The number of COVID-19 cases continue to rise since Thanksgiving in the City of Chula Vista as reported in an update by Emergency Service Manager Marlon King.
The most recent numbers in the city indicate levels of high and substantial community transmission. King said this is mainly caused by the COVID-19 Delta variant, but acknowledges the newly found Omicron variant in San Diego county.
“This is kind of two steps backwards in where we are going. We have to nip this in the butt before it gets any worse,” King said.
California recently reinstated a month-long mask mandate for people 2 and older regardless of vaccination status to wear masks indoors, and places further restrictions regarding public events and travel for unvaccinated populations. State health officials say the statewide seven-day average has increased by 47 percent since Thanksgiving.
“These numbers are very concerning and these numbers continue to trend in the wrong direction. They are going back up, and that is why we are taking some of the actions that we are seeing across the nation, especially here in the state of California,” King said.
As of Dec.4, Chula Vista saw an increase of 2,670 cases from the week prior, now totalling 5,179 reported cases city-wide. The daily case average is 740 and the city reports 18 more COVID-19 related deaths, bringing the total to 26. There are 23 reported outbreaks.
“Certain populations are unvaccinated which allows for the virus to mutate, evolve, spread and evade some of the protections that are set in place," King said. "That is why some of the non-pharmaceutical measures are back in place so that we can nip this quickly.”
The precautionary measures imposed by the state is “something that we have to do to get those numbers back under control” according to King. In addition to the masks, the state imposed restrictions on unvaccinated people who attend events with 1,000 people or more by requiring a negative COVID test within one day of the event if it's a rapid antigen test, or within two days if it's a PCR test. The previous rules required a test within 72 hours of the event.
Despite the upward trend, King said it is “It's nothing egregious”.
“It's like a faucet when it starts dripping. You want to stop that drip before it becomes a big leak or a big run,” King said.
There is an increase in the people seeking COVID-19 testing. King said the city is performing approximately 1,000 tests per week and more hospitalizations come with positive tests. In the last 30 days, numbers reflect a 24 percent increase in hospitalizations and a 12 percent increase in the number of COVID-19 related ICU patients within Chula Vista.
“This is an area of concern across the state. Numbers that are reported state wide show hospitals at or over capacity. In San Diego, we are still in good position, but that can turn the corner if we don't get this under control and get more communities vaccinated to reduce the spread of this new variant and the existing vartieties,” King said.
As of Wednesday, the county reported four new Omicron cases. County records show two of the four identified patients had not received their booster shots, but all were fully vaccinated.
“Not enough data is out there to understand exactly how this virus is spreading,” King said. “The best defence against any COVID variety is to get vaccinated, get the booster vaccine, continue to wear your masks and get tested as necessary. Testing is one of the very important key things because you don't want to be a carrier without knowing it.”
Testing is offered 6 days a week at 276 Fourth Avenue and 1301 Oleander Ave.The city has partnered with Communities Fighting COVID, a group out of San Diego State University to offer rapid testing several times per month at the South Chula Vista Library on 389 Orange Avenue. Their calendar scheduled testing events is on the city’s web page.
Residents may receive vaccines at city hall and at six locations city-wide. Appointments and walk-ins are accepted at those locations. Members of the public are asked to schedule their vaccination appointments through the city’s webpage or through myturn.ca.gov.
Vaccinations for home bound residents are still available and are administered by the CVFD. Home bound seniors over 65 in Chula Vista can call 619-476-2397 to schedule a vaccination appointment.
