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The number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in San Mateo County is declining as the health unit continues to encourage booster shots.
“The number of patients hospitalized in San Mateo County with COVID-19 was 19 as of yesterday and has fluctuated between 12 and 25 for the last couple of weeks; this is also improved from peak levels though higher than lows of between four and eight in April,” said Louise Rogers, chief of San Mateo County Health, in a news release issued on Oct. 4.
The number of reported cases and hospitalizations categorize San Mateo County as 'Low' in the Center of Disease Control community level designation.
The concentration of COVID-19 in wastewater in and around the county is also declining but has not reached the lowest levels that were experienced in March.
“We are seeing improvements in these indicators relative to the peak levels over the summer and would love to see this trend continue in advance of the winter months. But there is still substantial community transmission,” said Rogers.
Bivalent boosters
According to the health unit, 43,429 residents or six percent of the eligible population in San Mateo have received the COVID-19 booster.
Rogers urges everyone to get vaccinated and follow up with the booster shots to remain protected against the currently circulating Omicron variants.
The COVID-19 booster is available to everyone aged 12-and-older, and same-day appointments can be made at most pharmacies.
“We anticipate that these updated boosters will be available later this month for children ages five to 11,” said Rogers.
County Health will continue to offer weekly standing COVID-19 vaccine clinics through the end of October in the following communities:
- East Palo Alto
- North Fair Oaks
- San Mateo
- Half Moon Bay
- South San Francisco
- Daly City
Appointments are available through the State’s MyTurn system and flu shots can be obtained at the same time.
Rogers says the county is seeing gaps in vaccine uptake for various reasons beyond access. The gaps have been identified in specific communities, including the Black, Latinx and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders.
“Over the next month, we are convening community forums to help identify strategies to close these vaccination gaps,” said Rogers. “These forums will include community-based organizations that serve these target groups across the entire county. With this community guided approach, we plan to focus our resources towards implementing the strategies identified within these community forums.”
Strategies may include outreach and education sessions, in addition to frequent offerings of targeted equity-focused vaccine clinics.
Communities in San Mateo County can request pop-up clinics at any time through the health unit’s online Vaccine Clinic Calendar.
Monkeypox
San Mateo County Health is reporting a low transmission risk of Monkeypox. According to Rogers, there are currently 77 cases in the county, and the number of reported new cases are slowing.
“Vaccine supply is not a limiting factor right now, and the pathways for vaccination through health care providers have improved. We encourage people who meet current vaccine eligibility criteria to get vaccinated,” said Rogers.
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