California’s covid comeback: what students need to know about the latest surge

By: Mariam Mkrtchian, Staff Writer

(Illustration by Alejandro Rafael for the Valley Star)

Although masks have mostly disappeared on campus, health officials say covid cases are on the rise in California.

Data from the CDC shows that the amount of covid positive tests in California has doubled between July and September, with students caught in the middle of an unexpected surge. Some students remain uninformed about the surge, while others continue to take precautions.

As of September 2025, covid case numbers in California have increased throughout the summer months, with 6.72% of covid cases testing positive. The CDC reports high activity levels of a new variant of the virus, which is being tied to the summer surge. 

However, the fact that there was an increase in covid-19 positive cases does not mean students should be alarmed. The hospitalization rate is lower than last summer because of the effectiveness of the vaccine. 

On campus, the rise in cases has been met with mixed awareness. Angela Panameno, a 23-year-old student at Valley, admitted, “Honestly, I haven’t been as concerned because I thought it was over with,” despite having noticed more people getting sick.

Unaware of the rise in covid rates in California this summer, she describes how she experienced symptoms herself, but didn’t test for covid, assuming it might have been a cold. This highlights the gap between actual data and public awareness among younger college students.

On the other hand, the shift in numbers has also caught the attention of students who continue to live with the impact of the pandemic. Jessica Collins, a mother and student at Valley, says she remains alert.

“I am always a little in the back of my brain worried about it coming back,” she said. “It’s funny because one of my best friends got it, and it was her first time getting covid a few months ago.” 

Collins continues to take precautions, wearing a mask in the airport and on planes, ensuring she always carries a mask with her in case of finding herself in unexpected crowds. She emphasizes how the pandemic has instilled a more mindful mindset of hygiene and cleanliness, especially with a nine-year-old daughter at home.

The California Department of Public Health has just released its own vaccine recommendations. Gov. Gavin Newsom, along with other health officials, have released vaccine recommendations for covid-19. Signed in September, Assembly Bill 144 ensures that insurance plans cover recommended immunizations, meaning that covid-19 vaccines are covered at no cost.

Other ways to protect yourself, recommended by the CDC, include taking a covid test when feeling symptoms, practicing good hygiene, and distancing yourself from large crowds.