Orange County health officials say to ensure a good 2022 stay home

As New Years Eve approaches, Orange County health experts are urging residents to cancel holiday gatherings and go into hiding at home, as hospitalizations and coronavirus infections – particularly in the home. children and young adults – are on the increase again.

Dr Regina Chinsio-Kwong, the county’s public health official, said on Thursday that new infections and hospitalizations had increased dramatically since last week and could worsen as people travel, attend meetings and prepare to return. at school in January.

The seven-day average rate of new cases per 100,000 people fell from 10.8 last Thursday to 22.8 this week, pushing the county’s positivity rate from 3.3% to 6.5%. The number of COVID-19-related hospitalizations has also increased, from 217 last week to 420, the Orange County Health Care Agency reported Thursday.

Three Colorado college friends brave the rain Thursday as they walk along the Newport Beach boardwalk. Still undecided on New Year’s plans, they weren’t concerned about COVID-19. But health experts disagree.

(Don Leach / Staff Photographer)

“We know New Years Eve is approaching,” Chinsio-Kwong said at a press conference. “We know a lot of people can’t wait to celebrate. But the risk of catching and spreading COVID is extremely high during this time. We want to encourage everyone to limit or avoid gatherings whenever possible. “

She further advised all eligible residents to get or be vaccinated against the virus, as around 87% of hospitalizations related to COVID-19 are in people who are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated.

Healthcare workers recently began reporting an increase in new infections in children and young adults, as the Omicron variant spreads throughout Orange County. The figures show that of 29 confirmed Omicron cases across the county, 21 involved people between the ages of 18 and 24. And this time around, more young children are getting sick.

Jim Freeman and his daughter Emma are running in the cold wind just before the rain starts to fall on Wednesday at Newport Pier.

(Don Leach / Staff Photographer)

“Our pediatric hospital shows that there has been an increase in pediatric cases that have been admitted. They are now seeing younger children with respiratory illnesses, ”said Chinsio-Kwong. “The age group that is really the source of new infections is still young adults, aged 18 to 44.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Monday revised its guidelines on isolation and quarantine, indicating those with coronavirus isolate for five days, then, if symptoms don’t worsen, wear a mask for an additional five days.

The change comes as the Orange County health care agency on reported Thursday 3,402 new daily infections and two more deaths from COVID-19, bringing the county-wide death rate to 5,890.

Of the 420 people treated in area hospitals for the virus, 86 are in intensive care units, leaving less than 22% of all intensive care beds in Orange County available for new patients.

Chinsio-Kwong said on Thursday hospitals were experiencing longer-than-usual wait times as emergency rooms crowded with coronavirus cases began to see seasonal cases of colds, flu and other respiratory illnesses . Meanwhile, about 10 to 15 percent of county health workers are calling in sick or to isolate or quarantine.

“It’s not that there aren’t enough beds,” Chinsio-Kwong warned. “We might also be facing a staffing shortage, and it’s happening nationally. People really have to be careful.

OCHA offers free COVID-19 PCR test kits to those who live or work in Orange County, which can be administered at home and then returned by mail with the results available approximately 24 to 48 hours after receipt.

Chinsio-Kwong encouraged residents to take advantage of the self-collection testing option, especially if they are symptomatic, may have been exposed to the virus, or are planning to travel or return to work or school. Free kits can be ordered online at ochealthinfo.com/covidtest.

Support our coverage by becoming a digital subscriber.