Summer COVID Surge: What's Happening and How to Stay Safe

COVID-19 might not be as scary as it once was, but it's still around and causing trouble, especially during the summer. This year, a new subvariant named XFG, also called "Stratus," is making its way through California, causing a rise in cases. Experts say this isn't surprising because COVID tends to spike twice a year, once in the late fall or early winter and again in the summer.

Why Summer?

So, why does COVID seem to love summer? There are a few reasons:

• Travel and Gatherings: People travel more and attend social events.
• Indoor Spaces: To escape the heat, people spend time in air-conditioned spaces with poor ventilation.
• Waning Immunity: Immunity from vaccines and past infections can wear off over time.
• Virus Mutations: The virus keeps mutating, finding new ways to evade our defenses.

The Numbers

The numbers tell a story too. In California:

• The rate of positive COVID tests has been climbing. It was 11.59% for the week ending August 16, up from 5.69% just a few weeks earlier.
• COVID is sending more people to the emergency room, especially kids and seniors.

The Impact

Even though COVID isn't the emergency it once was, it can still make people seriously ill:

• The CDC estimates that at least 38,000 people have died from COVID this season, which is more than the estimated 27,000 flu deaths.
• Long COVID is a real issue, affecting millions of adults and children.

Vaccination Rates

Vaccination rates are low:

• Only 14.7% of California's population has gotten the updated COVID vaccine.
• Rates are higher among seniors but still worryingly low among younger age groups.

Experts recommend that everyone, especially those at higher risk, get vaccinated. However, the new vaccine's rollout has been delayed, and it's unclear when it will be available.

Looking Ahead

Officials say this summer's COVID surge is less severe than last year's. But that doesn't mean we should let our guard down. There are simple steps we can take to protect ourselves:

• Get Vaccinated
• Wear a Well-Fitting Mask in public places
• Improve Indoor Air Quality