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Even though Omicron has yet to have a substantial impact here in the United States we've been watching a steady increase in Delta across many states - particularly in the northern and western part of the country - for more than a month (see More U.S. Hospitals Inch Towards Invoking Crisis Standards of Care).
With the exception of the deep south - which saw a major COVID wave in September - and parts of Northern California and parts of the west, nearly the entire continental United States is currently reporting high community rates of transmission (data through Dec 6th).
Yesterday the California Department of Public Health announced a steep (47%) increase in COVID cases since the Thanksgiving Holidays - and with the dual threats of Omicron and Influenza knocking at the door - has announced the reinstatement of universal indoor masking rules.
CDPH Requires Masking for All Public Indoor Settings to Slow the Spread of COVID-19 In Response to Increasing Case Rates and Hospitalizations
Date: December 13, 2021
Number: NR21-352
Contact: CDPHpress@cdph.ca.gov
With case rates increasing 47% since Thanksgiving, the California Department of Public Health will require universal masking to increase protection to individuals, families, and communities during the holidays.
SACRAMENTO –The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) continues to monitor COVID-19 data in order to protect the health and well-being of all Californians. Since Thanksgiving, the statewide seven-day average case rate has increased by almost half (47%) and hospitalizations have increased by 14%. In response to the increase in cases and hospitalizations, and to slow the spread of both Delta and the highly transmissible Omicron variant, CDPH has issued updated guidance to curb the spread of COVID-19 and its variants.
Beginning December 15, CDPH will require masks to be worn in all indoor public settings irrespective of vaccine status through January 15, 2022, at which point California will make further recommendations as needed in response to the pandemic.
Additionally, CDPH updated requirements for attending mega events, like concerts and sporting events. Prior to attending an event, attendees will now require either proof of vaccination, a negative antigen COVID-19 test within one day of the event, or a negative PCR test within two days of the event.
CDPH also issued a new travel advisory effective immediately to recommend that all travelers arriving in California test for COVID-19 within three to five days after arrival, regardless of their vaccination status.
"Our collective actions can save lives this holiday season. We are already seeing a higher level of transmission this winter and it is important to act now to prevent overwhelming our busy hospitals so we can provide quality health care to all Californians. All Californians should get vaccinated and receive their booster. Getting your whole family up to date on vaccination is the most important action you can take to get through the pandemic and to protect yourself from serious impacts from the virus and its variants. Testing and masking remain important tools in slowing the spread," said Dr. Tomás J. Aragón, CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer.
"Starting Wednesday, California will require masking in all public indoor places during the holiday season regardless of vaccination status. Attendees of large events will be required to show either proof of vaccination, a negative antigen COVID-19 test within one day of the event, or a negative PCR test within two days of the event. Additionally, California has issued a travel alert to recommend that all travelers get tested within three to five days of their arrival in California. Vaccines and these temporary measures will allow friends and families to safely spend the holidays together and will add critical layers of protection to keep people safe."
Statewide COVID-19 Data
Today, the California Department of Public Health(CDPH) released the most recent statistics on COVID-19 and updates on the state's pandemic response. The most up to date data is available on the state's COVID-19 data dashboard.
Cases, hospitalizations, and deaths are largely occurring among unvaccinated populations. See the data for unvaccinated and vaccinated cases, hospitalizations and deaths.
Unvaccinated people were 7.1 times more likely to get COVID-19 (data from November 21, 2021 to November 27, 2021 ).
Unvaccinated people were 12.5 times more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 (data from November 14, 2021 to November 20, 2021).
Unvaccinated people were 13.0 times more likely to die from COVID-19 (data from November 7, 2021 to November 13, 2021).
Vaccinations
Cases
- 61,315,927 total vaccines administered.
- 77.7% of the eligible population (5+) has been vaccinated with at least one dose.
- 210,409 people a day are receiving COVID-19 vaccination (average daily dose count over 7 days).
Testing
- California has 4,886,509 confirmed cases to date.
- Today's average case count is 5,825 (average daily case count over 7 days).
Hospitalizations
- The testing positivity rate is 2.2 % (average rate over 7 days).
Deaths
- There are 3,804 hospitalizations statewide.
- There are 967 ICU patients statewide.
- There have been 74,685 COVID-19 deaths since the start of the pandemic.
- COVID-19 claims the lives of 51 Californians each day (average daily death count over 7 days).
The CPHD also published the following update on Omicron, which indicates only 2 dozen cases have been identified to date in California. This is undoubtedly a major undercount, but for now, Delta remains the biggest COVID threat in the United States.
Omicron Variant
The recent emergence of the Omicron variant emphasizes the importance of getting a vaccine, booster, and taking prevention efforts needed to protect against COVID-19. As of December 12, 2021, 24 confirmed cases associated with the Omicron variant have been reported to the state. This number will be updated weekly with the other variants California is currently monitoring on the CDPH Tracking Variants webpage. For more information about the Omicron variant, see the Omicron variant fact sheet.
While there were hopes raised a few months ago that we might avoid another winter of COVID (see NPR Is The Worst Over? Modelers Predict A Steady Decline In COVID Cases Through March), the reality is we aren't in control of when this pandemic ends, the virus is.
And while that day will come, it isn't here yet.
