SACRAMENTO, CA — Health officials are warning the COVID-19 virus is surging across California amid California's blistering summer heatwave.
As of Aug. 1, 5.7 percent of COVID-19 tests in California were positive, a five-fold increase from 1 percent reported last month, according to the California Department of Public Health. Over the last month, there have been 4,799 confirmed cases in California, and about 960 people sick enough to be hospitalized. According to the state health department, 15 people died from COVID-19 since July 11.
The CDC also noted a national increase in its analysis and reports on COVID-19 cases, which includes emergency room visits.
"We're kind of due for more people getting sick," Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, a UC San Francisco infectious diseases expert, told The Los Angeles Times. "Hopefully, that won't happen. But I think that's what we're worried about,"
Since the pandemic in 2020, seasonal spikes in COVID-19 cases during the summer have become a trend in California, and other states are currently experiencing an uptick in cases, including Florida, Missouri, Texas, and Utah. As of July 22, California also has a 97 percent probability of an epidemic, per CDC data.
At the same time, COVID is becoming less deadly as the population's immunity from past exposure and vaccines continues to build and as treatment improves. COVID-19 was the third leading cause of death in the U.S. in its first two years in the United Staes, dropping to the 15th leading cause of death by 2024, The Los Angeles Times reported.
Sewage treatment centers monitored by WastewaterSCAN also recorded an increase in the virus at several plants this month, including Palo Alto, San Francisco, and San Jose.
Experts say the circulation of dominant new COVID variants, such as "Cicada" (BA.3.2) which has spread across the United States, is challenging because it has an unusually high number of mutations.
First identified in South Africa in 2024, BA.3.2 is part of Omicron lineage. Cicada evolved from an earlier Omicron subvariant, BA.3, which briefly circulated in 2022. The Cicada variant carries approximately 70 to 75 genetic changes in its spike protein, which may be more difficult for the immune system to detect.
Health officials say there is no evidence the Cicada variant causes more severe illness than other strains of COVID. Vaccines are also just as effective for the BA.3.2 variant as other strains of the virus.
COVID-19 cases have historically been the highest during winters, and the virus,like many respiratory illnesses, is often associated with cold weather. However, health experts say new infections in the summer are typical as the virus changes.
The California Department of Public Health recommends everyone ages 6 months and older receive the COVID-19 vaccination.
According to the Mayo Clinic, SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, spreads between people in close contact. The virus commonly spreads through the air in tiny droplets of fluid. People infected with COVID-19 can have moderate aor mild illness, or no symptoms. However, for older adults and people living with compromised immune systems, COVID-19 can lead to serious illness and death.
Symptoms of COVID infection typically appear 2 to 14 days after contact with the virus. Common cold symptoms, including congestion, runny nose and sore throat may occur.
According to the Mayo Clinic, additional COVID-19 symptoms include:
The Mayo Clinic advised adults who may be having trouble breathing, discolored skin, lips or nails, chest pain or confusion to seek emergency help as the symptoms may indicate severe illness.
More California News:
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Across California Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.