Receive update and consider any actions needed to support the COVID-19 response and recovery strategies. (No general fund impact) (Sullivan/ Sisson)

Receive update and consider any actions needed to support the COVID-19 response and recovery strategies.

COVID-19 transmission is increasing in Yolo County, as reflected by case rates, testing positivity, and levels of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in wastewater. The COVID-19 case rate in Yolo County on 5/17 was 21.2 per 100,000 per day, representing a 31% increase in a 7-day period. This case rate is greater than 14 and therefore constitutes High community transmission according to the CDC’s framework. Yolo County’s testing positivity has risen 43% in a 7-day period, increasing from 2.1 on 5/10 to 3.0 on 5/17. Wastewater levels of coronavirus are dynamic, but the overall trend has been an increase across most monitoring sites in Yolo County since late April.
 
Despite multiple indicators of wider community transmission, hospitalizations for COVID-19 in Yolo County remain low. On May 9, one patient was hospitalized in Yolo County for COVID-19. One week later, on May 16, there remains only one COVID-positive person in Yolo hospitals. This decoupling of hospitalizations from cases is similar to that seen in the winter Omicron wave and is likely due to widespread protection against severe disease in Yolo residents due to a combination of vaccination and prior infection. 
 
The current wave of infections is being caused by highly transmissible SARS-CoV-2 variants. According to data from the UC Davis Genome Center, 94% of cases in Yolo County are caused by BA.2 subvariants of Omicron. For the week of 5/8-5/14, nearly half (42%) of the BA.2 subvariants were the more transmissible BA.2.12 and BA.2.12.1.
 
The current High community transmission level serves as a reminder that COVID-19 has not gone away and that precautions are needed to protect against infection, transmission, and severe disease. Masking, vaccination, testing, and treatment remain important protective layers.

• Masks remain strongly recommended for all persons in indoor settings. High quality masks that fit well, like N95, KN95, and KF94 offer the best protection, and offer protection to the wearer even if others in a setting are unmasked. Removing a mask indoors to eat or drink can lead to COVID exposures; therefore, outdoor dining is preferable.
• Individuals are encouraged to stay up to date with vaccination against COVID-19. Persons 50 and older are recommended to receive a second booster beginning 4 months after their last dose, as are immunocompromised persons ages 12 and older. In early June, the FDA is expected to authorize vaccines for children under age 5. Boosters for children ages 5-11 were authorized by the FDA on May 16, but have not yet been recommended by the CDC and are not yet available in Yolo County.
• Testing is the only way to know whether a person has COVID-19, and is recommended for any person with symptoms, a recent exposure to someone who tested positive, or before/after participation in large gatherings.
• Effective treatments are available to prevent hospitalization in those at high risk of severe disease. Antivirals are no longer scarce, and are available by prescription at most retail pharmacies in Yolo County. Yolo County’s State-sponsored OptumServe site is now a test-to-treat site. Persons testing positive by rapid antigen test meet with a nurse and telehealth physician, and if eligible for Paxlovid, walk out the door with a 5-day supply of pills. The test-to-treat site is located at 2780 E. Gibson Road in Woodland, and is open Thursday-Sunday from 7am-7pm.

Many partners throughout the County and community.