 per week. Variant Spotlight: "Cicada" (BA.3.2)
Due to its high mutation count, experts believe it may partially evade immunity from past vaccines or infections.