"Rising Respiratory Illness Cases in California: Urgent Testing and Prevention Needed"

Wastewater levels in the Bay Area indicate the second-largest COVID surge of the pandemic, with infections at record highs but lower levels of deaths and hospitalizations compared to previous surges. Despite this, experts emphasize the importance of remaining vigilant, getting updated COVID vaccines, and testing more frequently due to the high infection baseline. The post-holiday surge is attributed to gatherings and travel, and the new JN.1 variant is now responsible for the majority of infections.