By Jondi Gumz
With infectious COVID-19 skyrocketing from 1,950 to 3,324 active cases in Santa Cruz County, public agencies and private operations downshifted to reduce the spread.
Omicron is the most easily transmitted, even for the vaccinated, but it has been not as deadly as the Delta variant in countries such as South Africa and the United Kingdom.
However, neither the state nor Santa Cruz County has a breakdown of variants — Delta vs Omicron — for people who are hospitalized and for people who have died.
The number of cases jumped in Santa Cruz County during the winter holidays, with 325 confirmed on Dec. 29, then 504 on Jan. 4, and 527 on Jan. 5, according to the county health dashboard. The increases come despite an indoor mask mandate ordered as of Nov. 22.
So far, 232 Santa Cruz County residents have died, with 79 percent having pre-existing conditions.
Rite Aid in Aptos is offering Covid Vaccine
In Santa Cruz County, the state reported 34 patients hospitalized with Covid, up from 18, including 2 in intensive care. It could be they entered the hospital with another condition or because of Covid ━ that data hasn’t been made available.
A week ago, before those figures came out, county health officials urged people with no symptoms or mild symptoms or some other not-serious illness to stay home rather than going to the emergency rooms.
Dr. David Ghilarducci, Santa Cruz County deputy health officer, advised those who have not vaccinated or “boosted” to get vaccinated now.
A study out of Denmark found a third dose provided “significant” protection against Omicron for those 60 and up.
For a list of test options see https://tinyurl.com/get-tested-santa-cruz
Staffing Shortages
National Nurses United planned a protest Jan 13 at hospitals around California to complain of staffing shortages.
Dignity Health issued a statement Jan. 12 in response acknowledging its California hospitals, including Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz “are experiencing a significant increase in COVID-19 patients as well as a critical staffing shortage. This is an extremely challenging situation, and we are doing everything we can to ensure our hospitals can continue to operate while also keeping our staff and our patients safe.”
The statement cited state health department guidelines (aligning with CDC guidelines) allowing hospital staff to work if they test positive for COVID-19, or have a close contact, and are asymptomatic (which means no symptoms).
“These guidelines will be implemented only if the hospital is facing a serious staffing shortage that would jeopardize its ability to provide care,” the statement read. “While we have not yet had to implement these guidelines, we may need to adopt this approach in the near future.
The statement continued, “We implore everyone in our communities to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 during this current surge by following public safety measures, wearing a mask, social distancing, and getting the COVID-19 vaccine and booster as soon as possible.”
Other strategies for the surge of patients may include: Limiting visitors, pausing elective surgeries, temporary closure of non-essential services, or implementing CDPH crisis staffing protocols. These decisions are being made on a facility-by-facility basis depending on their specific situation.”
Dignity Health added: “Individuals should not visit the emergency department if the symptoms of their illness are mild to moderate – including a cough, sore throat, runny nose, or body aches – or simply for the purpose of having a COVID-19 test administered and should instead consult an outpatient primary care provider.”
The case are split between Dominican Hospital and Watsonville Community Hospital, while filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on which trying to orchestrate a sale to a local consortium.
Impacts
Cabrillo College alerted faculty and students to shift to online classes in January through Feb. 22. Vaccination was already required for any class with an in-person component.
The Aptos Chamber of Commerce canceled the Jan. 19 in-person luncheon featuring county supervisor Zach Friend.
Ella’s at the Airport, the popular restaurant in Watsonville, closed briefly so owner Ella King could visit her parents in Texas during the holiday, but the shutdown was extended as employees reported positive coronavirus tests. Ella’s has since reopened.
The approach at the Pajaro Valley Unified School District was proactive staff prepped 19,000 rapid Covid-19 tests kits so students and teachers could begin in-person classes Jan.10 with peace of mind.
One Santa Cruz High basketball starter told Aptos Times he had Covid, and the games with Aptos boys and girls were rescheduled.
Santa Cruz County Actors’ Theatre, which puts on “8 Tens at 8,” switched from live shows to live-streaming.
The U.S. Supreme Court heard argument against a Jan. 10 mandate for employers with 100 or more workers to “vax or test” but hasn’t ruled. That order came from OSHA, the Occupational and Safety and Health Administration and was pushed by President Biden. The Court indicated one ore more opinions will be issued Jan. 13; this matter could be one of them.
A march is planned Jan. 23 in Washington, D.C., by people who want a choice on vaccination. Supporters include the Front Line Covid-19 Critical Care Alliance, Children’s Health Defense and the International Alliance of Physicians and Medical Scientists.
Testing
Testing is in high demand.
Students, staff and their families in the Pajaro Valley Unified School District can get tested Monday through Saturday: Here are the locations:
- Cabrillo College Parking Lot K — Park and get in line. Monday through Friday: 9 am – 5 pm. Saturdays: 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
- Santa Cruz County of Education Drive-Thru — 399 Encinal St., Santa Cruz, Monday through Friday: 2–5 p.m. Closed Saturday.
- Pajaro Valley Unified School District Drive-Thru — 294 Green Valley Rd, Watsonville, Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds — 2601 E Lake Ave., Watsonville, Thursday through Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
PVUSD staff have been planning for and distributing COVID-19 rapid antigen tests at the District Office and the new PVUSD Family Engagement and Wellness Center next to E.A. Hall Middle School in Watsonville.
These antigen tests provided by the California Department of Public Health and were picked up by Dr. Michelle Rodriguez, PVUSF superintendent of schools, from the Santa Cruz County Office of Education in the District’s textbook delivery van on Dec. 31.
With those test kits in hand, students and staff were able to pick them during Christmas break, giving more than 19,000 students and staff the opportunity to use their rapid antigen tests at home on Jan 9 to prepare for a safe return to in-person learning on Jan, 10.
Superintendent Rodriguez said, “PVUSD staff worked tirelessly to prepare for this important day as the education and public health sectors aligned once again during this pandemic in support of our community’s health and wellbeing.”
Safety measures will now include expanded days for the District Office Drive-Thru PCR testing, increased PPE access, continued access to booster shots for those who are eligible, and updates to masking guidance.
Over the past six days, approximately 3,000 members of the school community used the PVUSD District Office PCR Drive-Thru testing service to check their COVID-19 status., according to Pajaro Valley district officials.
Dr. Rodriguez said, “This volume of PCR testing speaks to our continued commitment to serve our community and our community’s deep interest in keeping themselves and each other healthy and safe.”
PVUSD will not only maintain access to site-level PCR testing for students and staff but will expand the Drive Thru testing to a daily service, Monday – Friday 9-5pm and Saturday 9-3pm at the District Office for the upcoming weeks.
As of Jan. 10, all PVUSD staff will have access to N95/KN95 masks at their school sites and departments.
Eligible PVUSD educational community members may continue to register for, make appointments and receive booster shots at the District Office.
PVUSD received confirmation that the state will soon deploy the KF94 masks for students ,which will be distributed once available in our county.
Until the district receive this protective equipment for students, Rodriguez said, “We will be encouraging all students (and families) to use at minimum cloth masks with three or more layers. For increased effectiveness surgical masks, double masking, fitted surgical masks, KN95 and KF94 have been determined to be more effective.”
There are also important CDPH updates to isolation guidance for those who test positive at this time. PVUSD asks the educational community to protect themselves and each other by following CDPH guidance with any student or staff member who tests positive quarantining at home for five days.
Additional information about testing, isolation guidance and masking is available in this letter from all Santa Cruz County Superintendents.
PVUSD is taking these proactive measures citing research showing in-person learning is best for students.
Boosters for Kids 12-15
On Jan. 6, California Department of Public Health announced that children ages 12-15 are now eligible to receive a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 booster at least 5 months after completing their two-dose primary vaccination series. In addition, a third dose is now available for certain immunocompromised children ages 5-11.
“With the highly transmissible omicron variant quickly taking over as the dominant strain, it is important to protect our youngest community members by getting a booster,” said Dr. Cal Gordon, Santa Cruz County deputy health officer.
Vaccinations are the number one tool for preventing hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19, according to health officials.
Booster shot appointments can be scheduled through https://myturn.ca.gov/ and are by checking with your local doctor and pharmacies. For a list of local COVID-19 vaccine providers, visit www.santacruzhealth.org/coronavirusvaccine.
Those needing assistance in scheduling an appointment can call the Community Bridges Helpline at 831-219-8607 or 831-440-3556 (English, Spanish, Mixteco and Triqui).
Those with immune-compromised children should talk with their healthcare provider.
For local information on COVID-19, including on where to tested, go to www.santacrushealth.org/coronavirus or call (831) 454-4242 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
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Total COVID cases: 25,651
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COVID Deaths: 232
As of Jan. 10
Age
85 and older: 98 • 75-84: 52 • 65-74: 43 • 60-64: 14 • 55-59: 3 • 45-54: 10 • 35-44: 7 • 25-34: 5
Underlying Conditions
Yes: 184 • No: 47 • Unknown: 1
Race
White 130 • Latinx 83 • Asian 16 • Black 1 • Amer Indian 1 • Unknown 1
Gender
Men: 119 • Women: 113
Location
At facility for aged: 108 • Not at a facility: 124