The California Division of Public Well being studies a summer time surge of COVID-19 an infection within the state.
Week over week ends in late June present emergency room visits in California rose by round 23% from the week earlier than, with a test positivity rate rising to eight%, the very best for this time of 12 months since summer time 2022. Death rates have additionally gone up 14% from earlier weeks.
For the reason that begin of the pandemic, 107,973 Californians have died of COVID-19. From October 2023 to June, 3,654 folks have died from COVID.
Nevertheless, Dr. John Swartzberg, a medical professor emeritus on the UC Berkeley Faculty of Public Well being, told the Mercury News that this 12 months’s summer time surge is up to now decrease than the uptick of 2023 COVID-19 infections in California.
“It’s nothing approaching the winter; it’s not at the same time as excessive because it was a 12 months in the past,” he stated.
One other good information level? Deaths reached report lows in California this spring, together with the first day in over four years with no COVID deaths in the state, in response to reporting by KFF Well being Information.
Are COVID-19 charges rising throughout the nation this summer time?
As instances of COVID-19 are on the rise with a brand new variant of the illness rising this summer time throughout the nation, the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) is recommending updated vaccines forward of the autumn and winter virus season.
“Make a plan now for you and your loved ones to get each up to date flu and COVID vaccines this fall, forward of the respiratory virus season,” CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen stated in an announcement Thursday.
The CDC is monitoring the expansion of a number of variants of COVID-19, together with the KP.3 frontrunner and the rising LB.1, the latest variant circulating within the U.S. There was a 1.4% enhance in check positivity as of June 22, in response to information collected by the company.
Here is what to find out about COVID-19 in California and the U.S., and the CDC’s newest vaccine steering.
COVID-19 instances rising this summer time:Insight into the uptick
Do you have to get the up to date COVID-19 vaccine?
The CDC recommends for everyone ages 6 months and older, with some exceptions, obtain an up to date 2024-25 COVID-19 vaccine to guard towards the illness, regardless whether or not or not you’ve gotten beforehand been vaccinated towards the virus.
Do you have to get the up to date flu vaccine?
The company additionally recommends the up to date 2024-205 flu vaccines.
Most individuals solely want one dose of flu vaccine every season, and September and October stay the very best instances for most individuals to be vaccinated.
Are you able to get the COVID and flu vaccine on the similar time?
The CDC says it’s secure to obtain both the COVID-19 and the flu vaccines on the similar go to.
What are the present COVID variants?
For a two-week interval beginning on June 9 and ending on June 22, the CDC’s Nowcast data tracker confirmed the projections of COVID-19 variants, with the KP.3 variant accounting for 33.1% of constructive infections, the KP.2 variant at 20.8% and the brand new variant LB.1 at 17.5% of infections.
The JN.1 variant accounted for just one.6% of constructive infections, in response to the information.
What’s the LB.1 variant?
The LB.1 variant is the latest COVID-19 variant that’s circulating in the US.
With the knowledge that the CDC has out there proper now, there’s no indication that the LB.1 variant poses a critical threat.
“There may be presently no proof that LB.1 causes extra extreme illness,” CDC Spokesperson, Dave Daigle, beforehand informed USA TODAY.
What are the present signs of COVID-19?
There are a wide range of symptoms that might level to a COVID-19 an infection, and will seem 2-14 days after publicity to the virus. Signs can embody:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or problem respiratory
- Fatigue
- Muscle or physique aches
- Headache
- New lack of style or odor
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nostril
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
The CDC stated it’s best to search medical consideration when you’ve got the next signs:
- Hassle respiratory
- Persistent ache or strain within the chest
- New confusion
- Incapability to wake or keep awake
- Pale, grey or blue-colored pores and skin, lips, or nail beds
How do COVID and flu signs evaluate?
The flu and COVID-19 share a few of the similar indicators, however flu symptoms will come on abruptly, the CDC says. Individuals who have the flu typically really feel some or all the following signs:
- Fever or feeling feverish/chills
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nostril
- Muscle or physique aches
- Complications
- Fatigue
Some folks could have vomiting or diarrhea, though the CDC says that is extra frequent in youngsters than in adults.
What’s the CDC’s advisable isolation interval for COVID-19?
The CDC’s up to date respiratory virus steering recommends that individuals keep house and away from others till at least 24 hours after there is no such thing as a fever and their signs are getting higher general. It is a change from the earlier steering, which advisable a minimal isolation interval of 5 days for COVID-19.
As a substitute, the CDC urges an added precaution over the following 5 days and utilizing prevention methods, together with:
- Taking steps for cleaner air
- Enhancing hygiene practices
- Carrying a well-fitting masks
- Protecting distance from others
- Getting examined for respiratory viruses
Contributing: James Ward, Palm Springs Desert Solar
