Bay Area wastewater shows COVID-19 rising again

Key Points:

• COVID-19 levels are rising in the Bay Area this summer, as indicated by wastewater monitoring across multiple sewage treatment plants, showing an upward trend since late June.
• Despite increased virus transmission, hospitalizations and severe illness remain very low in the region, attributed to widespread immunity from vaccination and prior infections, along with less severe recent variants.
• Several omicron descendants, including the XFG variant targeted for the 2026-27 vaccine update, are circulating, but no evidence suggests they cause more severe disease.
• Vulnerable populations—such as adults over 75, pregnant individuals, the immunocompromised, and young children—remain at higher risk and are encouraged to stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations, especially before the expected fall vaccine update.
• Health experts recommend continued vigilance with testing and precautions like masking in crowded or high-risk settings, particularly for those with respiratory symptoms or planning to visit vulnerable individuals.