California is one of 12 states seeing higher positivity rates for COVID-19 tests compared to the rest of the country, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Why it matters: Positivity rates are increasing as the "stratus" COVID variant surges throughout the country.
The positivity rate in California is 11.3%, on par with other West Coast states and higher than the rest of the country, where rates range from 5% to 10%.
Zoom in: In California, wastewater analysis is showing a "high" level of COVID-19 viral activity.
Yes, but: Testing in San Francisco and nearby San Mateo counties show "moderate" activity.
The bottom line: The XFG "stratus" variant might be more likely to evade immune defenses, the World Health Organization said.
Current COVID-19 vaccines "are expected to remain effective to this variant against symptomatic and severe disease," the WHO said in its June report.
