Weekly News From Los Alamos County
June 24, 2022
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Inside this newsletter, you will find...
The Epidemiology Corner - COVID-19 Update, Watch the community riefing,
New Mexicans six months and older now eligible for vaccines, Vaccine Clinic Coming, Survey & Results, COVID-19 data and more.
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COVID-19 Update
"...COVID-19 cases by age show
that all age groups contributed
to the elevated June case
incidence [in Los Alamos]...."
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Concerning BA.4/BA.5 Variants Expected to Predominate in US Within Weeks
For the week ending June 18, CDC estimates that Omicron variant BA.2.12.1 predominates in the US at 56% prevalence, but Omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5 continue to gain and are now estimated to account for 36% of cases nationwide. See HERE. Case numbers in the US have been stable at roughly 100,000 per day over the past five weeks, but health authorities expect cases to increase in areas where the more immune-evasive BA.4/BA.5 variants come to predominate. Laboratory studies continue to show that protective antibodies produced by vaccination or prior COVID-19 infection are markedly less effective at inactivating the BA.4/BA.5 variants compared to prior variants. See HERE.
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COVID-19 Incidence in the County: Reported Cases Now Declining from Early June Peak
Average daily reported COVID-19 cases in the county are currently in a declining trend following a peak in cases reported during early June. Based on CDC national data, it is presumed that Omicron variants BA.2.12.1 and BA.4/BA.5 accounted for the majority of cases in the county during May and June. The relative contribution of the BA.4/BA.5 variants is still unknown, however; and this creates uncertainty regarding the trajectory of the current incidence trend. Nearly six months have passed since the January BA.1 case surge, and waning immunity in county residents vaccinated or previously infected may continue to provide a reservoir of population susceptibility for the more immune-evasive BA.4/BA.5 variants. For more information on population immunity and COVID-19 variants, see the following June 6, 2022, article "Does any chance of herd immunity from COVID exist?" in NewsGP.
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All Ages Contributed to the Early June Elevated Case Incidence in the County
NMDOH data on reported COVID-19 cases by age show that all age groups contributed to the elevated June case incidence, including infants and young children, as well as the elderly. These data suggest widespread community transmission. Seniors are at particularly high risk of severe disease and hospitalization, and NMDOH recommends that all persons 65+ testing positive for COVID-19 receive oral anti-viral treatments within 5 days of symptoms or positive test results. See HERE.
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Comparison of Los Alamos to Neighboring Counties in Health Services Area (HSA)
Reported case incidence in Los Alamos County was similar to that in the three neighboring HSA counties (Taos, Santa Fe, Rio Arriba) for March through May 2022, but thereafter climbed to a roughly two-fold elevated level during early June. All four counties in the HSA saw a modest decline in case incidence for the week ending June 21, suggesting that the week ending June 14 may represent a possible peak in the current incidence trend. The HSA hospitalization rate continues to remain below 10 per 100,000, so the CDC Community Level for Los Alamos and the three other counties in the HSA remains at Medium Risk.
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Relationship of COVID-19 PCR Testing to Reported Case Incidence
A long-standing adage in the practice of public health disease surveillance is “the more you look the more you find”. This is particularly true for diseases like COVID-19, which involve a wide range of symptoms and severities, including many asymptomatic and very mild infections. New Mexico data for the week ending June 15 show there is a clear relationship between COVID-19 PCR testing rates and reported case incidence rates at the county level. Counties like Los Alamos, which have relatively high testing rates, generally have the highest case incidence rates. PCR testing rates in the four HSA counties for the week ending June 15 were highest in Los Alamos (3,304 per 100,00), followed by Santa Fe (2,431 per 100,000), Rio Arriba (2,129 per 100,000) and Taos (1,389 per 100,000) counties. County level data on use of at-home rapid antigen testing is not available, so the influence of this testing option cannot be evaluated here.
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NOTE: The COVID-19 incidence data reviewed here are based on PCR-confirmed testing results compiled by CDC and NMDOH and do not include data on positive at-home antigen tests. As such, case counts are likely underestimated, but by how much cannot be determined at any given time point.
To assist with more complete case monitoring in New Mexico, NMDOH provides for on-line reporting of positive at-home antigen results HERE.
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Community briefing on COVID-19 status
Los Alamos County officials hosted a virtual community briefing regarding the community’s COVID-19 status on Thursday, June 23, at 5:30 p.m. Panelists included:
- Epidemiologist Will Athas, PhD
- Los Alamos Deputy County Manager Linda Matteson,
- Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Guy, with the Los Alamos Public Schools
- Pediatrician Ben Neal, MD with the Children's Clinic
- Infection Prevention/Employee Health Nurse Joyce Richins with Los Alamos Medical Center
- Emergency Services Commander Beverley Simpson with Los Alamos County
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New Mexicans aged six months old and over are now eligible to receive their COVID-19 vaccine series
June 21, 2022 | NMDOH Press Room
The New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) announces young children aged six months through four years old are now eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccination, following approvals from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) this week.
Pre-ordered doses of Moderna (two-dose primary series) and Pfizer (three-dose primary series) vaccines began arriving in New Mexico on Monday to clinics throughout the state, with more than 2,200 appointments statewide currently available to schedule online through the Department of Health website: VaccineNM.org.
“After holding our collective breath for more than two years, we are thrilled to reach the milestone of vaccine eligibility for the littlest members of our families! As I’ve often said, vaccinating everyone provides the best defense against serious outcomes related to COVID-19.” said DOH Acting Cabinet Secretary Dr. David R. Scrase. “I am enormously relieved to offer my grandchildren this critical tool, and no doubt join so many others in celebrating this long-awaited day.”
Providers, including some pharmacies, are continually signing up and creating additional appointment availability as their requested vaccine allotment arrives. Approximately 5,000 to 7,500 vaccine doses are expected to arrive by June 27 with a steady flow to follow, ensuring a sufficient quantity for all who are eligible.
“In addition to protecting those in child care and pre-K settings, vaccines for children under age five will also benefit working parents, employers, and child care providers by lessening disruptions caused by classrooms that are forced to shut down due to close contacts,” said Early Childhood Education & Care Department Secretary Elizabeth Groginsky.
Changes in this age group’s vaccine roll-out include a shift from pharmacies to providers. While pharmacies performed the majority of COVID-19 vaccinations for the rest of the population, many don’t often serve younger age groups. Additionally, locations vary on which age groups they will vaccinate, with some accepting only children aged three and up. As a result, DOH estimates about 75% of the under-5 vaccines will be given by practitioners or primary care providers.
Parents and caregivers can register their children or dependents for vaccination by scheduling online at: VaccineNM.org and adding them to their own vaccine profile. Parents and caregivers can also call their provider/pharmacy to check for appointments. Vaccinations are free. No identification is required to be vaccinated, and vaccines are available to New Mexicans regardless of immigration status.
More information on COVID-19 testing, treatment, and resources is available at our website. For those without internet access, the hotline can be reached at: (855) 600-3453 (Option 3 for English, Option 9 for Spanish).
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How often should the County host briefings on COVID-19 with community members?
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Only when there is a surge
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Zero; they are not necessary
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Los Alamos County Testing Resources
Visit the County COVID Page for information regarding testing, click below:
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Los Alamos Vaccine & Booster Information |
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Vaccine/Booster Clinic Monday, June 27
Los Alamos County and Premier Medical Group will host a vaccine/booster clinic (Moderna, Pfizer and Pfizer 5-11 vaccines) for eligible recipients, including children as young as 5, on Monday, June 27 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Los Alamos, 2200 Diamond Drive. Individuals can schedule an appointment at https://vaccinenm.org.
Instructions on how to schedule an appointment are available on the Los Alamos County website or one can call the NM Department of Health at 1-855-600-3453 for assistance. While appointments are preferred, walk-ins are welcome. Insurance and identifications are not required.
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Los Alamos County Vaccine/Booster Resources
Visit the County COVID Page for information regarding vaccinations/boosters, click below:
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CDC COVID Data Tracker - June 16, 2022
To get today's break down of positive case data, demographics information, vaccine status and more for Los Alamos County or other counties across the United States, click HERE
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The charts available with this TOOL layout the key metrics for understanding the reach and severity of COVID-19 in a given area.
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Johns Hopkins
COVID-19 Status Report Dashboard for
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NMDOH Epidemiology Reports - Daily and Weekly Data
As part of the COVID-19 pandemic response, NMDOH collects and analyzes statewide data for COVID-19 positive cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. The reports reflect these critical data and are updated weekly - click HERE
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We are listening to you!
Your feedback is helping to shape future newsletters, inform decisions regarding services, and make Los Alamos County healthier and safer. Make sure to participate each week to be heard!
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Remember, we appreciate your questions! We always try to respond in a timely manner, and if appropriate, we will include those Q&As in future newsletters.
Take a look at these results from the last survey:
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