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LOS ANGELES () — California is experiencing a summer increase in COVID-19 activity, with health officials reporting rising test positivity rates, emergency room visits and other indicators that suggest the virus is spreading more widely than it was a month ago.
For the week ending July 18, 3.4% of COVID-19 tests in California were positive, according to health officials. That is up from just over 1% a month earlier.
Public health experts say seasonal increases in COVID-19 cases during the summer have become a familiar pattern.
“We have for the past few summers seen COVID peak in the late summer. We test a set number of specimens every week to get a sense of what’s trending in the community,” said Dr. Sharon Balter with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
Across the country, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data shows COVID-19 activity is growing in many states, including California, Texas, Florida, Missouri and Utah.
The CDC’s assessment is based on the number of emergency room visits related to COVID. Despite the increase, overall case levels remain low.
Health officials are also monitoring wastewater data and hospital admissions for signs of changing transmission patterns.
“We are seeing a small increase in the wastewater. We’re also seeing a small increase in hospital admissions,” Balter said.
In California, the COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months and older.
“One COVID vaccine is certainly enough for most people. But certain people, those who are over 65, those who are immune-compromised, pregnant women or people planning to become pregnant and very young children, it’s recommended that they get two COVID vaccines,” Balter said.
Changes in federal vaccine policy recommendations have created confusion for some Americans, particularly parents.
“We are still recommending COVID vaccines for kids. I always tell people I am a mom and my kid gets a vaccine every year,” Balter said.
A KFF poll found that four in 10 adults plan to get a COVID-19 vaccine this year. However, many respondents expressed concern about vaccine availability and whether insurance would cover the cost.
Major pharmacy retailers, including CVS, say the COVID-19 vaccine is currently available without a prescription and at no cost through most insurance plans, including Medicare Part B.
Balter said she hopes any summer increase in COVID-19 activity remains less severe than those seen in previous years but emphasized that the disease can still lead to serious illness.
“Some people will still get very ill so for an individual person, it’s good to consider your risk and it’s good to get vaccinated,” she said.
Balter said now is an appropriate time for people to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Booster shots will still be available in October. Pharmacies are also expecting a new vaccine formulation to become available next month, similar to annual updates made to flu vaccines.
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