Highly-mutated COVID strain spiking in California - here’s where clusters have formed

Key Points:

• A new highly mutated COVID-19 subvariant called "Cicada" is emerging in California, with clusters detected in San Francisco and Kern County, notable for its ability to evade immunity from past infections and vaccinations.
• Unlike previous patterns, COVID-19 in California has shifted to behave more like a summer virus, with recent years showing higher case peaks during warmer months rather than winter.
• Although the Cicada variant has not been linked to more severe illness, its mutations raise concerns about potential spread, prompting health officials to recommend updated vaccine doses for high-risk groups, especially older adults.
• Vaccination rates among California seniors remain low, with fewer than one-third having received the latest COVID shot, increasing vulnerability amid rising cases and ongoing public confusion fueled by vaccine divisiveness.
• Experts caution that while a dramatic surge is not yet projected, a modest increase in cases could occur later in summer or early fall, emphasizing the continued importance of vaccination to prevent severe illness and long COVID.