The state of California is experiencing a late summer COVID-19 wave with public health officials reporting a continued rise in new cases across the state.

Positive test results for COVID-19 more than doubled in late August compared to the comparative week in July, hitting 12.07% statewide by August 23.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that infections are growing or likely to grow in 30 US states, including California, partly due to the rise in socializing and the return to school phase.

Some country health officials were seen recommending a return to indoor masking due to the rise in cases. Despite the huge surge, hospitalization rates remain low in the state.

The CDC estimates that COVID-19 infections are either growing or likely growing in 30 states, including California. 21 states have either very high or high viral levels in wastewater. Of all regions of the US, the West has the greatest levels of coronavirus in wastewater or sewage, followed by the South.

 

Dr. Elizabeth Hudson, who is the regional head of infectious diseases at Kaiser Permanente Southern California, shared how she received so many calls related to outpatient cases of COVID while on call over the Labor Day weekend.