‘Very high’ levels of COVID detected in California wastewater, first since last winter

At-home COVID-19 antigen tests indicating a positive result are pictured in New York, April 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Patrick Sison)

Coronavirus levels in California’s wastewater have reached “very high” levels for the first time since last winter, according to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Golden State was one of seven states with “very high” levels; the others were Arkansas, Florida, Maryland, Nevada, Oregon and Texas.

In Los Angeles County, the country’s most populous, coronavirus levels in wastewater have also increased.

For a 10-day period that ended June 29, the most recent data available from the county health department showed COVID levels in the county were at 27% of last winter’s peak. That’s a significant increase from a data set ending June 26, when the county was at just 17%.

The average number of daily cases also increased, from 215 for the week ending June 26 to 307 for the week ending July 7.

Overall, coronavirus levels have been rising nationwide, indicating a summer trend that continues to grow.

Two new COVID-19 variants, known as FLiRT, are responsible for more than half of the recent surge in cases. Experts have found that the latest variants are highly transmissible but do not cause more severe illness.

Here’s a look at what you can do to protect yourself

Vaccines

Doctors continue to urge people to consider updating their vaccines, especially if they are in high-risk groups.

In California, only 36% of people aged 65 and older have received an up-to-date vaccination, which was first available in September.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has urged everyone 6 months and older to get a dose of the updated vaccine. A second dose is also recommended for people 65 and older, as long as at least four months have passed since the last shot, according to the LA Times.

Essay

COVID tests should be able to detect FLiRT strains, according to Scott Roberts, an infectious disease specialist at Yale Medicine.

Experts recommend that people who feel sick get tested daily. People should consider getting a rapid COVID test once a day for three to five consecutive days after experiencing symptoms. It’s important to note that it may take longer for a rapid COVID-19 test to reveal a positive result after illness onset.

What to do if you get sick

Health officials still recommend that people who test positive for COVID-19 wear a mask, avoid contact with people at higher risk of severe COVID-19 illness and, if necessary, seek medical attention, according to updated guidelines released in January.

Starting January 9, people who test positive for COVID-19 but have mild symptoms and no longer have a fever without the help of medication will be able to return to school or work after one day of isolation.

Further guidance regarding COVID-19 can be found here.