SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The holiday season usually means many people gathering together. It's something health officials are watching closely as they're seeing a rise in respiratory virus activity.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says respiratory illnesses are rising in a handful of states, including California, resulting in more Influenza and COVID-19 emergency room visits.
“I have friends and family, currently suffering from COVID,” said Ron Johnson, a Sacramento Resident.
Johnson took a walk to get fresh air and is keeping his distance from those who are sick.
“People need to understand that it's real, and it is going to continue to be real if we do not take our precautions and keep our distance,” said Johnson.
Recent data from the CDC shows Inyo, Mono, El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo counties have medium levels of coronavirus-related hospital admissions. It is based on COVID-19 hospital admissions per 100,000 people collected in the past week.
Yolo County Health officials are encouraging residents to wear a face mask and get up to date on vaccines against respiratory illnesses.
“We are still seeing circulation of all three of those viruses right now, COVID-19, Influenza and RSV,” said Dr. Aimee Sisson, Yolo County Health Officer. In wastewater in Yolo County, our influenza levels are low, but the California Department of Public Health has our region at moderate flu transmission right now. We are really seeing in wastewater is RSV and COVID-19.”
Sisson says WastewaterSCAN reports that SARS-CoV-2 and RSV levels in Yolo County are at their highest since last winter’s surge. At the same time, influenza activity is rising statewide and is currently moderate in Yolo County.
While COVID-19 numbers are not near the highs during peak pandemic, health officials worry about the upswing. They're now asking people to wear face masks, get updated vaccines, improve ventilation in homes and wash hands frequently.
“I think that is the challenge that we have right now, everybody has COVID fatigue,” said Sisson. “We have been in a pandemic since 2020. It has been almost four years that we have been dealing with this virus and everybody wants to move on and understandably so. However, this virus COVID-19 has not gone away, and it continues to cause disease, it continues to cause hospitalizations and it continues to cause death.”
Officials are emphasizing the crucial need for precautionary measures as the winter season is upon us.
"If you know you are sick, stay home,” said Johnson. “If you know anybody that is sick, try to look out for them from afar. Let us all get through this.”
Antigen tests for COVID-19 are widely available at retail pharmacies and covered by insurance with no cost-sharing in-network. Free COVID-19 antigen tests and masks are accessible in vending machines at the following locations:
- Davis: Mary L. Stephens Library, 315 E. 14th St
- Esparto: Regional Library, 17065 Yolo Ave
- West Sacramento (Temporarily unavailable): HHSA Campus, 500 Jefferson Blvd
- Winters: City Hall, 318 1st St
- Woodland (Temporarily unavailable): La Superior Market, 34 W. Court St
If you test positive for COVID-19 and have symptoms, talk to a healthcare provider about antiviral treatments to prevent severe disease and recover faster. Individuals without timely access to a healthcare provider can utilize free virtual COVID-19 telehealth services and medications through Sesame Care by calling 833-686-5051 or visiting their website HERE. Anyone seeking guidance on locally available resources for COVID-19 support, including testing, vaccination, or other assistance programs, should call 211.
Those looking for free at-home COVID-19 tests can find more information HERE.
