Weekly News From Los Alamos County
September 23, 2022
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Inside this newsletter, you will find...
The Epidemiology Corner - COVID-19 Update, Omicron Booster Clinic Oct 3,
Mix & Matching Vaccine Brands, Resting With COVID,
Survey & Results, COVID-19 data, and more.
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COVID-19 Update: County Transmision Rates Trend Towards Recent Lows But Fall/Winter Concerns Emerge...
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Nationwide Hospitalizations Continue Gradual Declining Trend But New Concerning Variants on the Horizon
For the week ending September 17, CDC estimates that Omicron variant BA.5 accounts for 85% of US cases nationwide but is slowly declining and being out-competed by other variants. The BA.4.6 variant, which has been emerging since late June, continues to slowly increase and now accounts for just over 10% of cases nationwide. See HERE CDC is also now separately tracking two new Omicron variants of concern: BF.7 and BA.2.75. BF.7 is a subvariant of BA.5 which has been spreading in Western Europe, accounting for 25% of cases in Belgium and 10% in France, Germany, and Denmark. In the US, BF.7 was first detected this past summer and currently accounts for 1.7% of cases See HERE The BA.2.75 variant was also first detected this past summer and now accounts for 1.3% of US cases, which includes cases involving a highly concerning subvariant BA.2.75.2. Recent laboratory studies have suggested this subvariant is 5-fold more effective at evading neutralizing antibodies compared to the dominant BA.5 variant. This raises concern it will outcompete other variants due to a greatly enhanced resistance to infection-fighting antibodies within populations. See HERE Neither of the emergent Omicron subvariants appears to cause more severe disease than previous variants, and CDC data continue to show that up-to-date vaccination, including two boosters, is highly effectively at reducing Omicron severe disease and mortality, particularly among older persons. See HERE
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COVID-19 in the County: Declining Trends in Transmission and ED Visits Remains Intact
An average of 2 cases per day were reported for the week ending September 21, which reflects a continuing slow declining trend in reported case numbers. The current level of transmission still remains about 2-fold higher than the average of one reported case per day during the near-term low seen in March-April 2022. According to the NMDOH, 1.2% of all ED visits for the two weeks ending September 20 were for COVID-like illness compared to 1.8% for the two-week period ending September 13. The declining impact of COVID-19 on emergency medical services is consistent with declining community transmission rates. COVID-like illness includes ED encounters with chief complaint consisting of fever and cough, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing, while also including COVID-19 associated discharge diagnoses codes. See HERE
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Wastewater Surveillance Continues to Detect SARS-CoV-2 Virus with Only BA.5 Variant Identified
Virus continues to be detected in county municipal wastewater as of September 14. The CDC contractor Biobot has not as yet provided a weekly update to their virus concentration data for the current week. For the week of August 31, Biobot reports that genetic sequencing had detected various Omicron variants in county wastewater, including BA.5 (55.3%), BA.4 (27.5%) BA.2* (14.3%, including BA.12/BA.2.12.1) and other variants (2.9%). See https://biobot.io/data/
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CDC Community Level Remains at LOW and But COVID-19 Hospitalizations Not Declining
For the week ending September 20, the CDC Community Level remains at LOW. New COVID-19 hospital admissions per 100,000 rose slightly to 4.6 compared to the prior week rate of 3.7 per 100,000, indicating that severe disease continues to occur at modest levels in the 4-county Health Services Area (HSA) population. Two of three neighboring counties in the HSA (Santa Fe and Taos) are continuing their declining trends in transmission coincident with Los Alamos, however, Rio Arriba county has broken trend, with transmission rates rising modestly from the near-term low seen in the week ending August 30.
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County Seniors Continue to Experience Apparent Disproportionate Impacts
According to NMDOH, no reportable cases have occurred in youth 5-19 years within the first 19 days of September. Among seniors, the disproportionately high case transmission seen in August appears to be continuing in September. Whether this reflects true disease occurrence patterns or simply a greater likelihood for seniors to be PCR-tested is unclear. The advent of at-home rapid antigen testing, which is non-reportable, has placed challenging limitations on the interpretation of COVID-19 incidence statistics, particularly when unexpected patterns as seen here occur. Virus transmission is undoubtedly occurring in county seniors, and current CDC vaccination data indicate that 95% of residents 65+ years have received their first two primary doses, but of these, only 83% have received a first booster dose, and of these, only 66% have received two boosters. CDC vaccine effectiveness data for July 2022 indicate that unvaccinated persons 50 years and older were 12-times more likely to die of COVID-19 than those vaccinated with two boosters. Having two boosters rather than just one reduced COVID-10 mortality by 50%. See https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#rates-by-vaccine-status
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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 how much cannot be determined at any given time point.
To assist with more complete case monitoring in New Mexico, NMDOH provides for online reporting of positive at-home antigen results HERE.
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Moderna vs Pfizer: Is it OK to mix and match the updated COVID-19 booster shots?
As residents prepare to roll up their sleeves for a third, fourth or even fifth dose of COVID-19 vaccine, some may be wondering: Do I need to stick with the same brand, or is it safe to mix it up?
You can get either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna version, regardless of which offering you previously received.
“The best booster for you is the one that you can get — either the Pfizer or the Moderna can be used, and they can be mixed or matched,” said Dr. Robert Kim-Farley, epidemiologist and infectious disease expert at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health.
Mixing and matching
Say a person has received three doses of the Moderna shot. Should they stay with Moderna or mix it up with a Pfizer booster?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration actually allowed mixing and matching of COVID-19 booster doses starting last year, after it allowed people to get their first booster dose. Despite having the choice, though, a lot of people ended up staying brand loyal.
But others switched it up, either as a matter of preference, availability or recommendation. Many of those who initially received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, for instance, opted for Pfizer or Moderna come booster time.
What is next
The updated Omicron bivalent booster shot is available to those age 12 and up. Adults can choose from either Pfizer or Moderna; adolescents age 12 to 17 are only eligible for Pfizer.
Officials are urging people to get the updated booster, which they expect will reduce the risk of infection. It’s called a bivalent shot because it’s designed to protect not only against the original coronavirus strain, but also the latest Omicron subvariants that have dominated the nation this summer, including BA.5.
Read the full article HERE.
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Do you plan to stay with the brand of vaccine you originally received or do you mix and match?
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I will only receive Moderna.
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I will only receive Pfizer.
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I received Johnson & Johnson and must mix and match.
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I will get what is available.
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I don't plan to receive another vaccination/booster.
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Why You Should Rest—a Lot—If You Have COVID-19
Until recently, running was a major part of Emma Zimmerman’s life. The 26-year-old freelance journalist and graduate student was a competitive distance runner in college and, even after she graduated, logged about 50 miles per week. So she tentatively tried to return to her running routine roughly a week after a probable case of COVID-19 in March, doing her best to overcome the malaise that followed her initial allergy-like symptoms. Each time, though, “I’d be stuck in bed for days with a severe level of crippling fatigue,” Zimmerman says.
Months later, Zimmerman still experiences health issues including exhaustion, migraines, brain fog, nausea, numbness, and sensitivity to screens—a constellation of symptoms that led doctors to diagnose her with Long COVID. Though she can’t know for sure, she fears those workouts early in her recovery process may have worsened her condition.
“I had no idea that I should try to rest as hard as I needed to rest,” she says.
Stories like Zimmernan’s—illness, improvement, exercise, crash—are common in the Long COVID world. And they highlight what many researchers, patients, and advocates say is one of the most powerful tools for managing, and potentially even preventing, Long COVID.
The only guaranteed way to avoid Long COVID is not to get infected by SARS-CoV-2. But if someone does get sick, “Rest is incredibly important to give your body and your immune system a chance to fight off the acute infection,” says Dr. Janna Friedly, a post-COVID rehabilitation specialist at the University of Washington who recovered from Long COVID herself. “People are sort of fighting through it and thinking it’ll go away in a few days and they’ll get better, and that doesn’t really work with COVID.”
Researchers are still learning a lot about Long COVID, so it’s impossible to say for sure whether rest can truly prevent its development—or, conversely, whether premature activity causes complications. But anecdotally, Friedly says many of the Long COVID patients she sees are working women with families who rushed to get back to normal as soon as possible. It’s hard to give one-size-fits-all guidance about how much rest is enough, but Friedly recommends anyone recovering from COVID-19 stay away from high-intensity exercise for at least a couple weeks and avoid pushing through fatigue.
For people who have already developed Long COVID, rest can also be useful for managing symptoms including fatigue and post-exertional malaise (PEM), or crashes following physical, mental, or emotional exertion. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends “pacing,” an activity-management strategy that involves rationing out activity and interspersing it with rest to avoid overexertion and worsening symptoms.
To pace effectively, people must learn to pick up on cues that they’re overdoing it and unlearn ingrained ideas about productivity, [explains Jaime Seltzer, director of scientific and medical outreach at the advocacy group MEAction]. “If you’re doing laundry, for example, there’s nothing that says you have to fold every single item in one sitting,” she says. Breaking up tasks may feel odd, but it can be crucial for preserving energy.
People with new Long COVID symptoms should keep a log of their diet, activity, sleep, and symptoms for a couple weeks to learn their triggers, Friedly says. For those who can afford one, a fitness tracker or other wearable can also be helpful for assessing how much exertion is too much, Seltzer says. Once someone has an idea of behaviors that improve or worsen symptoms, they can use that information to plan their days and divide activities into manageable chunks.
For many people who test positive for COVID-19, however, even taking a few days off from work to isolate is a financial and logistical challenge. Many people have no choice but to return to physically taxing work or responsibilities like child care as soon as possible. “Rest is absolutely advice that’s weighted socioeconomically and politically,” Seltzer says.
People with Long COVID or ME/CFS may be able to secure workplace accommodations, such as working from home, taking on a role that can be done sitting instead of standing, or applying for disability if necessary. Seltzer also suggests leaning on friends, faith groups, or mutual aid networks for help with some tasks. Beyond that, Friedly recommends looking for creative ways to use less energy throughout the day.
Read the full article HERE.
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Should masks return in fall and winter to prevent a COVID surge?
Most state and local mask mandates have been lifted.
As the United States heads into the fall and winter, questions are arising about whether the return of masks is needed to stem a potential COVID-19 surge.
Evidence has shown COVID cases and hospitalizations tend to rise during the colder months when people congregate indoors. Some health officials warn the virus could surge again in December and January.
Those who are vaccinated and boosted are at much lower risk of falling severely ill and dying from COVID-19. CDC data shows unvaccinated Americans have a five times higher risk of dying compared to those who've received just a primary series and a seven times higher risk of dying compared to those who also received at least one booster dose.
Experts told ABC News that while vaccination is the best protection against COVID-19, some people may need to consider masking to protect themselves in case infections rise.
Dr. Shira Doron, an infectious disease physician and hospital epidemiologist at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, told ABC News that masks have helped reduce COVID transmission in health care settings.
However, experts admitted it will be hard to convince Americans to wear masks again after so many cities and states have done away with mandates.
Los Angeles, San Francisco and Denver remain the three biggest cities in the U.S. where masks are still required on public transit. In most cities, only health care environments still require mask mandates.
In the absence of mask mandates, the experts said people may need to assess their individual risk level and decide if wearing a mask will help protect themselves and those around them.
Dr. Thomas Murray, an associate professor of pediatrics at Yale School of Medicine, said assessing the risk level also applies to kids in school, where many mask mandates have been lifted.
He said if schools don't reimplement masking, other strategies "become critically important" for children, such as screening, testing and keeping them home if they have symptoms.
However, not all masks are created equally. For those who plan to keep wearing masks or choose to start wearing them again heading into the colder months, the experts recommend wearing a high-quality mask.
Read the full article HERE.
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Los Alamos Vaccine & Booster Information |
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COVID-19 bivalent Omicron booster clinics Oct 3
In conjunction with Los Alamos County, Premier Medical Group (PMG) is holding a COVID-19 bivalent Omicron booster clinic scheduled for Monday, October 3, to include all eligible individuals, ages 12 years and up. On the same day, Health Commons Public Health Office is holding a COVID-19 primary and bivalent Omicron booster clinic for all eligible individuals ages 6 months and up.
PMG will administer Pfizer Omicron booster vaccines between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, 2200 Diamond Dr., Los Alamos. Insurance and identification are not required. While walk-ins are accepted, appointments are preferred (see link below).
Health Commons will administer Pfizer primary and Omicron booster vaccines between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. at their office, 1183 Diamond Dr., Unit D, Los Alamos. Individuals must make an appointment (see link below) and bring their identification and vaccine card.
Visit the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) vaccine webpage to schedule an appointment. After logging into the appropriate NMDOH profile to make an appointment, individuals are advised to select "schedule an appointment," enter "Los Alamos," and select either "First Baptist Church" for the PMG clinic, or “Santa Fe Public Health Office – Los Alamos Public Health Office” for the Health Commons clinic by clicking on the map. (No event code is needed).
For those encountering problems scheduling an appointment, NMDOH is available any day of the week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 1-855-600-3453 to assist. In addition, the Los Alamos Public Health Office is available at 505-662-4038 to help individuals schedule appointments.
Visit the CDC website to see how you can stay up-to-date with your COVID-19 vaccine.
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How do I know if I'm eligible for a vaccine or booster?
Follow these links to review the CDC eligibility guidelines:
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Los Alamos County COVID Vaccine/Booster Resources
Visit the County COVID Page for information regarding vaccinations/boosters, click below:
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CDC COVID Data Tracker - September 23, 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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Johns Hopkins Testing Data Ends
The CRC is ending its collection and reporting of testing results data and test positivity rates. Existing graphics and information on the website will remain visible but static. Testing data has been problematic for some time in large part because at-home COVID tests have lessened the utility of official state testing results.
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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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Have a question? Email us. |
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Los Alamos Treatment Information |
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Los Alamos County COVID Treatment Resources
Visit the County COVID Page for information regarding treatments, click below:
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Los Alamos Testing Information |
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Los Alamos County COVID Testing Resources
Visit the County COVID Page for information regarding testing, click below:
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What else would you like to see in this newsletter?
Click below to email us your feedback and questions!
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