COVID-19 is showing 'stirrings of a summer surge' in California

Key Points:

• Municipal wastewater data from WastewaterSCAN indicates rising COVID-19 transmission in the Bay Area, with high rates in San Francisco, Palo Alto, and San Jose, and moderate levels in Novato, Napa, Sunnyvale, and Fremont.
• Dr. Matt Willis notes the beginning of a potential summer surge, emphasizing that significant COVID activity during summer months has been consistent since the pandemic began, though the Bay Area is not yet experiencing a full surge.
• COVID levels in the Bay Area remain lower than last year, but immunity may be waning due to the prolonged low transmission period since last fall, increasing susceptibility to infection.
• The dominant variant, XFG.1.1 ("stratus"), shows no significant differences in infectivity or symptoms compared to previous strains, and vaccination is recommended for those at risk who have delayed getting boosted.
• Nationwide, COVID levels vary, with moderate presence in the Northeast and high levels in the South, and experts suggest masks may eventually be recommended indoors again in California.