"California Loosens COVID Isolation Rule Amid Rising Cases"

California has ended the COVID-19 isolation rule for asymptomatic cases, allowing infected individuals to resume normal activities if their symptoms are improving and they are fever-free for 24 hours without medication. The state's new strategy aims to minimize disruptions in schools and treat COVID-19 like other endemic respiratory infections, but has faced criticism from some experts and advocates who argue that the change could increase the risk of infection for vulnerable populations. The move comes as California experiences a surge in respiratory illnesses fueled by COVID-19, seasonal influenza, and RSV, and follows other significant changes to the state's COVID-19 response strategy.