The average rate of COVID-19 infections rate in San Diego County now exceeds four every minute, according to reports from health authorities.
On Thursday, the county registered nearly 6,000 new infections. These numbers represent a combination of the Omicron variant, the aftermath of recent holiday gatherings, and the winter season.
The rise of infections stood out as the county registered 3,653 on Tuesday, 4,550 on Wednesday, and 5,976 on Thursday. On a daily basis, the county runs just over 34,000 COVID-19 tests.
On Tuesday, health officials identified 12.8 percent of the reported cases as positive. By Wednesday, it reached 17.5 percent.
As a result, county health authorities asked county residents to limit New Year's gatherings to only close friends and family members who are vaccinated. Data shows infection of the Omicron also impacts those who are fully vaccinated and boosted individuals.
The first reported Omicron case in San Diego county came from an infected traveler who came from abroad. The first case of local transmission came from two men about 30 years old who were vaccinated with a booster who experienced mild symptoms due to their vaccination status.
The first case of a person who came from abroad to San Diego County infected with Omicron and the first case of contagion contracted locally were two men in their 30s, fully vaccinated with a booster, who due to the vaccines only experienced mild symptoms.
Even asymptomatic individuals infected with Omicron may spread the virus among the population.
Los Angeles County health officials reported an increase of infections on Monday, where 70 percent of the population has been vaccinated. The infections rose more than 10,000 in a single day, but that number increased to over 20,000 in a 24-hour period.
The California State Department of Public Health reported that unvaccinated people are now 5.2 times more likely to become infected with COVID-19. Those who are unvaccinated are 14.5 times more likely to be hospitalized, and 15 times more likely to lose their lives than vaccinated people, according to the department.
