NewsCalifornia News

Actions

California narrows testing priority as virus cases surge

Virus Outbreak California
Posted
and last updated

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California has overhauled its guidelines for who can be tested for the coronavirus.

Guidelines released Tuesday prioritize people who are in the hospital with symptoms, those in close contact with infected people and when necessary to control outbreaks.

That's a narrower focus than the state had previously when some cities were allowing anyone, even those without symptoms, to get tests.

Dr. Mark Ghaly, the state's top health official, says the state needs to focus on controlling outbreaks while it works to increase testing capacity.

California's transmission rates and hospitalizations have been steadily rising.

Sign up for our Morning E-mail Newsletter to receive the latest headlines in your inbox.

,

Weather

Daily Forecast

View Hourly Forecast

Day

Conditions

HI / LO

Precip

Sunday

10/26/2025

Mostly Sunny

75° / 55°

4%

Monday

10/27/2025

Partly Cloudy

70° / 50°

12%

Tuesday

10/28/2025

Sunny

80° / 53°

7%

Wednesday

10/29/2025

Sunny

80° / 54°

1%

Thursday

10/30/2025

Mostly Sunny

82° / 55°

0%

Friday

10/31/2025

Sunny

79° / 55°

1%

Saturday

11/01/2025

Sunny

80° / 57°

0%

Sunday

11/02/2025

Sunny

80° / 58°

0%