The Los Angeles Post

CDPH’s Top 5 Tips to Protect Against Winter Viruses

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SACRAMENTO – 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.

Statewide COVID-19 Data

Rates of cases, hospitalizations and deaths are highest among unvaccinated individuals and lowest among boosted individuals. This is true for all age groups. See additional data for unvaccinated and vaccinated cases, hospitalizations, and deaths.

Vaccinations

  • 85,632,857 total vaccines administered.
  • 72.4% of the population has been vaccinated with a primary series.
  • 37,481 people a day are receiving COVID-19 vaccination (average daily dose count over 7 days).

 

Cases

  • California has 10,651,573 confirmed cases to date.
  • Today’s average case count is 5,446 (average daily case count over 7 days).
  • During October 2022, unvaccinated people were 2.2 times more likely to get COVID-19 than people who were vaccinated with at least a primary series.

 

Testing

  • The testing positivity rate is 10.8% (average rate over 7 days).

Hospitalizations

  • There are 3,793 hospitalizations statewide.
  • There are 408 ICU patients statewide.
  • During October 2022, unvaccinated people were 2.4 times more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 than people who were vaccinated with at least a primary series.

 

Deaths

  • There have been 96,803 COVID-19 deaths since the start of the pandemic.
  • COVID-19 claims the lives of 14 Californians each day (average daily death count over 7 days).
  • During October 2022, unvaccinated people were 3.1 times more likely to die from COVID-19 than people who were vaccinated with at least a primary series.

 

Top 5 Tips to Protect Against Winter Viruses

In case you missed it in an earlier release, public health officials are reminding Californians to take simple and effective steps to protect themselves and their families against the winter viruses currently spreading across the state, including COVID-19, the flu, and RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus). RSV has led to an increase in hospitalizations of children across the stay, and slowing the spread is critical as we enter the end of year holidays.

Follow these five simple tips to protect against winter viruses:

  • Get Vaccinated, Boosted (and Treated)
    Flu shots and COVID-19 vaccines and boosters continue to be your best defense to limit severe illness and death – and you can get both at the same time.

  • Stay Home if You’re Sick, and Test for COVID
    Staying home when you’re sick slows the spread of flu, RSV and COVID-19. If you’re sick, remember to test for COVID and contact your doctor immediately if you’re positive to discuss treatment options. Treatments work best when started right after symptoms begin.

  • Wear a Mask 
    There is no vaccine for RSV, so wearing a mask can significantly slow the spread and protect babies and young children who do not yet have immunity and are too young to wear a mask themselves. Wearing a mask in indoor public places is a good way to limit the spread of germs.

  • Wash Your Hands
    Frequent handwashing, with soap and warm water – for at least 20 seconds, is an easy and effective way to prevent getting sick and spreading germs.

  • Cover Your Cough or Sneeze
    Remember to cough or sneeze into your elbow, your arm, or a disposable tissue to help prevent the spread of winter viruses. Just make sure to wash your hands or sanitize and dispose of your tissue after.

 

Slow the Spread: Get Vaccinated and Boosted for COVID-19

The risk for COVID-19 exposure and infection continues as a number of Californians remain unvaccinated and unboosted.

Real-world evidence continues to show that the vaccine prevents severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Public health officials urge Californians to get vaccinated and boosted as soon as they are eligible.

It is recommended that every individual six months of age and older receive their primary COVID-19 vaccine series and booster dose, if eligible.

Find a vaccine near you by visiting myturn.ca.gov or calling 1-833-422-4255. The consent of a parent or legal guardian may be needed for those under age 18 to receive a vaccination. Visit Vaccinate All 58 to learn more about the safe and effective vaccines available for all Californians six months of age and older.

If you have COVID-19 symptoms, get tested immediately and talk to a health care provider right away if you test positive to learn if you qualify for treatment. You can also find Test to Treat locations that offer COVID-19 testing and free treatment. If you are uninsured, you can access testing and treatment services for free at OptumServe Test to Treat locations.

Your Actions Save Lives

Protect yourself, family, friends and community by following these prevention measures:

  • Wear A Mask: California’s COVID-19 mask guidance aligns with CDC COVID-19 Community Levels. Know your community level to evaluate risk and inform your decision on when to mask. Local policies may go beyond state requirements based on local conditions. Masking is also recommended to protect yourselves and your loved ones from the spread of other winter viruses when they are circulating widely, including flu and RSV.

  • Upgrade Your Mask: Good fit and filtration continue to be the best way to get the most out of your mask. The best masks for preventing COVID-19 include the N95, KN95 and KF94. If you don’t have access to one of these masks, wear a surgical mask or a surgical mask with a cloth mask on top. If you choose a fabric mask, opt for one with three or more cloth layers. No matter what kind of mask you wear, check the fit by avoiding gaps above the nose or on the sides.

  • My Vaccine Record is an easy way to show vaccination status at venues or businesses that require proof of vaccination. Visit myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov today to get your vaccine record.

 

  • Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

 

  • Travel Tips: Do not travel if you are sick or have tested positive for COVID-19. Make sure you are up to date on your COVID-19 and other vaccines before travel (both domestic and international). See the CDC’s full travel guidance.

  • Add Your Phone to the Fight: Sign up for COVID-19 exposure notifications from CA Notify. Also, individuals who test positive for COVID-19 – including those who test at home – are able to alert others of a potential exposure more quickly and conveniently. Individuals can now initiate the notification process as soon as they are aware of their positive test result. For more information, please visit the “Notify Others” page on CA Notify.

 

  • Sign-Up for COVID-19 Policy Alerts: COVID-19 Policy Alerts provide up-to-date information regarding CDPH COVID-19 guidance and policy, including changes to orders, mandatory guidance and more. Registrants will receive prompt email alerts to updated guidance and policy available on our website as well as accompanying translations. Sign-up for the COVID-19 Policy Alerts emails today.

 

  • Check with your local health department about local conditions. Local health departments may have policies that are stricter than state guidance.

 

Tracking COVID-19 in California

 

Recommendations for a Healthy 2022-23 School Year

Health Care Workers

  • As of November 29, local health departments have reported 184,555 confirmed positive cases in health care workers and 595 deaths statewide.

Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C)

  • As of November 14, there have been 1,036 cases of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) reported statewide. MIS-C is a rare inflammatory condition associated with COVID-19 that can damage multiple organ systems. MIS-C can require hospitalization and be life threatening.

www.cdph.ca.gov