California COVID-19 Cases Surge Over 12% in Key Counties Driven by Stratus Variant

Los Angeles and Orange counties are experiencing a significant increase in coronavirus cases, contributing to a rapid rise across California. Public health officials attribute this latest surge to a new Omicron subvariant, identified as Stratus (XFG), which has become increasingly prevalent. The situation, while concerning due to rising infection numbers, shows a different pattern in terms of disease severity compared to previous waves.

Public health data indicates a roughly 12.5% rise in cases in Los Angeles County and a 14.5% increase in Orange County in recent weeks. Test positivity rates have also climbed, reaching 12.6% in Los Angeles County and 14.4% in Orange County by mid-August. Wastewater surveillance across the state further confirms elevated virus levels, signaling widespread community transmission of the Stratus variant.

The Stratus variant, first detected in Southeast Asia in January, is a hybrid of two existing Omicron strains, LF.7 and LP.8.1.2. While the World Health Organization has evaluated its additional public health risk as "low" globally, its high transmissibility is evident in the current case increases. Symptoms are largely consistent with other Omicron subvariants, though some patients have anecdotally reported a more severe sore throat.

Despite the rapid increase in infections, hospitalizations for COVID-19 in California are notably lower, approximately half of what they were a year ago. This suggests that the Stratus variant may be less severe than previous strains, or that population immunity from prior infections and vaccinations is mitigating serious illness. Health experts note that the back-to-school season is also a contributing factor to the current uptick in cases.

The timing of this surge coincides with delays in the rollout of updated COVID-19 vaccines for the fall season, influenced by federal policy changes. This has led to differing guidance from various medical organizations compared to federal recommendations, creating uncertainty regarding vaccine availability and eligibility. Public health officials continue to advise precautions such as hand hygiene, masking in crowded indoor settings, and staying current with vaccinations to curb further spread.