Why is it spreading again in the summer? — The Truth Behind the 2025 "Summer COVID": When You Thought It Was Just a "Common Summer Cold"...

In the summer of 2025, COVID-19 infection indicators are once again rising, particularly in the United States. This trend is attributed to the recurring seasonal patterns of summer, changes in people's behavior (such as returning indoors due to extreme heat, increased travel and events, and a decline in mask-wearing habits), and the emergence of new variants. Reports and expert analyses highlight the expansion of variants like NB.1.8.1 (commonly known as "Nimbus") and XFG (commonly known as "Stratus"), noting the prevalence of severe sore throat symptoms and the rising indicators in wastewater surveillance and emergency department visits. On social media, posts expressing concerns such as "Another summer wave?", "Worried about school reopening," and "When should I get vaccinated?" are spreading. However, some analyses suggest that severe cases are not widely increasing. Strengthening practical measures such as indoor ventilation, wearing masks in crowded places, staying home when feeling unwell, and keeping up with updates on fall vaccine boosters are key points for this summer.