The resurgence of COVID-19 infections during the summer of 2025 has raised significant public health concerns across at least 26 states and Washington, D.C. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), these rising cases are accompanied by a notable increase in emergency room visits, particularly among young children, marking the highest levels since March . The emergence of new variants, referred to as Nimbus and Stratus, has been documented; however, they do not exhibit increased lethality compared to earlier strains. This indicates a complex interplay between variant evolution and public health responses.
chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook told "CBS Mornings" Monday this is typical of what we've come to understand about summer spikes in cases.
"We now know that there's a winter spike and then there's a summer spike," he said. "And every year, I just looked last night, the number of deaths, the number of hospitalizations, is gradually going down each season. So that's the good news."
"If it strikes you, especially for the vulnerable, and we're talking about very young children under age of 4, the elderly, people who are immunocompromised — there are millions of people who are immunocompromised out there — they can really get sick," LaPook said.
The latest COVID variants, nicknamed Nimbus and Stratus, are "no more deadly" than previous variants, LaPook said.
Data on previous variants, like NB.1.8.1 from earlier this year, for example, also did not show more severe illness compared to previous variants. Symptoms were broadly similar to those seen in earlier strains, too, including respiratory issues such as cough and sore throat, as well as systemic issues like fever and fatigue.
"The vaccines that were made for this season do cover the current variants, so that's good news," LaPook said. "I think the bottom line here is: Don't be blasé. It's the summer, people have all sorts of things. Be careful."
Experts predict that this summer wave could peak in late July or August, potentially overwhelming healthcare systems if not managed effectively . The CDC has warned that increased social interactions during the warmer months may further exacerbate the spread of these variants. Consequently, public health officials are urging communities to remain vigilant by promoting vaccination efforts and encouraging preventive measures such as mask-wearing in high-risk areas. This proactive approach is crucial for mitigating the impact of this anticipated wave.
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