COVID-19
breaking news & updates
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When And How To Use At-Home COVID Tests As Omicron Surges
The Omicron variant now has taken hold in the Bay Area, and appears to be causing some outbreaks, doubling case rates in a matter of days, and testing the distribution speed of health systems and labs that are rushing to provide tests to residents. Public health officials and experts anticipate winter holidays and celebrations happening over the next weeks will further fuel Omicron’s spread, with increased travel and social gatherings. Many more people in the Bay Area, including vaccinated and boostered people, are about to test positive, and may well be getting those results from at-home COVID tests like Binax Now and QuickVue. SF Chronicle Read more
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COVID Test Resources
Food Pantries
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Omicron Variant Throws A Major Wrench Into Bay Area Holiday Plans
The Omicron variant has grabbed a lot of Bay Area residents attention in a hurry. It is quickly having an impact just about everywhere, changing plans, changing behaviors and changing the holidays. “I’m getting my covid shot,” said Benjy Clemmens. “2nd one.” Clemens was lucky enough to have an appointment for that shot. The walk-in line at San Francisco’s Kaiser campus was so long some people brought folding chairs. Many of them had the variant on their mind. “Yeah, I think that ‘I’m over it, I’m sick of this, I’m tired of it,’ kind of shifted in the last few days to ‘Oh, I better take this seriously,’ and wake up and start back to March 2020,” said Virgina Grandi as she waited for her booster. KPIX5 Read more
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San Francisco Case Rates Double In Five Days As Omicron Tightens Grip
The highly infectious Omicron variant appears to be well established in the Bay Area and likely is fueling outbreaks and early surges in COVID-19 cases across the region, health officials said Tuesday. Case rates have doubled in San Francisco over just the past five days, almost certainly due to Omicron spreading in the community, said Dr. Grant Colfax, head of the Department of Public Health. He said the city has now identified 32 Omicron cases, but he expects there are many more. SF Chronicle Read more
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San Jose Mayor Calls For Booster Shot Mandate Amid Omicron Surge
With the Omicron variant fueling another dangerous surge of coronavirus cases, the mayor of the nation’s tenth largest city wants to require that employees and visitors of city-owned venues show proof of a booster shot. San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo announced a new plan Tuesday to require proof of full vaccination and an additional booster shot in order for residents or visitors to enter city-owned facilities like the SAP center and as a condition of employment with the city. If the rest of the City Council endorses his proposal next month, San Jose could become the first city in California to enact such a mandate. Other cities across the country, including New York City and Boston, are considering similar proof-of-booster requirements. Mercury News
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A Wave Of Bay Area Restaurants Are Shutting Down Temporarily Again As Omicron Spreads
Bay Area restaurants and bars are starting to close temporarily again due to COVID-19. Some are closing because of positive coronavirus cases or exposure among employees, while others are simply shutting down either indoors or entirely out of an abundance of caution as the highly transmissible Omicron variant spreads and sparks heightened concern in the region. Oakland restaurants Bar Shiru, Tacos Oscar and Hi Felicia Supper Club all shut down temporarily this weekend after staff members tested positive, including people who are fully vaccinated and boosted, according to social media posts. Snail Bar, also in Oakland, announced on Instagram on Monday that it will be closed through Jan. 6 after staff were exposed to someone who contracted the virus. Friends and Family bar in Oakland is closed through Dec. 27 after an “increased number of potential staff exposures.” SF Chronicle Read more
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Omicron Suspected In Marin Holiday Party Outbreak
Proof of Vaccine Was Required and Testing Requested
Marin health officials suspect that the Omicron variant might be the cause of a COVID-19 outbreak that occurred after a holiday party at a Larkspur restaurant. At least 28 people have tested positive for COVID-19 following the event, which took place Dec. 11 at Farm House Local. Some attendees have experienced flu-like symptoms. All were in their 40s and 50s. “I think this is a glimpse into the next chapter of the pandemic for us,” Dr. Matt Willis, the county’s public health officer, said on Monday. “I would not be surprised if this particular outbreak was fueled by Omicron.”
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Bay Area Pharmacies Struggle To Keep Rapid Tests In Stock Amid Holidays, Omicron
Rapid self-testing kits are harder to come by at Bay Area pharmacies, as people try to gather safely for the holidays. Stores like CVS and Walgreens are supposed to have kits in stock for sale. But the pharmacy chains is acknowledging the temporary shortage, just as the White House is announcing a new plan to get more of these kits into peoples’ hands quickly. KPIX5 Read more
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California State University Students, Staff Required To Get COVID Boosters
California State University, the nation’s largest four-year public university system, announced Wednesday that it is requiring all students and staff to get COVID-19 vaccine booster shots for the spring semester amid concerns over the Omicron variant. The announcement follows the University of California system on Tuesday placing a similar mandate for students and staff across its campuses after winter break. KRON4 Read more
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FDA Authorizes First Oral Antiviral Treatment for COVID-19
Pfizer's Paxlovid For High Risk Individuals
The Food and Drug Administration granted emergency authorization Wednesday to Pfizer's COVID treatment pill, a major milestone that promises to revolutionize the fight against the virus. The medication, which is recommended for people at a high risk of hospitalization or death, could be available to patients as early as this weekend. Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla told CNBC earlier this month the company has already shipped some of the pills to the U.S. so they can be prescribed as soon as the FDA authorization comes through. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is expected to quickly follow suit with its seal of approval, authorizing its distribution. CNBC Read more
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Only The Pfizer and Moderna Shots, When Reinforced By A Booster, Appear To Stop Omicron Infections
A growing body of preliminary research suggests that the COVID-19 vaccines used in most of the world offer almost no defense against becoming infected by the highly contagious Omicron variant. All vaccines approved in the United States still seem to provide a significant degree of protection against serious illness from Omicron, which is the most crucial goal. But only the Pfizer and Moderna shots, when reinforced by a booster, appear to have success at stopping infections, and these vaccines are unavailable in most of the world. NY Times Read more
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Hospitals Scramble as Antibody Treatments Fail Against Omicron
Hospitals, drug companies and Biden administration officials are racing to address one of the Omicron variant’s biggest threats: Two of the three monoclonal antibody treatments that doctors have depended on to keep COVID-19 patients from becoming seriously ill do not appear to thwart the latest version of the coronavirus. The one such treatment that is still likely to work against Omicron is now so scarce that many doctors and hospitals have already run through their supplies. NY Times Read more
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Army’s Vaccine Could Protect Against All Coronavirus Variants
Scientists in the U.S. Army are developing a COVID-19 vaccine designed to protect against current and future variants—and even other coronaviruses— and are expected to announce positive early results within weeks, a head researcher told the military news outlet Defense One on Tuesday. Dr. Kayvon Modjarrad, director of infectious diseases at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, told Defense One positive results from the first human trials of its COVID-19 vaccine are expected “within weeks.” Forbes
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WHO Says Vaccine Booster Programs Will Prolong COVID Crisis: "No Country Can Boost Its Way Out Of The Pandemic"
World Health Organization officials on Wednesday criticized blanket COVID-19 vaccine booster programs as poor countries struggle to obtain initial doses, warning that the unequal access to immunizations could lead to more mutated variants that drag out the crisis. “Blanket booster programs are likely to prolong the pandemic, rather than ending it, by diverting supply to countries that already have high levels of vaccination coverage, giving the virus more opportunity to spread and mutate,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said during a press briefing Wednesday. CNBC Read more
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Israel's COVID-19 Team Recommends 4th Shot For 60+, Medical Workers
The Pandemic Response team ruled on Tuesday night that anyone over the age of 60 and medical workers could receive a fourth shot of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine, the Health Ministry said. The shot will be available four months after receiving the third dose. In a statement, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett praised the committee for the move, which he said will “help us overcome the Omicron wave that is sweeping the world.” He noted that Israel was the first in the world to provide a third shot and will lead in giving the fourth shot too. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention already provides a fourth shot to immunocompromised people.
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State/National/International News |
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California To Require Booster Shots For Health Care Workers
Nearly all frontline health care workers in California must receive a COVID-19 booster shot by Feb. 1, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday, as part of an effort to make sure hospitals across the state are prepared to handle a surge in new cases brought on by the Omicron variant. During a press briefing at the Native American Health Center, Newsom said it was imperative for hospital workers to be fully protected against the new highly infectious variant and prevent further staffing shortages due to illness. KQED Read more
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State To Expand Student Testing As COVID-19 Case Rates Double Amid Omicron Wave
Amid a rapid spike in COVID-19 cases and intense pressure to expand testing capacity ahead of the winter holidays, California is ratcheting up its approach to tackle the quickly spreading Omicron variant. Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday that he will be sending out 6 million COVID-19 tests across the state for K-12 students returning from winter break, reaffirming his commitment to keeping schools open for in-person instruction in 2022. According to Newsom, that means that every K-12 student across the state should have free access to 1-2 tests before returning for the new semester next month. East Bay Times Read more
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Charts Show New York’s Dramatic Omicron Surge, And How California Compares
The first U.S. case of the highly infectious Omicron variant was identified in San Francisco, but New York has emerged as the nation’s first major omicron epicenter. As of Saturday, the variant is responsible for 92% of new infections in the New York area, according to state data, with cases already inching past the state’s pandemic high from last winter’s surge. Sunday was the fourth straight day the state broke its single daily record for coronavirus cases. In New York City, daily average cases already surged past that of spring 2020 and last winter’s. SF Chronicle Read more
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Unvaccinated Houston Man’s Death May Be First Attributed To Omicron In U.S.
An unvaccinated Houston-area man in his 50s is the first recorded fatality associated with the Omicron variant in the Texas county — and may be the first U.S. death publicly attributed to it. The man, who tested positive for the Omicron variant before his death, according to Harris County Public Health (HCPC), had previously been infected with the coronavirus and had underlying health conditions that made him particularly vulnerable. Washington Post Read more
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Omicron Variant Rockets to Dominance Across U.S.
The fast-spreading COVID-19 Omicron variant has rocketed to dominance over the highly contagious delta strain across much of the U.S., jumping from less than 13% of sequenced cases on Dec. 11 to more than 73% in a week’s time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Monday. It was unclear how fast Omicron has spread in California — the California Department of Public Health had not updated its variant tracking data and had no immediate comment Monday. But the rapid spread across the rest of the country alarmed infectious disease experts. East Bay Times
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"We Could Be Having A Million Cases A Day," Outgoing NIH Director Issues COVID Warning
One of the nation’s top doctors is warning that, with the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, the United States could soon see 1 million new coronavirus cases per day. National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Francis Collins, who is retiring after 12 years on the job, appeared on NPR’s “Weekend Edition” Sunday explaining that now is not the time for people to give up on protective measures. “I know people are tired of this,” the doctor said in the NPR interview. “I’m tired of it too, believe me. But the virus is not tired of us. It’s having a great old time changing its shape every couple of months, coming up with new variants and figuring out ways to be even more contagious.” KRON4 Read more
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Family Of Man Who Died Of COVID After Wife’s Work Exposure Can Sue The Company, Court Rules
The family of a man who died from COVID-19 that he caught from his wife, who was exposed at work, can sue her employer for damages, a state appeals court ruled Tuesday, saying household members are not bound by the limits placed on employees by California's workers' compensation law. Workers’ compensation repays employees, and their dependents, for financial losses caused by injuries or illnesses they suffered at work, but does not include damages for pain and suffering or emotional distress from the loss of a loved one. In Tuesday’s case, the Second District Court of Appeal in Los Angeles said an employer whose negligence injures or kills an employee can be sued by family members for any harm they suffered.
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European Nations Reinstate Restrictions
Germany and Portugal are among nations announcing post-Christmas curbs and greater social distancing measures. Omicron is already the dominant version in many European countries. Spain has reported its highest number of daily cases since the start of the pandemic and France has warned daily cases there could soon pass 100,000. French Health Minister Olivier Véran said the increase in daily infections in the country, currently at about 70,000, would be driven by the Omicron variant, which he said was likely to become the dominant variant by early January. The surge in cases across Europe will push health systems towards the brink of collapse, the World Health Organization's top official in the continent has warned. BBC Read more
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Mask-Wearing On Planes May Be Here To Stay, Fauci Says
Mask-wearing on planes may be here to stay, top federal infectious-disease expert Anthony S. Fauci says. In an interview on ABC News’s “This Week” on Sunday, he was asked if he believes there will be a point when it won’t be necessary to wear masks during air travel. “I don’t think so,” he said. “I think when you’re dealing with a closed space, even though the filtration is good, that you want to go that extra step.” Washington Post Read more
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48 Test Positive For COVID On World's Biggest Cruise Ship
Despite stringent measures supposed to keep ocean cruises COVID-free, operator Royal Caribbean says at least 48 people on board one of its ships that docked in Miami over the weekend have tested positive for the virus. The Symphony of the Seas, the world's biggest cruise ship, was carrying more than 6,000 passengers and crew on a week-long journey around the Caribbean when a guest tested positive, prompting wider contact tracing, according to Royal Caribbean. ABC7 News Read more
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NHL Not Going To Olympics Because Of COVID-19 Surge
The NHL and NHL Players' Association have come to an agreement to not participate in the 2022 Winter Olympic men's hockey tournament in Beijing. "The National Hockey League respects and admires the desire of NHL Players to represent their countries and participate in a 'best on best' tournament. Accordingly, we have waited as long as possible to make this decision while exploring every available option to enable our Players to participate in the 2022 Winter Olympic Games," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. ESPN Read more
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The Riddle Of Japan's Dramatic Drop In COVID Numbers
In mid-August, not long after the Tokyo Olympics had wrapped up, the situation in Japan looked grim to Dr. Hideaki Oka, an infectious disease expert at the Saitama Medical University Hospital outside Tokyo. As he treated COVID patients at his hospital, Japan was in the grip of a fifth wave of infections. New cases nationwide had surged to around 25,000 a day, and the country's medical system was being stretched to its limits. By late September, cases had plunged, and Oka is now getting a respite, of sorts. NPR Read more
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Total Confirmed Cases
Bay Area: 638,458
California: 5,241,413
U.S.: 51,452,831
Alameda County
Total Vaccines Administered: 3,069,084
Total Cases: 126,039
Total Deaths: 1,535
Test Positivity (7-day rate): 2.8%
Hospitalized Patients (as of 12/22): 80
ICU Beds Available (as of 12/22): 83
As of December 22, cases have increased recently and are very high. The numbers of hospitalized COVID patients and deaths in the Alameda County area have also risen. The test positivity rate in Alameda County is relatively low, suggesting that testing capacity is adequate for evaluating COVID-19 spread in the area. NY Times
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Total Reported Deaths
Bay Area: 6,935
California: 75,934
U.S.: 811,073
Contra Costa County
Total Vaccines Administered: 2,153,477
Total Cases: 104,691
Total Deaths: 1,069
Test Positivity (7-day rate): 3.4%
Hospitalized Patients (as of 12/22): 51
ICU Beds Available (as of 12/22): 37
As of December 22, cases have stayed about the same recently and are still very 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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Is That Sniffle A Cold? Or Is It COVID?
The symptoms of the common cold are typically a stuffy head, the sniffles and body aches. Now, this season, there’s a new one: panic. As the latest coronavirus variant races through recently reopened offices, holiday parties and family gatherings, signs of an ailment that was once an annoying winter perennial eased with bed rest and chicken soup now set minds racing. In New York City, the slightest sniffle has people canceling holiday plans and packing coronavirus testing centers, where in recent days lines have stretched for blocks. NY Times 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 227 new cases and 2.6 new deaths per day.
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Over the past week, Contra Costa County has averaged 144 new cases and 0.6 new death per day.
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Top 10 Locations of Cases in
Alameda County, cumulative
as of 12/22/21
Oakland: 39,267
Hayward: 17,879
Fremont: 11,422
Eden MAC: 7,773
San Leandro: 7,720
Livermore: 6,921
Berkeley: 5,599
Union City: 5,382
Castro Valley: 4,020
Newark: 3,728
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Top 10 Locations of Cases in
Contra Costa County, cumulative
as of 12/22/21
Richmond: 15,562
Antioch: 15,045
Concord: 11,708
Pittsburg: 9,786
San Pablo: 6,773
Brentwood: 6,690
Oakley: 5,595
Walnut Creek: 4,701
Bay Point: 3,922
San Ramon: 3,549
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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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