California reports first case of more contagious COVID-19 strain; more states expected Grace Hauck and Joel Shannon, USA TODAY Gov. Newsom and Dr. Fauci discuss California's first case of more contagious COVID strain Replay Video UP NEXT Gov. Gavin Newsom, speaking in an online conversation with Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's leading infectious disease expert, said the case was confirmed in Southern California Wednesday afternoon. During a Wednesday afternoon briefing, San Diego County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher said a 30-year-old man in the county with no travel history tested positive for the new strain on Tuesday. On Tuesday, California reported Southern California's Intensive Care Unit availability is 0%.