COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses increase in California
California health officials are reporting a late-summer surge in respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, strep throat, and common colds. Experts recommend testing for those at high risk and emphasize that vaccines are available for the upcoming season.
Why it matters
Rising infection rates in a major population center serve as a public health indicator for the broader seasonal transition in the United States.
As fall approaches, respiratory illnesses are beginning to rise in California, with health officials noting increases in strep throat, common colds, and COVID-19 cases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that strep throat infections are increasing as children return to school. Common cold viruses are also on the rise, and while flu and RSV activity remain low nationwide, they are expected to increase in the coming weeks. California is also seeing a significant rise in COVID-19 cases. "It's a late-summer surge, later than last year, but this is the highest number of COVID cases that we've seen since last summer's surge, so the activity level right now is very high," said Dr. Dean Blumberg of UC Davis Health Pediatric Infectious Diseases. Blumberg said that in California the highest surges for the past two years have been in the summer, and he wasn't quite sure why.
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