COVID Wave in California: Rising Cases and Precautions

California is currently experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases, with an uptick in hospitalizations prompting some officials to encourage greater caution among the public.

This recent rise has led health authorities in various counties to recommend that residents think about wearing masks indoors once again, at least until the spread starts to ease up.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, California is showing “high” levels of coronavirus in wastewater. Notable increases are popping up from Los Angeles County to the San Francisco Bay Area and even around the state capital.

In fact, the CDC indicates that infections are “growing” or “likely growing” in 30 states, including California. Out of all U.S. regions, the West is facing the highest levels of virus in wastewater, with the South following close behind.

“California is experiencing a summer COVID wave,” remarked Dr. Aimee Sisson from Yolo County, located just west of Sacramento.

The positivity rate for COVID tests is on the rise as well. For the week ending August 23, 12.07% of tests statewide returned positive, up significantly from 6.03% for the week ending July 26.

Los Angeles County has seen a similar trend, with a positive test rate now at 13.44%, up from 8.11% four weeks prior. In Orange County, the rate jumped to 18.1% from 9.4%, while San Francisco’s figures increased from 7.1% to 8.7%.

Dr. Elizabeth Hudson, who oversees infectious diseases at Kaiser Permanente Southern California, noted that she fielded numerous calls regarding outpatient COVID-19 cases during Labor Day weekend.

“We’re definitely observing an increase in COVID patients,” Hudson stated. “Fortunately, hospitalizations are relatively low. However, wastewater levels in Los Angeles continue to rise, indicating we haven’t peaked in this current wave yet.”

This summer has seen less COVID activity compared to the previous year, which marked the state’s worst summer wave since 2022.

“We’ll have a clearer picture in the next week or two,” Hudson added. The return of students to school, along with potential travel and social gatherings over the holiday, might contribute to further virus transmission.

While overall COVID hospital admissions in California remain “low,” they are trending upward. For the week ending August 23, there were 3.62 COVID-related hospital admissions per 100,000 residents, rising from 1.9 four weeks earlier. This newer rate is also higher than the winter peak, which reached 2.61 admissions per 100,000.

Emergency department visits for COVID-like symptoms have increased in Los Angeles, Orange, and Santa Clara counties. In L.A. County, 2.8% of ER visits were for symptoms such as fever and cough, up from 2.2% a month earlier. Orange County reported 2.6%, an increase from 1.5%.

“The current positivity rate for COVID-19 is higher than it was at any point last winter,” according to Dr. Christopher Zimmerman and Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong of the Orange County Health Care Agency.

By August 23, 1.9% of hospitalizations in Orange County were linked to COVID, which is greater than winter figures but still less than half of last summer’s peak of 4%.

However, the extent and severity of this summer’s COVID wave remain uncertain, as the current rise began later than the previous year.

In Los Angeles County, COVID-19 hospitalizations are roughly comparable to last winter’s peak but remain below peaks from the past two summers, according to local health officials.

Sisson noted that coronavirus levels in wastewater are elevated in both Sacramento and West Sacramento, prompting her to suggest that everyone aged 2 and up in West Sacramento should wear a mask in indoor public spaces.

In other regions of Yolo County, where wastewater viral levels are classified as “medium,” Sisson recommends masked interactions for those aged 65 or older, those with weakened immune systems, or individuals with underlying health issues.

“Wearing a well-fitted high-quality mask like an N95 or KN95 still offers significant protection,” she emphasized.

COVID cases are also on the rise in Sacramento County, where wastewater levels are notably high, according to Casey Camacho from the county’s health department. The San Francisco Department of Public Health is similarly advising residents to consider wearing well-fitted masks in crowded indoor settings.

In Santa Clara County, COVID-related hospitalizations have increased, and wastewater viral levels remain high, similar to the levels seen in summer 2023, although they haven’t yet reached last summer’s peak. Public health officials report that hospital rates are still lower than those of recent summers.

The updated COVID vaccine for 2025-26 is anticipated to be available soon at select pharmacies. However, some express frustration over new regulations that require individuals under 65 without underlying conditions to consult a healthcare provider to receive the vaccine this fall.

“Vaccination is one of the most effective means of preventing severe illness and death due to COVID-19,” Sisson stated.

This requirement has met criticism from Dr. Jerome Adams, a former surgeon general who served under the Trump administration. He voiced concerns on social media, arguing that needing to speak with a healthcare provider beforehand creates “real access barriers.”

“Even if you are insured and can manage to see a doctor, many may hesitate to prescribe a medication ‘off label,’ given the recent controversies surrounding health department leadership,” Adams noted, referring to the skepticism about vaccines from individuals like Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Kennedy, known for his critical stance on vaccines, has called for additional studies on the COVID-19 shots. Meanwhile, other health experts argue that further testing is unnecessary due to the comprehensive evaluations already conducted before the vaccines’ distribution and their subsequent performance.

“In summary, it’s both statistically and practically inaccurate to claim ‘100% of those who want a Covid vaccine can access one.’ This kind of repeated assertion showcases a lack of understanding and empathy,” Adams concluded.