Unlike previous years, where winter waves began in November, this year’s surge has started later. Wastewater surveillance data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals a sharp increase in viral activity. As of December 21, SARS-CoV-2 levels are classified as “high” or “very high” in 28 states.

They're calling it "silent" because the wave follows a long period of unusually low COVID activity this fall, so many people are unaware that COVID levels have risen sharply over the past two weeks, the most recent wastewater surveillance data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show.

Wastewater surveillance suggests that we in the midst of what's being called a "Silent" COVID-19 surge fueled by the XEC variant of the SARS-CoV-2. Here's what to do.