USA – More than half of U.S. states are reporting “very high” levels of COVID activity as the virus continues to spread and increase in many parts of the country, according to the latest wastewater data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

At least 27 states are reporting “very high” levels and 17 states are reporting “high” levels of wastewater viral activity. The western region continues to see the highest levels followed by the South, Midwest and Northeast, respectively.

Current levels are nearing but remain lower than what they were in the winter months, when there tends to be increased spread of respiratory illnesses. Wastewater data comes with limitations in how well it represents spread in a community, but it may be the best data available, experts say.

“While wastewater is not a perfect measure, it’s increasingly vital in filling the gaps left by the absence of comprehensive case reporting and hospitalization data,” said Dr. John Brownstein, an epidemiologist and chief innovation officer at Boston Children’s Hospital and an ABC News contributor. Many national surveillance systems have diminished in scope since the national public health emergency ended, leaving authorities will limited resources to monitor how the virus is spreading.

“As traditional surveillance systems have dwindled, wastewater analysis has emerged as one of the most reliable tools we have to monitor COVID-19 activity in communities,” Brownstein added. Other limited COVID surveillance systems such as emergency department visits and test positivity are also on the rise, according to CDC data. Deaths from the virus remain relatively flat, especially compared to previous years. Updated COVID vaccines are set to be available this fall, according to federal health authorities. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommended that vaccine manufacturers formulate shots based on the KP.2 strain, an offshoot of the omicron variant that is currently estimated to make up about 6% of cases. Genetically similar variants, known as KP.3.1.1 and KP.3, currently make up almost half of estimated cases, CDC data shows. (ABC news)…[+]

SAN JUAN –  Puerto Rico activated the National Guard and canceled the start of classes in public schools as forecasters warned that the US territory would be hit by Tropical Storm Ernesto, which formed in the Atlantic Ocean Monday.

Tropical storm warnings were in effect for Puerto Rico, the US and British Virgin Islands, Antigua, Barbuda, Anguilla, St Kitts, Nevis, Montserrat, Guadeloupe, St. Martin, St Barts and St Maarten.

The storm was located about 295 miles (475 kilometers) off Antigua. It had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 kph) and was moving west-northwest at 28 mph (44 kph). Ernesto is the fifth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season. Officials in the French Caribbean said the storm was expected to drench Guadeloupe today and pass near St Barts and St Martin. The National Hurricane Center said Ernesto is forecast to approach Puerto Rico and the US and British Virgin Islands on Tuesday evening. (Jamaica-gleaner)…[+]

GUYANA – With the cost to produce oil in Guyana being among the cheapest in the world, ExxonMobil Guyana Limited EMGL and its Stabroek Block partners are guaranteed to make a profit, even if oil prices drop by half. ExxonMobil Guyana is the operator of the Stabroek Block with a 45% interest, while Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. holds 30% interest and China National Offshore Oil Corporation CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited holds 25% interest.

Guyana has emerged as one of the fastest growing economies in the world, owed to the oil production offshore. Bloomberg’s Kevin Crowley in a recent article stated that Guyana has become the bedrock of Exxon’s post-Covid corporate revival. It was stated too, The Stabroek Block costs less than US$35 a barrel to produce, making it one of the most profitable outside of OPEC. With crude currently trading at US$85 a barrel, the oil field would make money even if the transition from fossil fuels caused demand to collapse and prices dropped by half.

Kaieteur News had reported that the cost to produce a barrel of oil in Guyana is among the lowest, said the International Energy Forum IEF and S&P Commodity Insights in a June 2024 report. The report titled, “Upstream Oil and Gas Investment Outlook” sheds light on the changing dynamics of global oil production costs, with particular emphasis on Guyana’s position as a cost-effective producer in the industry.

According to the findings of the report, the cost of oil production worldwide has experienced an increase. The report highlights that the majority of new oil supplies can be extracted at an average cost of US$60 per barrel Brent or less. Among the regions identified for their competitive production costs are Guyana, the Middle East, and West Africa. The report reveals that the Middle East boasts the lowest average breakeven price at approximately US$30 per barrel Brent, followed closely by Guyana with a breakeven price of US$36 per barrel Brent. Last month, this publication reported that according to Phillip Rietema, Vice President and Business Service Manager at EMGL, the company’s Guyana projects compete internationally and are some of the bests in the world.

Exxon is currently producing over 600,000 barrels per day bpd from just three projects in the Stabroek Block Liza Phase 1, Liza Phase 2 and Payara. Currently, the block’s partners plan for the combined production capacity to reach approximately 1.3 million b/d by the end of 2027, with plans to develop three additional projects: Yellowtail, Uaru, and Whiptail.  (Kaieteur News) …[+]