ALAMEDA, Calif. — Gov. Gavin Newsom spoke Wednesday about new coronavirus booster requirements in California and expanded testing for students in the state.
As of Wednesday morning, 78.6% of eligible Californians have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The state is administering, on average, 188,120 doses of the vaccine each day, according to the Governor's Office.
Tests for students
The state will provide one to two rapid COVID tests for each K-12 public school student returning from winter break. Newsom said that the state will order six million tests to be provided to health and education partners to give to students for free.
Newsom said the free tests are part of his goal to keep schools open in the state.
Boosters for health care workers
All health care workers and employees in "high-risk congregate settings," such as nursing homes, will now be required to receive a booster shot of the COVID vaccine by Feb. 1, 2022.
Until healthcare staff members receive their booster shot, they will be required to be tested for COVID-19 twice each week. Newsom said the decision is to prevent staffing shortages.
"We recognize now that just being vaccinated, fully vaccinated, is not enough with this new variant," said Newsom during Wednesday's press conference.
According to Newsom, the state has contracted with 1,700 staff members to help hospitals with staffing as they prepare for an increase in COVID cases. He said they have also secured 5,000 more people who could help if a significant increase happens.
Omicron variant surges
The announcement from the governor comes as Sacramento County confirmed the first cases of the omicron variant in the county. One of the patients was unvaccinated while another was vaccinated, according to the department of public health.
Samantha Mott, a spokesperson for Sacramento County Public Health, said more cases are expected to pop up.
"We do anticipate more will pop up. This has shown to be a very contagious variant," Mott said.
Omicron is now the dominant version of the coronavirus in the country, according to federal health officials.
As the virus spreads, health experts have said the best way to stay healthy is to get vaccinated, receive booster shots, get tested and wear masks while indoors. California residents can visit the state's My Turn website to schedule an appointment to receive a vaccine or booster.
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