The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated San Diego's COVID-19 status to "medium" as we approach Memorial Day Weekend.
The CDC updated that status in a statement early on Thursday, following an increase in cases in the month of May, in particular the 26% spike from last week to today.
According to the update, the CDC bases its status on each county's hospital bed occupation numbers, numbers of admitted individuals into hospitals, and the overall number of new COVID cases
“The medium-risk level means that San Diegans who are immunocompromised should consider resuming higher levels of protective measures to prevent illness,” health officials wrote. “Everyone, regardless of individual risk level, should stay up to date with their vaccines and booster doses and get tested if they develop symptoms of COVID-19.”
This update becomes alarming to the county in general, in particular the educational department such as the San Diego Unified School District, who lifted their mask mandates on campus in large part due to the COVID status drop to "low-risk" in March.
County deputy public health officer Cameron Kaiser, M.D., M.P.H., says that although there is no current mask mandate in place, it is still strongly suggested that everyone wears a mask(especially indoors). The county health officer also adds that locals in San Diego shouldn't ignore the recent rise in cases that have transpired in recent weeks leading up to this update.
“While facial coverings are no longer mandatory in most places, the County, along with the California Department of Public Health, strongly recommends masking, especially indoors and around those who may be vulnerable to COVID-19,” said the health officer. “Spread of the virus has increased in recent weeks and we should step up individual efforts to keep our community safe.”
This report follows Los Angeles County's "medium" status update from last week, where they moved up on the COVID-risk latter after an increase on cases.
