California is currently experiencing a significant surge in COVID cases, fueled by highly contagious variants of the virus. This surge comes as the state prepares to distribute a new vaccine in the coming days. The latest data from the California Department of Public Health reveals that the state’s test positivity rate has exceeded 14%, the highest it has been since July of 2022 and one of the highest marks since the start of the pandemic in 2020.
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In the absence of federal and state tracking of COVID case counts, the percentage of positive lab-processed tests has become a crucial metric for gauging the spread of the virus within a community, much like how influenza has historically been monitored.
The virus is currently active across the entire country, with some East Coast schools mandating masks and First Lady Jill Biden testing positive for the virus after the Labor Day weekend. President Biden himself caused some confusion when he contradicted CDC guidelines and stated that he did not need to wear a face mask indoors for 10 days after exposure.
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“Let me explain to the press: I’ve been tested again today. I’m clear across the board,” Biden said, holding up a black face mask. “But they keep telling me, because this has to be 10 days or something, I’ve got to keep wearing it. But don’t tell them I didn’t have it on when I walked in.”
Biden’s disregard for his own administration’s guidance reflects how the virus is now perceived as being less dangerous compared to previous waves driven by the delta and original omicron variants.
In California, while hospitalizations have been on the rise in recent weeks, they remain far below the record highs seen during the first winter surge in late 2020 and early 2021, with only 1,600 COVID patients hospitalized last week compared to over 20,000 during the peak of the first surge.
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There has been no significant increase in deaths reported thus far, with the average number of daily COVID deaths holding steady at around nine or ten since May. In total, 4,461 Californians have died from COVID this year, compared to 17,214 by the end of August in 2022.
Fortunately, additional protection is on the horizon. The Food and Drug Administration is expected to approve new vaccines designed to safeguard against the XBB.1.5 omicron subvariant in the coming days. Although this strain is no longer dominant, the updated vaccines are anticipated to offer greater efficacy than their predecessors. Clinical trial data released on Wednesday suggests that Moderna’s revised COVID vaccine generates a strong immune response against the highly mutated BA.2.86 variant.
As the test positivity rates continue to climb, other metrics also indicate a growing wave of COVID cases. “We see a similar trend in wastewater data,” stated Sarah Rudman, Deputy Health Officer at the County of Santa Clara Public Health Department.
Public health officials have been reminding the public for several weeks that during periods of high transmission, wearing masks indoors and in crowded settings, particularly for those at higher risk, is the best course of action. “These recommendations become even more critical during moments like the current surge,” Rudman added.
“With COVID wastewater rates high at two of the four local sewer sheds, we do recommend that folks mask when they are indoors in public places or in large crowds … especially for our most vulnerable residents,” she said.
Despite the increasing rates, there are currently no plans to implement new measures in Santa Clara County beyond the existing mask recommendations, according to Rudman. However, there is an ongoing public health order in the county, in effect from November 1 until the end of March, requiring masks in healthcare facilities during the busy flu season. Additionally, Alameda County maintains a mask requirement in skilled nursing facilities.
“As we head into the winter months, that order will go into effect requiring masking in our hospitals, clinics, and skilled nursing facilities to help make sure our most vulnerable residents are especially well protected,” Rudman explained.
Wire services contributed to this report.
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