LAKE COUNTY >> There may be a bully who just arrived here or may be arriving at any time that no one wants to stick around. As of yet, no one knows for sure. Almost two years after the first cases of COVID-19 were reported in China and one year after the first COVID-19 vaccines were authorized, omicron, a new, more transmissible variant first detected in South Africa in late November has usurped the delta variant on the world stage. By December 1, the first confirmed case of omicron in the United States was reported when a San Francisco man who had traveled to South Africa tested positive for the virus, and like the delta variant, first detected in India, has been classified by global health agencies as a “variant of concern.” By mid-December, omicron had been found in most of the states.
In his COVID update to the Lake County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, Acting Public Health Officer, Dr. Charlie Evans, said, “Omicron has been identified in Sonoma, Napa, and Marin, and it is likely, but not heard about, in Lake County. Most cases in Lake County are delta.” Data shows nationwide, from Dec. 12-18, 2021, delta accounted for 26.6% of the COVID cases, omicron accounted for 73.2%.
Summarizing data compiled by epidemiologist Sarah Marikos, Evans said, what is known is omicron is highly infectious, appearing to double every two days and to have growth advantage over delta. He added, “The severity of omicron is still not fully understood. It may have a similar severity as delta, but we need more data…The concern about omicron is its high infectivity and more vulnerable people (unvaccinated, vaccinated with waning immunity, those with previous infection) that could lead to illness, significant hospitalizations, and death. Omicron is displaying a reduction in immune protection from both prior infection and vaccines. Boosters in eligible people significantly reduce risk for waning immunity for symptomatic disease and hospitalizations.”
For the week ending Dec. 18, 2021: Among eligible Lake County residents age 5 and older, 36,100 or 60%, are fully vaccinated, 4,300 or 7% are partially vaccinated, and 20,050 or 33% are unvaccinated. Statewide, 23% of children age 5 to 11 have received at least one dose compared to 5% of Lake County children in the 5 to 11 age range. More than 9,000 area residents have received a booster shot, with 59% in the 65 and older age range, and 27% in the 50 to 64 age range.
Overall, COVID cases were down in November compared to the three previous months. Cases and test positivity increased after Thanksgiving, declined slightly, and is increasing again. The number of deaths totaled 11 since October 1, down significantly from 43 deaths in the combined months of July, August, and September. As high as 70% of Lake County deaths have been among seniors.
Evans’ report indicates that while the county has a lower daily case rate now, projections expect significant increases in cases in the next few weeks. Compared to the state, Lake County is at higher risk for poor outcomes because it has a lower vaccination rate overall, and a lower booster rate among eligible adults.
Evans warned that flu season is here. “The flu is out there,” he said. “Last year, we didn’t see any flu. We are today.”
At the start of his presentation, Evans commented: “We’re two years into the pandemic and everyone is sick of it … and we all just want things to return to normal.” He ended his presentation by saying, “Vax, mask, test, and use common sense.”
