“Why COVID Cases Are Rising Again — Science Explains Nimbus and Stratus”

The U.S. is now facing a significant summer surge in COVID-19 cases across 45 states, driven by new variants dubbed “Nimbus” (NB.1.8.1) and “Stratus” (XFG). The CDC reports a rise in positive cases, especially in Southern and Western regions. Nimbus accounts for 43% of infections and is highly transmissible, while Stratus has quickly become the third most prevalent variant. Despite rising cases, hospitalizations remain low — driven by mild symptoms and ongoing vaccine effectiveness. Stay informed and see how public health measures are adapting in real-time. COVID summer surge, Nimbus variant, Stratus variant, NB.1.8.1, XFG variant, US COVID spike, CDC COVID update, 2025 COVID variants, rising COVID cases USA, summer COVID wave, low hospitalization, COVID vaccine effectiveness, new COVID strains USA, COVID news today, trending health news, US pandemic updates, virus surveillance, waste water COVID levels, prevention tips 2025