COVID-19 cases rise modestly in California and several western states as summer approaches
Public health officials report increasing test positivity and wastewater signals of COVID-19 in California and other western states, while hospitalizations remain low.
COVID-19 activity is climbing in California and a group of western and southern states, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which noted a rise in the share of emergency-room visits linked to the virus. State health data show test positivity in California at 3.4% for the week ending July 18, up from 1.15% a month earlier, and similar upward trends in Los Angeles County (4.28% week ending July 11) and Orange County (3% week ending July 11). Wastewater testing also indicates higher viral concentrations in several Bay Area cities.
"COVID-19 activity has been gradually increasing across California based on test positivity trends. Wastewater concentrations are also increasing," said Grant Boyken, spokesperson for the California Department of Public Health.
Health experts say a summer uptick is expected after a period of low transmission. Dr. Peter Chin-Hong of the University of California, San Francisco, warned that many people have not been infected recently and could become susceptible again. Kaiser Permanente’s regional infectious-diseases chief, Dr. Elizabeth Hudson, observed a modest rise in outpatient cases over the past two weeks.
Hospitalization rates remain "very low" statewide, but officials anticipate possible increases in the coming weeks. State health agencies continue to urge vaccination for all individuals aged six months and older, emphasizing booster doses for higher-risk groups such as seniors, the immunocompromised, pregnant people and young children.
"If you’re over age 65 or are younger but at a higher risk for complications — e.g., you have diabetes, heart disease, obesity, asthma or have a weakened immune system for other reasons like cancer — you can get a COVID-19 booster now," Hudson added.
The World Health Organization reported stable global COVID activity in late June, though some regions, including parts of Latin America and Asia, showed increases. In the United States, COVID-related deaths have declined sharply since the pandemic’s peak, falling to 20,685 in 2025, according to CDC data.