Early signs California’s COVID surge is peaking: ‘It’s not gone away. It’s just lower’
LA TimesDr. Gaurav Shinde gives Giti Noroozi, 85, her vaccinations for COVID and flu at the Walgreens pharmacy in Torrance on Thursday. But for the week ending Aug. 31, the most recent data available, California’s coronavirus sewage levels fell back to “high,” according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “We’re seeing, I would say, somewhat of a cresting of cases,” said Dr. Elizabeth Hudson, regional chief of infectious diseases for Kaiser Permanente Southern California. In a statement, the L.A. County Department of Public Health said it “will continue to monitor COVID-19 data in the coming weeks to better understand if we have truly passed this summer’s peak.” Even with COVID potentially on the downswing for now, doctors are urging people to get their COVID and flu vaccinations for the fall, when both viruses typically begin to pick up steam. “Getting your flu vaccine now ensures your protection for the entire flu season.” The CDC recommends that everyone age 6 months or older get this season’s updated COVID and flu vaccinations.