The pace of new Covid-19 hospitalizations has also climbed nationwide, up 13.8% from the week prior. In nursing homes this week the CDC tallied the worst rate of Covid-19 infections in residents since last February.

According to the CDC’s weekly update, over 10 large counties with more than 1 million residents are at a “high” Covid 19 level.

The list includes much of the New York metro area. Officials in the state recently urged schools to return to indoor masking to curb the spread of Covid-19 as well as the respiratory virus RSV and influenza.

Authorities in Los Angeles have also warned that indoor masking rules might return there as cases have mounted.

Meanwhile, in nursing homes this week, the CDC reported the worst rate of pandemic virus infections in residents since last February.

“We are seeing a clear uptick in infections of Covid pretty much in every region of the country, up about 40% over the last couple of weeks. So three challenges all arriving at the same time. There’s going to be some bumpy days ahead,” Dr. Ashish Jha, the White House’s top Covid-19 official, told the Health Action Alliance at an event Thursday.

Jha said he urged people to seek out treatments for the disease as well as an updated Covid-19 booster.

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