Are COVID cases on the rise in Sacramento? See the latest numbers for the region

Weekly updates from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show a potential increase in COVID-19 cases across the country. Meanwhile, California test positivity is slowly trending higher.

Hospital admissions across the country are up about 11.5% week-over-week, as of July 22, and test positivity rates are also up, increasing almost a full percentage point July 15 to July 22, according to the CDC. Hospitalizations in California are holding steady, the latest state data show.

CNN reported that experts are not anticipating cases to be severe or that a surge will be prolonged.

After reading about the national rise in cases, a reader asked The Bee: What is happening in Sacramento city and county?

Are cases on the rise in Sacramento?

The seven-day test positivity rate for Sacramento County is at 7.5%, according to a July 27 update. That’s a 2% increase from the week before, according to California’s COVID dashboard.

The dashboard, which updates weekly on Thursdays, is showing there were 40 total hospital patients with COVID in the county as of July 22, up from 36 the day before but down from 47 on July 16.

What are the community levels?

The CDC outlines prevention measures people can take based on COVID-19 hospital admission levels.

At all levels, people are advised to stay updated with vaccinations, avoid people who may have or have COVID, and isolate if you think or do have COVID.

At medium or high levels, individuals should wear a high quality mask and get tested if they had contact with someone sick. At high levels, people are recommended to mask and avoid indoor public activities if they are at high risk of severe disease.

In Sacramento, Placer, Yolo and El Dorado counties, the hospital admission levels are low, according to the CDC.