'Razor Blade' COVID-19 Variant Stratus Drives Up Cases In California

COVID-19 activity is steadily increasing throughout California, but emergency room visits and admissions among infected people remain low, according to state and federal officials.

The Golden State is not alone in seeing a rise in COVID-19 cases. Health officials say the COVID-19 XFG variant — dubbed the stratus "razor blade" sore throat variant — is driving up COVID-19 cases in much of the country.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said COVID-19 cases are "growing" or "likely growing" in 34 states.

In California, where the population is nearly 40 million, cases are "growing." The "probability" of a COVID-19 epidemic trend growing in the state is 99.52%, according to the most recent CDC data published Aug. 12.

COVID-19 viral activity from wastewater surveillance data collected from 73 participating water utilities in California is "high," according to the CDC.

Still, the percentage of emergency room visits by infected COVID-19 patients in the state is low. It sits at 1.33%, according to the CDC data.

The California Department of Public Health reports that for the period July 8 through Aug. 9, the number of COVID-19 hospital admissions was 2.6 patients per 100,000. The CDPH defines the level as "very low."

Symptoms of the XFG variant are common to other COVID-19 variants, and include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, sore throat, congestion and runny nose, loss of taste or smell, fatigue, muscle and body aches, headache, nausea and vomiting, and diarrhea.

The World Health Organization said the variant is only marginally better at evading people’s immune systems, and vaccines still work against it.

Although vaccine guidance is changing at the federal level, the CDC website still states that the COVID-19 vaccine helps protect against “severe illness, hospitalization and death.”

The CDPH continues to recommend COVID-19 vaccines for everyone 6 months and older to protect against severe illness, with an emphasis on protecting higher-risk individuals, such as infants and toddlers, pregnant persons, older adults, and others at risk for serious disease.

If you are 65 years or older, or if you have a weakened immune system, the CDPH recommends asking your healthcare provider about a second dose of the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine.

The state agency also advises that people take precautions to avoid spreading the virus:

• Practice good hand hygiene. Wash your hands frequently and cover your coughs and sneezes.
• Consider wearing a mask to protect yourself and others.
• Stay home if you are sick to reduce disease transmission.

Related:

• ‘Perfect Storm’ For Infectious Diseases Brews As Kids Head Back To School
• What To Know About ‘Razor Blade’ COVID Variant Stratus
• Do I Need A Measles Booster: What Vaccinated Adults Need To Know