Coronavirus

Health

California’s ‘tripledemic’ season is off to a mild start. What to know about flu, RSV and COVID

New vaccines for RSV and an updated booster for COVID-19 give Californians more tools to protect themselves from respiratory viruses this fall.

By Shreya Agrawal • November 6, 2023

Mindy Lym has been living with long COVID since the summer of 2022. After months of bed rest, she's now living in Camas, Washington, where her symptoms are improving but are still a day to day challenge. Photo by Celeste Noche for CalMatters

Health

Long COVID in California: ‘A pandemic of loneliness and social isolation and rejection’

As many resume their pre-pandemic lives, those with long COVID struggle with debilitating symptoms. In California, there are no legislative proposals to help despite long wait times for care and expensive treatments.

By Kristen Hwang • April 27, 2023

Beth Kenny at Crab Cove in Alameda, Calif., on Friday on Apr. 8th, 2023. Photo by Felix Uribe for CalMatters

Coronavirus

The California mask mandate is gone. Now some patients fear for their health.

The state ended masking and vaccination requirements, including in high-risk settings such as health care facilities. Some patients with chronic illnesses say they may avoid treatment rather than risk contracting COVID-19.

By Kristen Hwang • April 11, 2023

Eddie Daniels administers rapid COVID-19 tests at Greater St. Paul Church in downtown Oakland on Jan. 4, 2022. Martin do Nascimento, CalMatters

Coronavirus

COVID disparities grow as California ends state of emergency

As public health funding winds down, gaps in vaccination rates are increasing. Particularly for booster doses, the gap among racial and ethnic groups is widening significantly.

By Kristen Hwang • February 28, 2023

A staff member of Total Testing Solutions Covid-19 testing site in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles checks in a patient that had been waiting over two hours in a long queue of cars for a COVID-19 test on Jan. 5, 2022. Raquel Natalicchio for CalMatters

Coronavirus

State COVID testing sites begin to close

As the state prepares to end the state of emergency, those sites with less demand will close first.

By Kristen Hwang • January 19, 2023

A box of the COVID-19 treatment pill Paxlovid on Feb. 8, 2022. Photo by Jennifer Lorenzini, Reuters

Health

The supply of COVID antivirals is increasing, but many patients aren’t using them

Health officials say a key difference between this upcoming winter and the last two is the wider availability of COVID antivirals like Paxlovid. But many infected people aren’t aware of their availability or have difficulty accessing them.

By Ana B. Ibarra • December 5, 2022

A commuter sits in a Los Angeles Metro train in Los Angeles on July 13, 2022. Photo by Jae C. Hong, AP

Health

California to end the COVID state of emergency

The state of emergency gave Newsom wide-ranging powers to issue mandates and enter into billions of dollars of emergency response contracts.

By Kristen Hwang and Ana B. Ibarra • October 17, 2022

Martin (left) and Miranda Basulto pose for a photo in front of their home in Coalinga on June 28, 2022. Miranda is eligible for a state bond given to kids who lost a caregiver (or both) because of COVID. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

California Divide

Some COVID orphans in California will get financial help

In California, 32,000 children under 18 have experienced the death of a parent or primary caregiver from COVID-19. The state has set aside $100 million for trust funds for children who are in low-income families to access when they turn 18 for school, housing or other expenses.

By Elizabeth Aguilera • July 22, 2022

Amaya Palestino, 6, receives a COVID-19 vaccine at one of St. John’s Well Child and Family Center mobile health clinics in Los Angeles on March 16, 2022. California is backing away from COVID vaccine mandates for kids. Photo by Alisha Jucevic for CalMatters

Coronavirus

California backs away from COVID vaccine mandates for kids

The state decides it won't require COVID vaccines for children this fall, and a bill to mandate kids vaccines without personal belief exemptions stalls out.

By Elizabeth Aguilera • April 15, 2022

Coronavirus

‘An enormous disabling event’: Long COVID could have inequitable impact on Californians

Latino, Black and low-income people with inadequate health care could suffer the most. California doesn't have many long COVID specialists, and disadvantaged communities are underserved.

By Ana B. Ibarra • March 24, 2022

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