COVID-19 infections rise across California as health officials urge vaccinations
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- California health officials are encouraging residents to stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations as infections increase statewide.
According to the California Department of Public Health, Central California is reporting a high COVID-19 test positivity rate of 15.53%. The agency said that figure is about 2 percentage points lower than last summer's peak of 17.7% recorded in late August.
Dr. Rais Vohra, a UCSF professor of clinical pharmacy and emergency medicine and an emergency medicine physician at Community Regional Medical Center, said he has recently treated a COVID-19 patient.
"I did see a COVID case when I worked in the E.R. last week," he said.
The California Department of Public Health said that although test positivity rates are increasing in the Central Valley, officials are not seeing a corresponding increase in severe illness or hospitalizations.
The agency noted that summer and fall increases in COVID-19 activity have occurred annually since 2020, creating an expected seasonal surge. They said, "These increases may be influenced by a multitude of factors, including population immunity shifts, summer travel, time spent indoors during heatwaves, and differences in circulating variants. Back-to-school season can also increase the risk of respiratory virus transmission, including COVID-19, due to more frequent indoor gatherings and close contact among students and staff."
They went on to add a public message:
"CDPH recommends that anyonewhohasn'treceived a doseof 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine orisdue for a 2nddose get vaccinated now as we're seeing increases in infections. Most people are recommended to receive one dose, but some groups such as young children, older adults, and immunocompromised persons may need multiple doses. People 65+ or who are immunocompromised are recommended to receive two available doses 6 months apart."
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) continues to recommend that everyone six months and older should be protected with the COVID-19 vaccine, with populations at increased risk especially recommended for vaccination against COVID-19.
The California Department of Public Health said people can receive flu and COVID-19 vaccines during the same visit.
Within the past week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced approval of four updated COVID-19 vaccines. The updated vaccines are designed to target the currently circulating XFG subvariant, which accounts for an estimated 40% of new cases based on the latest CDC data from July.
In addition to vaccination, health experts recommend other measures to help prevent the spread of illness, including wearing a quality mask, staying home when sick, covering coughs and washing hands.
"Just think about the most fragile members of our community and our families, and let's try to protect them just by, you know, staying home. If you're sick, cover your cough, wash your hands and get your shots so that you can stay safe as well."
The state also offers an online resource, My Turn, to help residents locate vaccination sites near them.
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