The winter respiratory virus season may have peaked in California, with coronavirus levels in sewage and the number of coronavirus hospitalizations starting to decline after weeks of steady increases.
If this trend continues, 2023-2024 will be the mildest winter of the coronavirus era in terms of severe cases, without even coming close to the devastating and devastating surge seen the previous year. .
Although we have made good progress in reducing hospitalizations due to positive coronavirus cases, a significant number of people are still getting sick. And despite improved patient outcomes thanks to the rollout of vaccines and treatments, COVID-19 still causes more deaths and new respiratory hospitalizations than influenza.
Despite recent declines, levels of COVID-19 infections are still elevated compared to before the winter, and health officials say it’s important that residents, especially older adults, continue to take steps to protect themselves. It states that.
“The next coronavirus infection could be the worst, so don’t gamble with your health,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention wrote in a letter. social media posts. “Vaccination reduces risk and severity and keeps you protected.”
In the week ending Jan. 27, the most recent week for which data is available, 2,496 people were newly hospitalized with coronavirus in California, down 16% from the previous week, according to the CDC. The clear seasonal high was the week ending December 30, with 3,746 new hospitalizations.
The peak of hospitalizations last winter was in the final week of 2022, when 5,260 coronavirus-positive patients were hospitalized.
As hospitalizations due to the coronavirus decline, Los Angeles County health officials on Friday renewed an order issued just after Christmas requiring health care workers and visitors to wear masks in hospitals and other facilities providing inpatient care. Canceled.
But starting in the fall, employees at licensed health care facilities who have not received COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations will also have to wear masks when working in patient care areas. This health order will last until April 30, when the respiratory virus outbreak ends.
In Los Angeles County, levels of coronavirus detected through wastewater monitoring, which the county uses as a baseline to assess coronavirus activity, have decreased. In the week ending January 20, virus wastewater concentrations were 64% of the peak recorded last winter, according to the latest data available. This measure improved slightly from last week, when it was 67% of last winter’s peak and the highest of the season.
Coronavirus levels are also declining at the largest wastewater plant in Santa Clara County, Northern California’s most populous county. Virus levels there appear to have peaked in mid-January, near the all-time highs seen during the first Omicron wave two winters ago.
In the latest readings Saturday, coronavirus levels in San Jose’s wastewater plants are down 49% of their peak compared to two winters ago. Its concentration is still believed to be high.
In Los Angeles County, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (two components of the “triple pandemic” that hit California hospitals last winter) remain at high levels, but down from their seasonal peak, public health officials say. It is said to be decreasing.
Health officials continue to urge the public to get the latest COVID-19 vaccination if they have not already done so since a new version of the COVID-19 vaccine became available in September. Only 33% of Californians age 65 and older are up to date on vaccinations.
California’s highest vaccination rates among seniors are in the San Francisco Bay Area, with 52% of seniors in Sonoma County and 56% of seniors in Marin County receiving the latest COVID-19 vaccine. .
“Get the latest doses designed to provide better protection against the new virus,” the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said in a statement. “The new vaccines can also restore immunity that may have diminished over time and reduce the risk of long-term illness from COVID-19.”
A study released Thursday by the CDC found that adults who received the most recent vaccine since September had a 54% increase in protection against symptomatic COVID-19 compared to those who did not. It has been found.
Another study published in January by the CDC found that people 65 and older who received a COVID-19 vaccine last winter were about as likely to develop a coronavirus-related stroke, heart attack, or blood clot. It turned out to be 50% lower. Similar results were found for adults on dialysis who were also vaccinated.
COVID-19 infection is associated with an increased risk of stroke, heart attack, and blood clots.
Even though key indicators of the coronavirus have improved recently, officials and experts say residents should take steps to protect themselves and reduce the chance of spreading the virus if infected. says it is important.
California health officials say people who have been infected with the coronavirus and develop symptoms should stay home until their symptoms have mildly improved, they haven’t had a fever for 24 hours, and they haven’t taken medication.
People infected with the coronavirus, whether or not they have symptoms, must wear a mask around others for 10 days after becoming ill or receiving a positive test result. Otherwise, there is a risk of spreading the infection. According to state guidelines, people can remove their masks early if they receive two consecutive negative rapid test results at least one day apart.
Los Angeles County health officials are going a step further than the state, recommending that people wait 10 days after developing symptoms or first testing positive for a negative rapid test before leaving their homes. After this period, a negative result from the rapid test is not required.
Santa Clara County health officials also warned residents of the risks if they end their quarantine earlier than 10 days.
“The best scientific information indicates that a person infected with COVID-19 may be contagious for approximately 10 days after becoming ill or testing positive,” County Public Health said. the bureau said. “Given the continued risk of transmission of COVID-19, individuals should maximize indoor ventilation and filtration, work remotely, and avoid large indoor gatherings where the benefits outweigh the harms.” You may consider using additional layers of protection where possible, such as avoiding
If you appear to have recovered but your symptoms return or worsen (a phenomenon known as “COVID-19 rebound”), you should take another rapid test. If it comes back positive, the isolation window will be reset.
California health officials are also recommending that people who test positive for the coronavirus avoid contact with older adults and others at high risk for severe COVID-19 infection for at least 10 days.
The CDC’s COVID guidelines differ somewhat from state guidelines. The federal agency recommends that people who test positive stay home for at least five days after becoming ill, or for at least five days after their first positive test if they are asymptomatic.
The CDC says you can end isolation after the fifth day if your symptoms improve and you don’t have a fever for 24 hours. Moderately ill patients who experience symptoms such as difficulty breathing must remain in isolation until the 10th day.
Infected people must wear a mask around others until the 10th day. If you receive negative results from two rapid tests taken two days apart, you can remove your mask early. However, if you continue to test positive, you may still be contagious, and the CDC says you should continue wearing a mask until you receive two consecutive negative results, at least two days apart. “This may mean that you will need to continue wearing masks and testing beyond day 10,” the agency said.
If possible, coronavirus-positive people should stay in a separate room away from uninfected family members and roommates. Ways to reduce transmission between family members include opening windows to let in fresh air, blowing air with a fan, and using an air purifier. Infected people should use a separate bathroom, but if there is only one bathroom, they should clean and disinfect touched surfaces after each use.
Amid reports that COVID-19 patients are having trouble accessing paxlobid, an antiviral drug that can reduce the severity of COVID-19 infections, health officials say there are ways to get the drug. He says there are many. However, it is important to get tested and receive treatment promptly, as medication must be started within 5 days of the onset of symptoms.
Los Angeles County residents can call the county’s public health information line at (833) 540-0473, seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., to discuss free treatment options with a health care provider. Counties may be able to send drugs to residents for free.
Californians who are uninsured or who have difficulty obtaining anti-COVID-19 medications can seek free telehealth by calling (833) 686-5051 or visiting sesamecare.com/covidca You can make a reservation. Depending on your insurance, you may have to pay for the medication yourself.
A National Institutes of Health-funded program featured on test2treat.org provides free access to telehealth and treatment to adults who test positive for COVID-19 or influenza. We offer
