😷 COVID Levels Surge Again in California — Health Officials Urge Masks as Public Pushback Grows

Los Angeles, CA — COVID-19 cases are once again climbing across California, prompting renewed warnings from health officials and reigniting public debate over masking and personal responsibility.

Driven by the fast-spreading XFG “Stratus” variant, the state’s test positivity rate has surged to over 11%, with wastewater data showing “high” viral concentrations in major regions including Los Angeles, the Bay Area, and Sacramento2. Hospital admissions are rising, particularly among seniors and children, as schools reopen and large gatherings resume3.

In response, county health departments are urging residents—especially those who are elderly, immunocompromised, or unvaccinated—to wear masks indoors and in crowded public spaces. Officials also recommend isolating when symptomatic and consulting providers about antiviral treatments like Paxlovid2.

But not everyone is on board.

Across California, many community members are expressing frustration and fatigue over the renewed guidance. Social media platforms and local forums are filled with comments ranging from skepticism to outright resistance. Some residents say they’re “done with masks,” while others argue that the messaging is inconsistent and confusing.

“There’s a lot of COVID out there,” said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, infectious disease expert at UC San Francisco. “But we’re also seeing a lot of pandemic fatigue. People aren’t responding the way they did in 2020 or even 2022”.

📉 Despite the rise in cases, officials note that hospitalization and death rates remain lower than in previous waves, thanks in part to widespread vaccination. Still, the California Department of Public Health warns that the current surge could intensify as fall approaches.

Dr. Elizabeth Hudson of Kaiser Permanente Southern California added, “We haven’t reached the top of this wave yet. Wastewater levels are still climbing, and we’re seeing more outpatient cases every day”.

As the state braces for a potentially volatile flu and COVID season, officials are urging calm—but also caution. Whether the public will heed the call remains to be seen.