LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Lake County’s Public Health officer issued an update on Monday about the “springtime swell” of COVID-19 cases in Lake County and across the rest of the region.
Dr. Erik McLaughlin said Lake County is seeing an increase in COVID cases, with testing showing that 10.7% of all patients testing for COVID are testing positive.
McLaughlin said this number has been gradually increasing from 2% over the last few weeks, and nearby counties are reinstating indoor masking requirements.
“At this time, I would like to strongly emphasize the importance of using a properly fitting mask in indoor public settings and getting vaccinated if you are not already. If you have symptoms of Covid-19, please get tested and speak with your health care provider,” McLaughlin said.
He reported that the Bay Area now has California’s highest COVID infection rates. This swell of infections is largely due to the continued emergence of highly contagious Omicron subvariants.
Even though the more transmissible BA.2.12.1 Omicron subvariant became officially dominant in the United States last month, McLaughlin said it is already being displaced by the new BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants. These two newer variants are said to be contributing to overlapping waves of Omicron in part because of their abilities to reinfect.
“Lake County is seeing increases in reported cases, levels of virus during sewage surveillance, and hospitalizations. Actual case rates are higher than those reported because of the widespread use of at-home tests,” McLaughlin said.
“The tragic milestone of one million deaths across the United States from COVID gives weight to the need for continued vigilance, although we are all understandably fatigued. In Lake County, hospitalizations are increasing but remain relatively low compared to previous surges and well within the capacity of the hospital system,” he said.
McLaughlin said approximately 72% of eligible Lake County residents have been fully vaccinated or received their initial dose, reducing the severity of the disease even as case rates increase.
If you have received your primary series of vaccines, McLaughlin said it is important to get a booster in accordance with the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendations.
Vaccination remains the best protection against severe disease and death from COVID, but new oral antiviral therapeutics by Pfizer (Paxlovid) and Merck (Molnupiravir) have allowed for another layer of protection, McLaughlin said.
Test to treat locations offer end-to-end testing, linkage to health care providers, and medication dispensing, available on-site, enabling a seamless patient experience.
A list of test to treat providers and locations is available on the Public Health website.