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COVID Cases Rise in 19 States Ahead of Thanksgiving
23 Nov, 2025
Summary
- COVID-19 infections are increasing or likely increasing in 19 US states.
- The CDC notes that infection rates remain very low nationwide.
- Thanksgiving gatherings pose a risk for potential virus spread.
Infections with COVID-19 are showing an upward trend or are likely to increase in 19 states across the United States, just over a week before Thanksgiving. This rise in cases, as of November 18, is occurring in states including Colorado, Louisiana, and Pennsylvania. Despite these increases, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizes that the weekly percentage of emergency department visits diagnosed with COVID-19 remains very low nationwide.
The data, based on incident emergency department visits, indicates that while the disease is not the urgent public health crisis it once was, community transmission is still occurring. The higher test positivity rate this year peaked in late August, but hospitalizations and deaths related to COVID-19 are at significantly lower levels compared to 2021. Wastewater monitoring also suggests overall viral activity is at a low level.
As large groups gather for holidays like Thanksgiving, the potential for virus transmission increases. The CDC recommends considering the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine, particularly for individuals aged 65 and older and other vulnerable groups, to prevent severe illness. While vaccination is based on individual decisions, it remains a key tool in managing the disease's impact.
