Covid-19 infections rising in California as Delta variant gains ground

• Hospitalizations have increased 34% since mid-June
• Governor calls on residents: Get vaccinated'

Covid-19 infections in California are on the rise, as public health officials in the US west warn that the more transmissible Delta variant of the coronavirus is fast gaining ground.

For the week-long period ending Tuesday, California saw an average of approximately 1,143 new Covid-19 cases a day, up 30% from mid-June. The increase started shortly after California's reopening on 15 June, the Los Angeles Times reports.