County Calls for Vigilance as COVID-19 Cases and Hospitalizations Increase – countynewscenter.com

The County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency is seeing significant recent spikes in COVID-19 hospitalizations and new cases, prompting officials to call for more vigilance.

Lab-confirmed coronavirus cases remain near 10,000 per week, but it is important to note that this figure does not include antigen tests many people now take at home. Results from home tests are not tracked by the County and those that do get reported are listed in the probable case count, not the lab-confirmed case counts published by the County.

The County has also seen an increase in reinfections, San Diegans who have tested positive for COVID-19 several times throughout the pandemic. National data shows that prior infection does not necessarily prevent reinfection with some of the newer virus variants.

Hospitalizations for COVID-related illness are also on the rise, up 66 percent in the last 30 days. New ICU admissions rose 68 percent during that same time frame.

Due to the increased level of community transmission, including reinfections, we strongly recommend masking, especially in crowded spaces or around family, friends and colleagues who may be more vulnerable to COVID-19, said Cameron Kaiser, M.D., M.P.H., County deputy public health officer. Our best bet in preventing hospitalizations and deaths is to stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters, and isolating from others when sick.

Vaccinations are available to everyone 6 months of age and older. Boosters are available for everyone age five and older. Those 50 and older, and those who are moderately or severely immunocompromised, are encouraged to get a second booster four months after their initial booster.

A variety of treatment options are available to San Diegans who test positive for COVID-19. Treatment is recommended for high-risk individuals because it can prevent illness from progressing to the point where an individual needs hospital services. Timely treatment also lowers the risk of dying from COVID.

Oral medications, in the form of pills, and monoclonal antibodies, in the form of an intravenous infusion, are available at multiple locations and community pharmacies across San Diego. Antiviral pills should be started within five days of developing symptoms of COVID-19. Monoclonal antibodies should be given no more than seven days after the onset of symptoms.

To determine which treatment is best for you, talk to your doctor or health care provider, or call 2-1-1 to find a provider.

Data updates to theCountys coronavirus-sd.com websitewill be published Mondays and Thursdays around 5 p.m., with the exception of holidays.

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County Calls for Vigilance as COVID-19 Cases and Hospitalizations Increase - countynewscenter.com