Upcoming holiday celebration calls for increased interactions with loved ones and county health officials urge members of the public to be safe during their holiday celebrations.
An increased number of COVID-19 cases have been reported, and the growing number of Omicron sparked concern among county health officials. The total number of COVID-19 cases reported to the county on Dec. 21 is at 1,856, which is the highest the county has seen since Aug.26 when there was a reported 1,865.
In the week beginning Dec.15, the county has seen an additional 16 Omicron cases bringing the region’s known cases to 22. The county reported its first hospitalization due to Omicron, though no further information is available.
An advisory issued through the County and the Hospitalization Association of San Diego issued an advisory that urged for residents to take precautionary measures such as vaccination, attaining a booster shot due to this rise in cases.
“For those unvaccinated or in need of a booster, please get vaccinated now as an early New Year’s resolution,” Wilma J. Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer, said in the advisory issued today. “I know many are weary of the pandemic, but we all need to pull together for one another and take the simple steps we know work, especially with the more transmissible omicron variant.”
In the previous week, 7,507 cases were identified in the previous week beginning Dec.15, which presented a 59 percent increase compared to the week before, when the county reported 4,719 cases. According to health officials, the number of people in the hospital with COVID-19 are those who are not fully vaccinated.
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced three initiatives on Wednesday aimed to slow transmission rates of Omicron, which is dubbed to have a higher transmission rate than Delta.
With the abundant availability of vaccines, health officials continue to say vaccines are the best protection against the virus. Pharmacies, medical providers, clinics and other locations throughout the county make up 400 vaccination sites.
In addition to wearing a mask indoors in public places, the following measures also help to protect against all varieties of COVID-19, including the Omicron variant:
- Get vaccinated and get a booster if you qualify. The vaccine is widely available in the region, including at health care providers, retail pharmacies and community clinics. You can also make an appointment or find a site near you by calling (833) 422-4255 or visiting the MyTurn.
- Wear a mask, especially in public indoor settings, regardless of vaccination status.
- Get tested if you’ve traveled or have any symptoms, whether you’ve been vaccinated or not. You can make a free test appointment or find a walk-up test clinic at coronavirus-sd.com.
- Get CA Notify to receive alerts if you were in close contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19.
- Wash your hands frequently and stay home if you’re sick and distance yourself from others.
