COVID-19 antigen home tests indicating a positive result are photographed 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 latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Golden State was one of seven states rated “very high”; the others were Arkansas, Florida, Maryland, Nevada, Oregon and Texas.
In Los Angeles County, the nation’s largest county, coronavirus levels in wastewater have also increased.
For the 10-day period ending June 29, the most recent data available from the county health department, COVID levels in the county were 27% of last winter’s peak. That’s a significant increase from a data set ending June 26, when the county was 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 increased nationwide, suggesting the summer trend is continuing.
Two new COVID variants, known as FLiRT, are responsible for more than half of the latest surge in cases. Experts have found that the latest variants are highly contagious but do not cause more severe illness.
Here’s an overview of what you can do to protect yourself
Vaccines
Doctors continue to advise people to get vaccinated, especially if they belong to a higher risk group.
In California, only 36% of seniors 65 and older have received the new vaccine, which first became available in September.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has urged everyone 6 months and older to get one dose of the updated vaccine. A second dose is also recommended for people 65 and older, as long as it has been at least four months since their last shot, the LA Times reported.
To test
According to Scott Roberts, an infectious disease specialist at Yale Medicine, COVID tests should be able to detect the FLiRT strains.
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 can take longer for a rapid COVID-19 test to return a positive result after the onset of illness.
What to do if you get sick
Health officials still advise people who test positive for COVID-19 to wear a mask, avoid contact with people at higher risk of becoming severely infected with COVID-19 and seek medical care if necessary, according to updated guidelines published in January.
From January 9, people who have tested positive for COVID-19 but have mild symptoms and are fever-free without the help of medication may return to school or work after one day of isolation.
More COVID-19 guidelines can be found here.