SAN JOSE (KPIX) — A dramatic spike in COVID-19 circumstances in Santa Clara County, in addition to the detection of the county’s first Omicron case, has well being consultants doubling down on well being protocols, particularly as the vacations method.
“Vaccinate and enhance, masks, check, ventilate and distance,” stated Santa Clara County public well being officer Dr. Sara Cody throughout a information convention Friday.
In precisely two weeks, hundreds of thousands will collect with their household and mates for Christmas Eve. Well being consultants are urging individuals to not let their guard down with regards to the pandemic.
“We have now to watch out, whereas not panicking, we shouldn’t downplay the potential of this new wave, the Omicron wave,” stated Stanford College Hospital epidemiologist Dr. Jorge Salinas. “There are indicators that inform us that the variety of circumstances will go up and so they might go up very quickly.”
He stated different international locations that detected the Omicron variant earlier than the U.S. have seen a major uptick in circumstances and that America might comply with the identical sample.
Constructive COVID circumstances have already been growing within the Bay Space, probably the results of Thanksgiving gatherings.
College of San Francisco prof. of drugs Dr. Peter Chin-Hong suggested that vacation plans might proceed for many who are vaccinated however with warning.
“In case you’re unvaccinated, you actually must navigate the world very rigorously, as a result of we’ve got a way more transmissible variant than a 12 months in the past,” Dr. Chin-Hong stated. “We should always at all times navigate this work of COVID safely and punctiliously and that’s what we’ll proceed to do. However, personally talking, I’m vaccinated and boosted. I really feel very assured transferring round. If it’s actually crowded I put on a masks.”
Each medical doctors stated the rollercoaster of COVID-19 might be our new regular, not less than for some time. Notably, there might be a dip after a surge, they stated.
Dr. Salinas stated that individuals ought to be cautious when gathering for the vacations because it seems the Omicron variant is extra transmissible than the Delta variant regardless of immunity, each naturally and thru the vaccine.
The physician stated if there’s a large variety of constructive circumstances, the financial affect on the workforce might be vital if persons are quarantining and those that have been doubtlessly uncovered are isolating as properly.
Ruth Hurtado, who was pressured to quarantine final 12 months after she was uncovered to somebody with COVID, might be with household this Christmas. She stated they’re all vaccinated and she or he plans to get examined earlier than they collect.
“They’re excited. It’s been a tough 12 months for us so we’re excited to spend the vacations collectively,” stated Hurtado. “I haven’t seen them in a very long time so I’m excited to get along with my mother, dad, brother, sister.”
