Cases of COVID-19 began spiking across the United States during late summer in what’s become an annual seasonal surge. As the weather cools and respiratory virus season gets into full swing, infections continue to grow, with Pennsylvania seeing more cases.
Whether viral levels in the state are categorized as “low” depends on the source. But data across the board points to rising COVID activity in Pennsylvania and much of the United States. According to CDC data, at least 12 states are experiencing moderate to very high levels of COVID-19 activity.
Wastewater data shows viral activity throughout the country. Pennsylvania is experiencing very low levels of COVID-19 viral activity, meaning the state was seeing up to 2.6 times the baseline level. WastewaterSCAN, a surveillance program operated by Stanford University, indicates COVID activity remains high nationwide and has risen sharply in recent weeks.
In Pennsylvania, WastewaterSCAN data show an increase from early August into early September, with dips and peaks as viral activity continued to rise between Sept. 10 and Sept. 24, the most recent date available as of Sept. 30. Activity began rising in July after dropping to relatively low levels in April, then increased rapidly in August. The state’s highest level in the past 12 months occurred Dec. 30, 2025.
CDC Rt Estimates, which measure how quickly seasonal respiratory viruses are spreading, indicate COVID-19 infections are growing or probably growing in 27 states, declining or probably declining in 13 states, and unchanged in 10 states. In Pennsylvania, COVID activity is growing, according to the estimates.
COVID-19 Symptoms and Testing
Doctors and health professionals recommend that everyone 6 months of age and older get vaccinated against COVID-19 during flu season because the symptoms overlap. Your immune system may be weakened by one infection, leaving you more vulnerable to others.
COVID-19 and the flu share several symptoms. If you test for COVID, you are probably using an antigen test, also known as a rapid test, because these are among the least expensive and most accessible options. Antigen tests are less likely to detect COVID than more sensitive PCR tests, so one negative result can’t rule out an infection, according to the CDC. A single positive result is a reliable way to confirm COVID.
The FDA recommends taking two tests 48 hours apart to confirm you don’t have COVID if you have symptoms, and three tests 48 hours apart if you have no symptoms but were exposed.
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