It seems like everyone is getting sick these days, and it’s true: COVID-19 cases are on the rise again in California.
State wastewater data shows this summer’s levels are approaching those expected in summer 2022.
Here’s what the California data shows:
Wastewater levels are at similar levels to previous peaks
Based on data for the week ending July 26, Coronavirus concentrations in California wastewater It has been considered “very high” since early July, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A total of 37 states and the District of Columbia have “high” or “very high” COVID-19 discharge rates.
Nationally, wastewater viral activity levels for COVID-19 are currently “high.”
Current wastewater levels are approaching levels observed in June and July 2022, also classified as “very high.” Those levels were observed in December 2022, December 2023 and again in January of this year.
Positive test rates are rising
California’s test positivity rate is also rising.
The state’s current seven-day test positivity rate is 13.8%, according to data reported July 26. This represents a 2.3% increase from the previous week, according to the California Department of Public Health.
Compared to past summers, the test positivity rate is approaching the high it reached in the summer of 2022, when it peaked at 16.1%.
KP.3 and KP.3.1.1 are the predominant variants in Japan
of CDC We are monitoring the COVID-19 variant KP.3.1.1 as it is approaching KP.3.
Government agencies Nowcast Data TrackerAccording to the report, which shows a two-week forecast of COVID-19 variants from July 7 to July 20, the KP.3 variant accounts for 32.9% of positive cases, followed by KP.3.1.1 at 17.7%. Two variants account for 50.6% of cases.
“The KP.3.1.1 variant is very similar to other variants circulating in the United States. All current lineages are descendants of JN.1, which emerged in late 2023,” CDC spokesperson Rosa Norman said. He told USA TODAY.
COVID-19 Symptoms
Symptoms of COVID-19 can appear two to 14 days after exposure to the virus and can range from mild to severe.
Symptoms may include:
- Fever or chills
- cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Malaise
- Muscle and body pain
- headache
- Loss of taste or smell
- sore throat
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- diarrhea
The CDC says people should see a doctor if they have any of the following symptoms:
- Difficulty breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion
- Inability to wake up or stay awake
- Pale, gray, or blue skin, lips, or nail beds
Vaccines and treatments remain protective
In an interview with USA Today, Norman said the CDC expects currently available COVID-19 treatments and vaccines to continue to be effective against all circulating variants.
The CDC: everyone Anyone 6 months of age or older will receive the updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine.
How many people have died from COVID-19 in California?
Since the pandemic began, 101,159 people in California have died from COVID-19. Johns Hopkins University.
USA Today contributed to this report.
Ema Sasic covers entertainment and wellness in the Coachella Valley. She can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @ema_sasic.
