(KTLA) — Coronavirus levels in California Wastewater reached a “very high” level for the first time since last winter.
According to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the trend matches what is being reported in several other states.
The Golden State was one of seven states with “very high” levels; the others were Arkansas, Florida, Maryland, Nevada, Oregon and Texas.
In Los Angeles County, the most populous in the country, coronavirus levels in wastewater have also increased.
For a 10-day period ending June 29, the most recent data available from county health department, COVID-19 levels in the county were at 27% of last winter’s peak. That’s a significant increase from a data set ending June 26, when the county was at just 17%.
Average daily cases also increased, from 215 in the week ending June 26 to 307 in the week ending July 7.
Overall, coronavirus levels have increased across the country, indicating a continued upward trend into the summer.
Two new COVID variants known as FLiRT, are responsible for more than half of the latest increase in cases. Experts have found that the newer variants are highly transmissible but do not cause more serious illness.
Here’s a summary of what you can do to stay protected.
Vaccines
Doctors continue to urge people to consider getting updated vaccines, especially if they are in higher risk groups.
In California, just 36% of seniors 65 and older have received an updated vaccination, which was first available in September.
The CDC has urged everyone 6 months and older to receive a dose of the updated vaccine. A second dose is also recommended for those over 65, as long as at least four months have passed since the last dose, according to the LA Times.
Test
COVID tests should be able to detect the FLiRT strains, according to Scott Roberts, an infectious disease expert at Yale Medicine.
Experts recommend that people who are feeling unwell get tested daily. People should consider taking a rapid COVID test once a day for three to five consecutive days after experiencing symptoms. It is important to note that it may take longer for a rapid COVID-19 test to return a positive result after the onset of illness.
What to do if you get sick
Health authorities still recommend that people who test positive for COVID-19 wear a mask, avoid contact with people at higher risk of contracting severe COVID-19 and, if necessary, seek medical treatment, according to updated guidelines released in January .
From January 9th, people who test positive for COVID-19 but have mild symptoms and no fever without the help of medication can return to school or work after a day of isolation.
For more COVID-19 guidelines, visit the CDC website.
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
