COVID-19 cases are ticking up again across California, and while Fresno County hasn’t released recent wastewater data, nearby counties like Merced and Stanislaus are showing “very high” levels of the virus in their sewage — a sign the newest variant may be spreading closer to Fresno.
The latest strain, NB.1.8.1, has been spreading statewide since May and is expected to become the fastest-growing variant, according to the California Department of Public Health.
Wastewater testing, which tracks traces of the virus flushed into sewers, often shows increases before people test positive or are hospitalized. That means Fresno could soon see the same surge hitting neighboring counties…