California Shifts to New Phase of Covid Fight as Cases Fade (1)

California, the first U.S. state to lock down its economy over the coronavirus, on Thursday became the first to explicitly shift to a new strategy of managing Covid as an ongoing risk -- while preparing for future outbreaks.

Under a plan unveiled by Governor Gavin Newsom, the state will use wastewater surveillance to spot new infections and variants, while lining up its own supply of tests and a stockpile of 75 million masks to deploy as needed. California also wants to be able to administer 200,000 vaccine doses per day if another surge arrives.

The strategy represents a ...