COVID-19
breaking news & updates
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“I hear time and time again, from small businesses, large businesses and workers … that what’s really hurting the economy is actually COVID itself. There are times where we recognize that our decisions have a broader effect on people around us. COVID has reminded us of that, and that’s why having these types of requirements in work places will be not only helpful, it’s a necessary step to accelerate our pathway out of the pandemic.”
U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy
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COVID Test Resources
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Here's Why The Bay Area Landed Back In The Red And Orange CDC Tiers For COVID Spread
Maybe it was all too good to be true. As COVID-19 case rates fell through the autumn, it seemed as if finally the pandemic was drawing to an end. But then, as it has so many times before, the coronavirus threw another punch. After slow but steady improvement in the public health metrics, the numbers hit a wall. Truth is, case rates haven’t changed dramatically in recent weeks. Since the beginning of October, several Bay Area counties - including most recently Marin and San Francisco - have bounced between the “moderate,” “substantial” and “high” levels, with case rates zig-zagging across the lines separating the CDC’s official risk levels. One factor keeping case numbers where they are, instead of dropping more, could be the waning use of interventions like masks, according to Dr. Bob Wachter, the chair of UCSF’s Department of Medicine.
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Bay Area Pediatricians Urge Parents: Don’t Wait To Vaccinate 5-11 Year Olds
Bay Area pediatricians answered questions anxious parents are frequently asking now that COVID-19 vaccines are available for children between ages 5-11. Dr. Stephanie Chiang, a pediatrician with Sutter’s Palo Alto Medical Foundation in Fremont, and Dr. Judith Vallero, a pediatrician with Sutter Medical Group in Davis, had one strong message for parents: COVID vaccines are safe and effective for young children. Chiang and Vallero told a dozen reporters Friday that they both have children who are younger than 12 years old. The pediatricians said they are getting their own kids vaccinated within the next week so they can be fully vaccinated before Christmas. KRON4
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S.F.'s Neighborhood Vaccine Clinics Begin Vaccinating Children 5-11
On an overcast day in San Francisco’s Excelsior district, Loren and Gianna Shand, 11 and 8, watched as SpongeBob and Patrick mascots bounced around, the air around them filled with bubbles. But despite the cheerful atmosphere, the girls were still a little nervous. “It’s time to get vaccinated!” their mom, Sonjane Shand, said, her arms around the two girls’ shoulders as they approached the nurse, who had the lower dose pediatric Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine waiting for them. The sisters were among the first youngsters ages 5-11 to get the Pfizer shot Saturday during San Francisco public heath department’s first full day offering at its city-run community vaccination clinic.
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How Lagging Vaccination Rates Could Keep The Bay Area’s Black Students Out Of School
With some Bay Area school districts requiring students to get COVID-19 shots to return to class, Black students are being vaccinated at rates far below their peers, exacerbating long-standing racial disparities laid bare by the pandemic and raising fears that Black students could be disproportionately shut out of public school. The vaccine gap is significant, according to an analysis of county health department data by this news organization: In five core Bay Area counties, 52 percent of Black students between the ages of 12 and 17 have received at least one shot compared with 85 percent of all students. Mercury News Read more
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Will The Bay Area’s 5- to 11-Year-Olds Be Required To Show Proof Of Vaccination For Indoor Events?
Just as children ages 5 to 11 are beginning to receive COVID-19 vaccines, Bay Area officials are considering whether they will be required to show proof of vaccination before entering certain public venues. Officials in both San Francisco and San Jose indicated this week that they plan to expand their vaccination verification orders to this age group once parents have been given adequate time to get their children vaccinated. Contra Costa County, on the other hand, isn’t ready to make a call on it just yet. Mercury News Read more
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Sprawling Display Of Small Flags Celebrates The 626 Lives Lost To COVID-19 In San Mateo County
At Foster City’s expansive Leo J. Ryan Memorial Park, a sea of small white flags, fluttering in the slight breeze, added a solemn note to the park’s usual Sunday tableau of kids playing in the grass, couples walking dogs and friends gathering for picnics under sunny, blue skies. The thin vinyl flags, planted in neat rows on lush grass near the stone memorial honoring Ryan, the area’s late congressman, numbered 626: one for each life lost to COVID-19 in San Mateo County.
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U.S. Administers 430.9 Million Doses of COVID-19 Vaccines - CDC
The United States has administered 430,927,624 doses of COVID-19 vaccines in the country as of Sunday morning and distributed 534,081,335 doses, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. Those figures are up from the 429,442,508 vaccine doses the CDC said had gone into arms by Nov. 6 out of 533,019,545 doses delivered. The CDC tally includes two-dose vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech, as well as Johnson & Johnson's one-shot vaccine.
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Study Shows Dramatic Decline In Effectiveness Of All Three COVID-19 Vaccines Over Time
As the Delta variant became the dominant strain of coronavirus across the United States, all three COVID-19 vaccines available to Americans lost some of their protective power, with vaccine efficacy among a large group of veterans dropping between 35% and 85%, according to a new study. Researchers who scoured the records of nearly 800,000 U.S. veterans found that in early March, just as the Delta variant was gaining a toehold across American communities, the three vaccines were roughly equal in their ability to prevent infections. But over the next six months, that changed dramatically.
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Far Fewer Californians Getting COVID-19 Booster Shots Than Expected, Bringing New Alarms
Demand for COVID-19 booster shots in California has been slower than some health officials anticipated, according to data obtained by The Times, sparking new concerns of at-risk populations losing immunity as the risky holiday season approaches. The alarm is particularly high for elderly people and those with compromised immune systems, groups who have the highest risk of suffering severe consequences or death from breakthrough infections. Officials are also strongly recommending that all recipients of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine get a booster shot. LA Times Read more
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Health Care Company Cuts Ties With Aaron Rodgers After COVID-19 Vaccine Comments
A Wisconsin health care organization has ended a nine-year partnership with Green Bay Packers star Aaron Rodgers after the quarterback detailed his reasoning for avoiding the three COVID-19 vaccinations endorsed by the NFL. A statement posted on Twitter by Prevea Health said the company and Rodgers mutually agreed to end their partnership, effective Saturday. Prevea Health and Rodgers had been partners since 2012. The statement said Prevea Health "remains deeply committed to protecting its patients, staff, providers and communities amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes encouraging and helping all eligible populations to become vaccinated against COVID-19 to prevent the virus from further significantly impacting lives and livelihoods." NPR Read more
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Antibody Drugs Could Protect People With Weak Immune Systems Against COVID
Even as the COVID Delta wave ebbs in the U.S., millions of people with compromised immune systems remain trapped in an anxious and sequestered limbo. A considerable portion of this population, research indicates, remains highly vulnerable to the coronavirus even after three or four vaccine shots. Many immunocompromised Americans, including people with cancer, autoimmune disorders and transplanted organs, are impatiently awaiting what could be their ticket back to some semblance of normalcy: the ability to receive periodic injections of long-acting monoclonal antibodies. NBC News
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Pfizer Says Its Antiviral Pill Can Vastly Reduce Hospitalization And Death
Pfizer announced on Friday that its pill to treat COVID-19 had been found in a key clinical trial to be highly effective at preventing severe illness among at-risk people who received the drug soon after they exhibited symptoms. The antiviral pill is the second of its kind to demonstrate efficacy against COVID. It appears to be more effective than a similar offering from Merck, which is awaiting federal authorization. Pfizer’s pill, which will be sold under the brand name Paxlovid, cut the risk of hospitalization or death by 89 percent when given within three days of the start of symptoms. The treatment could become available in the next few months. NY Times Read more
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State/National/International News |
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The U.S. Lifts The Pandemic Travel Ban And Opens The Doors To International Visitors
The U.S. lifted restrictions Monday on travel from a long list of countries including Mexico, Canada and most of Europe, allowing tourists to make long-delayed trips and family members to reconnect with loved ones after more than a year and a half apart because of the pandemic. Starting today, the U.S. is accepting fully vaccinated travelers at airports and land borders, doing away with a COVID-19 restriction that dates back to the Trump administration. The new rules allow air travel from previously restricted countries as long as the traveler has proof of vaccination and a negative COVID-19 test. Land travel from Mexico and Canada will require proof of vaccination but no test. Airlines are expecting more travelers from Europe and elsewhere. NPR Read more
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California’s COVID-19 Case Rate Now Twice Florida’s - What’s Up With That?
A month ago the coronavirus seemed headed for a long winter’s nap in masked and well-vaccinated California. Gov. Gavin Newsom boasted that the Golden State “continues to lead the nation” as the only state to reach the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s yellow “moderate” tier of community virus transmission. But COVID-19 cases aren’t falling in California anymore. They have climbed back up to the CDC's blood-red "high" level of virus transmission as the highly contagious Delta variant continues to wreak havoc. Meanwhile, the virus has gone quiet in Deep South states that abandoned mask orders, opposed vaccine mandates, posted lower vaccination rates and saw larger outbreaks over the summer. California’s case rate is now well above Texas’ and double Florida’s, which along with the rest of the Gulf Coast are down to the CDC’s orange “substantial” transmission level. East Bay Times Read more
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Holiday Travel During The Pandemic: Are Planes, Trains, Or Automobiles Safer?
As you make plans for trips this holiday season, you may be wondering which mode of transportation would be best to take as we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Is it safer to travel by train or plane cross-country? Is a bus more convenient? What are the different requirements and safety protocols for each? Should you just hop in your own car? These are just some of the many questions people are asking themselves as they contemplate traveling during the holiday season this year. Healthline Read more
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Oxford Scientists Find Gene That Doubles Risk Of Dying From COVID-19
Scientists identified a specific gene that doubles the risk of respiratory failure from COVID-19 and may go some way to explaining why some ethnic groups are more susceptible to severe disease than others. Researchers from the University of Oxford found that a higher-risk version of the gene most likely prevents the cells lining airways and the lungs from responding to the virus properly. About 60% of people with South Asian ancestry carry this version of the gene, compared with 15% of people with European heritage, according to the study published Thursday. Bloomberg Read more
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Center Of Italy’s Anti-Vaccine Protests Is Now A COVID Hot Spot
When Italy introduced Europe's toughest and most expansive health pass last month, the northeastern port city of Trieste became the epicenter of protests as vaccine skeptics marched alongside dock workers who shouted that the measure infringed on their right to work. Now, two weeks later, Trieste has emerged as a center of something else: a Covid outbreak linked directly to those protests that threatens to burden intensive care units and mar the reputation of a city that was once a cosmopolitan hub of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and today has vast ambitions to revitalize its port. NY Times
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COVID Linked To Heart Inflammation In Cats And Dogs
Late last year, as the coronavirus surged across the United Kingdom, Dr. Luca Ferasin and his colleagues started noticing an uptick in patients with symptoms of myocarditis, or heart inflammation. The condition is a rare side effect of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, most commonly seen in men under 30. It can also be caused by infection with the virus itself. But these patients weren’t humans; they were cats and dogs. NBC News Read more
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Over Half Of Employees Would Report A Coworker For Violating Vaccine Mandates, Study Says
Most employees favor President Joe Biden's efforts to mandate COVID-19 vaccines for employees at large companies, and many workers would consider reporting a co-worker for violating the vaccine rules, a new study suggests. The study published Wednesday by Qualtrics surveyed 1,309 employees to see how they would feel about vaccine mandates and how it would shape workplace culture. USA Today
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Total Confirmed Cases
Bay Area: 601,891
California: 4,960,710
U.S.: 46,488,429
Alameda County
Total Vaccines Administered: 2,571,319
Total Cases: 120,002
Total Deaths: 1,57
Test Positivity (7-day rate): 1.4%
Hospitalized Patients (as of 11/8): 81
ICU Beds Available (as of 11/8): 116
As of November 8, cases have increased recently and are high. The number of hospitalized COVID patients has fallen the Alameda County area. Deaths have increased. The test positivity rate in Alameda County is relatively low, suggesting that testing capacity is adequate for evaluating COVID spread in the area. NY Times
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Total Reported Deaths
Bay Area: 6,690
California: 72,525
U.S.: 754,431
Contra Costa County
Total Vaccines Administered: 1,835,964
Total Cases: 99,999
Total Deaths: 1,028
Test Positivity (7-day rate): 2.2%
Hospitalized Patients (as of 11/8): 45
ICU Beds Available (as of 11/8): 46
As of November 8, cases have stayed about the same recently and are still high. The number of hospitalized COVID patients has fallen in the Contra Costa County area. Deaths have remained at about the same level. The test positivity rate in Contra Costa County is relatively low, suggesting that testing capacity is adequate for evaluating COVID-19 spread in the area. NY Times
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5 Ways To Prepare Your Child For The COVID Vaccine
The pandemic has been extremely disruptive for everyone the past 19 months - especially kids. From missed days of school to the avoidance of indoor establishments such as restaurants and indoor playgrounds, it’s fair to say they’re ready for a change. Luckily, the COVID-19 vaccine is now available for children ages 5-11. And while many parents are eager for this highly anticipated protection against the novel coronavirus, it can also bring a great deal of anxiety to children who may be afraid of needles. University of Michigan Health Read more
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- COVID-19 testing is a good idea, but keep in mind, people who test negative can still harbor the virus if they are early in their infection.
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A viral test tells you if you have a current infection.
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An antibody test might tell you if you had a past infection.
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Over the past week, Alameda County has averaged 127 new cases and 2.4 new deaths per day.
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Over the past week, Contra Costa County has averaged 105 new cases and 0.1 new death per day.
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Top 10 Locations of Cases in
Alameda County, cumulative
as of 11/8/21
Oakland: 37,493
Hayward: 17,257
Fremont: 10,701
Eden MAC: 7,500
San Leandro: 7,394
Livermore: 6,491
Union City: 5,098
Berkeley: 5,093
Castro Valley: 3,765
Newark: 3,555
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Top 10 Locations of Cases in
Contra Costa County, cumulative
as of 11/8/21
Richmond: 15,065
Antioch: 14,594
Concord: 11,266
Pittsburg: 9,524
San Pablo: 6,591
Brentwood: 6,287
Oakley: 5,301
Walnut Creek: 4,345
Bay Point: 3,792
San Ramon: 3,258
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About Eden Health District |
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The Eden Health District Board of Directors are Chair Mariellen Faria, Vice Chair Pam Russo, Secretary/Treasurer Roxann Lewis, Gordon Galvan and Varsha Chauhan. The Chief Executive Officer is Mark Friedman.
The Eden Health District is committed to ensuring that policy makers and community members receive accurate and timely information to help make the best policy and personal choices to meet and overcome the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
We welcome your feedback on our bulletin. Please contact editor Lisa Mahoney.
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