Referring the recent results of wastewater samples analysis from 83 cities, the CIDRAP writes “latest surge of COVID-19 cases caused by the Omicron variant may have already peaked in major urban areas but is on the rise in rural communities”.

“In the Twin Cities, Minnesota Public Radio reports that Omicron cases likely peaked on Jan 10 and have been declining since that date based on sewage samples,” writes the CIDRAP.

SARS-CoV-2 can be shed in the feces of individuals with symptomatic or asymptomatic infection; therefore, wastewater surveillance can capture data on both types of infection.

– The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (source: CIDRAP)

According the Reuters News, COVID-19 infections have decreased in 19 states plus Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico, an analysis of the past week through Thursday (see below).

However, local health officials are reportedly pleads for caution to not be too optimistic.

• Omicron Cases Appear to Peak in U.S., but Deaths Continue to Rise
• Omicron cases dip in the US overall, but the wave is far from over in many parts of the country
• Is COVID retreating in the U.S.? Data paints encouraging scenario
• Wastewater suggests Omicron is receding in US cities

The New York Times reporters Mitch Smith, Julie Bosman and Tracey Tully write that more and more states were reporting a decreasing trends of newly reported Omicron cases.

Mark D. Levine, Manhattan’s borough president, told the Times “Especially after this wave, the level of exhaustion in New York City cannot be exaggerated, and the level of numbness is quite significant. What we have to do now is not pretend like Covid has disappeared, but manage it to the point where it does not disrupt our life.”

Recently US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy told CNN There are parts of the country — New York, in particular, and other parts of the Northeast — where we are starting to see a plateau and, in some cases, an early decline in cases. The challenge is that the entire country is not moving at the same pace. The Omicron wave started later in other parts of the country, so we shouldn’t expect a national peak in the next coming days.”