Summer surge: Wastewater data shows 'high' levels of COVID in California

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- California is experiencing a summer surge in COVID-19 cases.

As some health experts advise greater caution, California has partnered with other states to establish vaccine recommendations after the federal government placed limits on who can get a COVID shot this year.

Doctors say they expected this. It's the time of year when people come back from vacation, kids go back to school and COVID cases increase. This year, however, doctors and others say there is confusion surrounding the availability of the new vaccine.

The number of COVID-19 cases is going up across the state and the country. Doctors say cases have been rising since July. In Los Angeles County, about 15% of people tested end up being positive.

California has "high" levels of coronavirus in wastewater, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

"What we know about the variant that's spreading now is, because we haven't seen this variant, it's more easily transmitted, and that's why we see a spike in cases," said Dr. Barbara Ferrer with the L.A. County Department of Public Health.

Ferrer says despite higher numbers, there is no need to panic.

"The good news is that our death rate that our death rate continues to be super low, and that our hospitalization rate is much lower than it was even last summer," Ferrer said. "This is thanks to effectiveness of vaccines, and the fact that almost everyone in L.A. County has been vaccinated at least once."

That raises the question -- should you get the new vaccine, and are you eligible?

The CDC rescinded emergency-use authorizations for COVID vaccines last week. The FDA approved the boosters for high-risk patients.

"I think there has been a lot of confusion in the community, particularly coming out of the last four years, where there were very strict guidelines and very focused guidance that was being given. Now it's kind of up in the air," said Dr. Anthony Cardillo with MEND Urgent Care.

At a hearing on Thursday with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a number of senators expressed concern over the changes.

Kennedy says anyone who wants a vaccine can get it, but California, Oregon and Washington are creating an alliance and their own COVID vaccine guidelines.

"Alliances in medicine are always good. As long as information's being shared, and we have a larger population to evaluate, and we have more data to look at," Cardillo said.

Officials say they want to make sure the vaccine is available for people over 65 and those with underlying health conditions.

"We have to make sure that this fall it's easily accessible, particularly for those folks who are going to remain at highest risk of severe illness," Ferrer said.

Doctors expect COVID and flu cases will rise for the next few months, especially as families gather for the holidays.