 COVID-19 is surging again. The CDC says the amount of COVID detected in wastewater has reached high levels for the first time this summer. It also says the virus is growing or likely growing in 44 states and the District of Columbia. Seven states have very high COVID levels, including California and Oregon. As a result, states are seeing more COVID-19 related hospitalizations and emergency room visits. Health officials say a new sub variant called FLIRT is helping drive up those cases.