New COVID surge emerges as Bay Area students head back to school

CONCORD, Calif. (KGO) -- As many children around the Bay Area head back to school, health officials are warning about a new COVID surge in Northern California.

COVID numbers may be a bit worse than they were this past winter, but better than they were in August 2024.

MORE: COVID-19 cases on the rise in Bay Area; highest levels since winter, health officials say

"If we look at the wastewater data here in the Bay Area, here in California, those numbers are going up. They're at the moderate level now and they're approaching high moderate levels, so clearly there's a lot of virus circulating and when kids go back to school, this is a perfect way for the virus to find another host and spread. So that's where the concern is," said Dr. John Swartzberg.

Students are still required to be vaccinated for the usual slate of childhood illnesses in California public schools, but a COVID vaccine or booster is optional.

"Here in Mt. Diablo, we've re-done a lot of our HVAC systems so that we have cleaner air circulating in our classrooms. We still have hand sanitizing stations," said Mt. Diablo Unified School District Superintendent Adam Clark.

Students return to the classroom on Wednesday, and Mt. Diablo, like many other districts, is also welcoming 4-year-olds in transitional kindergarten.

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"We're super excited. We have approximately 30,000 students starting 55 schools and we cover seven different cities," said Clark.

Meanwhile, many public health officials still recommend a COVID booster shot for school-aged children.

"A booster can add protection for a child. It's a parent's decision to do that in consultation with their pediatrician," said Dr. Swartzberg.

He says a tweaked update COVID vaccine attuned to the latest variant should be available sometime in September.