LOS ANGELES (KABC) — 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Public health experts say seasonal increases in COVID-19 cases during the summer have become a familiar pattern.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The CDC’s assessment is based on the number of emergency room visits related to COVID. Despite the increase, overall case levels remain low.<\/p>\n
Health officials are also monitoring wastewater data and hospital admissions for signs of changing transmission patterns.<\/p>\n
“We are seeing a small increase in the wastewater. We’re also seeing a small increase in hospital admissions,” Balter said.<\/p>\n
In California, the COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months and older.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
Changes in federal vaccine policy recommendations have created confusion for some Americans, particularly parents.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n