California is experiencing a new uptick in COVID-19 infections, largely attributed to an Omicron subvariant dubbed “Stratus” or “XFG.” Health officials report a 6.3% increase in cases since last month, with Los Angeles and San Jose emerging as the most affected regions. Hospitalization rates have also doubled since early July—from 1.6 to 3 per 100,000 people overall, and from 6.3 to 11 per 100,000 among those aged 65 and above.
Public health expert Matt Willis, a former county health officer, noted that California’s infection rate is now among the highest in the country, placing the state squarely in the midst of another COVID-19 wave.
The rise in infections coincides with policy uncertainty at the federal level. Reports suggest that the Trump-aligned administration is considering withdrawing existing COVID vaccines from the market, while federal health agencies have delayed authorization of updated formulations. Current guidance indicates that the next round of vaccines may only be approved for high-risk groups, leaving the broader population without easy access once older versions are phased out. As a result, public health officials are urging people to get vaccinated while doses remain available.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health confirmed that vaccine rollout has been slowed by “federal policy changes,” adding that local agencies are waiting on FDA approval of this season’s formulations. Meanwhile, the CDC estimates that roughly 130 Americans continue to die each week from the virus, a reminder that COVID-19 remains a serious public health concern even if national attention has waned.
The Stratus strain itself was first detected in Southeast Asia in January, arriving in the U.S. by March. By late June, it accounted for nearly 14% of new cases. The World Health Organization has classified Stratus as a hybrid of two Omicron sublineages (LF.7 and LP.8.1.2), but assessed its overall threat level as low. Despite this, doctors caution that its rapid spread could drive further spikes in cases in the weeks ahead.
