Weekly News From Los Alamos County
July 1, 2022
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Inside this newsletter, you will find...
The Epidemiology Corner - COVID-19 Update, Upcoming Vaccine Clinics,
Los Alamos County Moves to HIGH, Survey & Results, COVID-19 data, and more.
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COVID-19 Update: County Transmission Rates Still High...
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Immune-Evasive BA.4/BA.5 Variants Now Predominate in U.S. and Globally
For the week ending June 25, CDC estimates Omicron variants BA.4/BA.5 predominate in the U.S. at 52% prevalence. Omicron variant BA.2.12.1 continues to decline in prevalence, now accounting for roughly 42% of cases nationwide. See HERE. Barring the emergence of new and more competitive SARS-CoV-2 variants, Omicron BA.4/BA.5 will likely account for most US cases within the next several weeks. Reported nationwide case numbers continue to average about 100,000 per day, but health authorities expect increases into the Fall as BA.4/BA.5 variants take complete hold, population immunity further wanes, and school and other indoor activities resume. Globally, COVID-19 cases are rising with rising BA.4/BA.5 prevalence, now estimated at 55%. See HERE. Laboratory studies continue to show protective antibodies produced by vaccination or prior COVID-19 infection are markedly less effective (by at least 3-fold) at inactivating the BA.4/BA.5 variants compared to prior variants. See HERE.
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COVID-19 Incidence in the County:
Community Transmission Rates Remain High
Average daily reported COVID-19 cases remain high despite a modest declining trend following the peak cases reported during early June. For the week ending June 29, an average of 15 cases per day were reported, which is about half the number of average daily cases reported earlier in 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 the current COVID-19 variants in circulation, see HERE.
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CDC Community-Level Risk is HIGH
For the week ending June 28, the CDC Community Level is HIGH for Los Alamos County and the three neighboring Health Services Area (HSA) counties (Taos, Santa Fe, Rio Arriba). Case incidence rates have been in a modest declining trend for several weeks, but are still well above the criteria threshold of 200 cases per 100,000; and rising hospitalization rates, which now exceed 10 new admissions per 100,000, place all four counties in the high-risk category. Hospitalization is considered a lagging indicator as it often takes 1-2 weeks before a person diagnosed with COVID-19 requires hospitalization. The CDC rationale for relying mainly on a hospitalization metric to establish Community Level public health recommendations is available HERE. Currently, ten out of 33 counties in New Mexico, comprising 65% of the state population, are classified by CDC as high-risk.
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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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New Guidance Posted as
Los Alamos Moves to "High"
As of June 30, 2022, the CDC has identified the COVID-19 Community Level for Los Alamos as "High" based on the number of hospitalizations in the Health Service Area, which includes Taos, Santa Fe, Rio Arriba, and Los Alamos Counties. As such, The CDC suggests individuals wear a mask indoors in public, stay up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccines, get tested if they have symptoms, and take additional precautions if required for people at high risk.
The good news is the County’s case numbers are on the decline. For all the latest data for Los Alamos County, scroll down to the COVID-19 Data section of this newsletter. For more information about CDC suggested measures for protection, click HERE.
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Stay Up-to-date with COVID-19 News, Recommendations, and Restrictions Using Reliable Information
When looking for current and accurate information about COVID-19, always use reliable sources. Here is a list of official sites and resources to stay informed about COVID-19 data, testing, vaccines, restrictions, news, and more:
Los Alamos County Resources:
National and International Resources:
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Los Alamos Vaccine & Booster Information |
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Two Vaccine Clinics for Children 6 Months to 5 Years Scheduled for July 11 and July 18
Los Alamos County and Premier Medical Group will host two vaccine clinics (Moderna and Pfizer vaccines) for children 6 months to the age of 5 on Monday, July 11, and Monday, July 18 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Mountain Elementary School in Los Alamos, 2280 North Road. Individuals can schedule an appointment at https://vaccinenm.org. Walk-ins welcome.
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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Do you plan on getting your child under the age of 5 vaccinated?
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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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Los Alamos Testing Information |
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Los Alamos County Testing Resources
Visit the County COVID Page for information regarding testing, click below:
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CDC COVID Data Tracker - July 1, 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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Have a question? Email us. |
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Click below to email us your feedback and questions!
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