U.S. late-summer COVID-19 rise, vaccine-access gaps, and long-COVID burden

COVID-19 activity is increasing in parts of the U.S. in late summer 2026, reflected in wastewater, emergency visits, and regional surveillance, though intensity varies. A reported FDA-to-CDC access gap may delay updated pediatric vaccines for some uninsured children; long COVID remains a substantial disability concern, while fisetin's human evidence is insufficient and preliminary bezisterim findings were not statistically significant overall.