Data shows overall resistance to masks, but lower Paxlovid prescription and vaccination rates for people of color

The wastewater viral activity level for COVID-19 is high and very high in 26 states right now, according to the CDC, with more than 70% of illnesses stemming from a highly contagious COVID strain known as the flirt variant. Andrew Pekosz is the professor and vice chair of molecular microbiology and immunology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. He joined CBS News to talk about the spike in cases.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for COVID-19 still call for a period of isolation for those dealing with the virus. This comes after a summer COVID wave appears to have grown in some parts of the country. CBS News medical contributor Dr. Céline Gounder has more on the current protocols in place.