COVID-19

COUNTY MODIFIES VACCINE AND TESTING EFFORTS TO REACH VULNERABLE POPULATIONS

By Katie Cadiao, County of San Diego Communications Office

April 6, 2022 (San Diego) - The County is modifying its COVID-19 testing and vaccination efforts to better reach San Diegans who struggle with accessing these services.


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BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES A NEW WAY FOR MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES TO GET FREE OVER-THE-COUNTER COVID-19 TESTS

Source: U.S. Health and Human Services Dept.

Photo: CC via Bing

 

April 4, 2022 (Washington D.C.) -- The Biden-Harris Administration is announcing today that more than 59 million Americans with Medicare Part B, including those enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, now have access to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved, authorized, or cleared over-the-counter COVID-19 tests at no cost.  People with Medicare can get up to eight tests per calendar month from participating pharmacies and health care providers for the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency.


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ONE MILLION SAN DIEGANS MISSING FIRST BOOSTER; FOURTH DOSE NOW AVAILABLE FOR 50 AND UP

By José A. Álvarez, County of San Diego Communications Office

April 1, 2022 (San Diego) - Close to 1 million San Diegans qualify now for the COVID-19 vaccine booster, yet have still not received their dose, the County Health and Human Services Agency announced today.


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COUNTY LIMITS CONTACT TRACING TO ONLY THOSE AT HIGH-RISK AFTER COVID EXPOSURE

By José A. Álvarez, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo:  a County employee conducts contact tracing.

March 10, 2022 (San Diego) - The County is following the national recommendation to reprioritize COVID-19 case investigations to focus on cases reported in people who are at higher risk of developing serious complications from the disease.


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CALIFORNIA LEGISLATORS PROPOSE NEW SLATE OF COVID-19 VACCINE LAWS

By Elizabeth Aguilera, CalMatters

CalMatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s state Capitol works and why it matters

Photo:  an Oakland resident receives a COVID-19 vaccination at the La Clinica de la Raza community vaccination site in Oakland on Jan. 4, 2022. Photo by Martin do Nascimento/CalMatters

March 2, 2022 (Sacramento) - Gov. Gavin Newsom is easing mask restrictions and declaring that the pandemic is moving into a less critical phase. Yet an aggressive slate of COVID-19-related bills — to mandate vaccines for children and workers, to allow 12 to 17 year-olds to get the vaccine without parental consent and more — remain in play under the Capitol dome.


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STATE LIFTS SCHOOL MASK MANDATES STARTING MARCH 12

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: CC by SA via Bing

Update: The County has also lifted its mask mandate for schools, though individual districts may make their own decisions.

February 28, 2002 (San Diego) -- Governor Gavin Newsom on Monday announced that California will lift requirements for students and staffers to wear masks indoors at schools started March 12th.


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5,002 SAN DIEGANS HAVE DIED OF COVID, INCLUDNG 55 IN PAST WEEK

East County News Service

February 25, 2022 (San Diego) -- San Diego County has reached a somber milestone in the COVID-19 pandemic as local virus-related deaths have now surpassed 5,000. Though some restrictions are being eased,  in the past week, 6,383 new cases , 659 hospitalizations and 55 new deaths were reported locally. Deaths in the past month include not only older residents, but several in their 30s and 40s.


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COVID-19 HAS TURNED DEADLIER FOR BLACK CALIFORNIANS, WHO HAVE THE STATE'S LOWEST VACCINATION RATE

By Kristen Hwang, CalMatters

CalMatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s state Capitol works and why it matters

Photo:  George Dowell, 40, receives the COVID-19 vaccine at Umoja Health pop-up clinic in Oakland last week. He waited a year to watch for any side-effects or problems in his vaccinated friends. Photo by Marissa Leshnov for CalMatters

February 25, 2022 (San Diego) - Deondray Moore sat in a plastic folding chair, rolled up his sleeve and got his first COVID-19 shot in the parking lot of Center of Hope Community Church in Oakland a week ago. He was the last in his family to get vaccinated after putting it off for more than a year, and only acquiesced because he wants to be in the delivery room when his son is born this summer. 


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OUT OF THE COVID CRISIS, BUT CALIFORNIA IS STILL IN A STATE OF EMERGENCY

By Alexei Koseff, CalMatters

CalMatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s state Capitol works and why it matters

Photo:  Gov. Gavin Newsom discusses the next phase of the state’s COVID-19 response at a press conference in Fontana on Feb. 17, 2022. The press conference took place in one of many warehouses where PPE supplies are stored. Photo by Alisha Jucevic for CalMatters

February 18, 2022 (Sacramento) - For weeks, Gov. Gavin Newsom teased that California would soon enter a new phase of its response to the coronavirus pandemic, one in which the state shifted its perspective to how to deal with an endemic disease that will likely be a regular part of our lives.


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GOT COVID? GET TREATMENT TO RECOVER FASTER

By José A. Álvarez, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo:  a treatment room at the Monoclonal Antibody Regional Center in San Ysidro.

February 17, 2022 (San Diego) - The County Health and Human Services Agency is reminding San Diegans that monoclonal antibody treatment is available for people at high risk of serious illness from COVID-19.


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COUNTY URGES RESIDENTS TO GET BOOSTER SHOTS, AS MASKS COME OFF

Source: County News Service

Only 53% of those eligible locally have received boosters, but 88% of hospitalizations are patients who have not had booster shots

 

February 17, 2022 (San Diego) -- With masks coming off indoors in many public places for fully vaccinated people, County health officials are urging all eligible San Diegans to get all the recommended COVID-19 doses, including the additional dose and booster shot.


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SCRIPPS RESEARCH DISCOVERY COULD ENABLE BROAD CORONAVIRUS VACCINE

Scientists identified vulnerable site on multiple coronaviruses that could be targeted to prevent future pandemics

 

Watch a video on this research here: https://www.scripps.edu/news-and-events/press-room/2022/20220210-andrabi-coronavirus-prevent-future-pandemics.html.

 

Source: Scripps Research

 

February 11, 2022 (La Jolla) -- The COVID-causing virus SARS-CoV-2 harbors a vulnerable site at the base of its spike protein that is found also on closely related coronaviruses, according to a new study from Scripps Research. The discovery, published Feb 8 in Science Translational Medicine, could inform the design of broad-acting vaccines and antibody therapies capable of stopping future coronavirus pandemics.

 

The research was supported by the National Institutes of Health, IAVI, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the San Diego Center for AIDS Research, the John and Mary Tu Foundation, and the James B. Pendleton Charitable Trust.


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MASK MANDATE FOR FULLY VACCINATED PEOPLE ENDS FEB. 15 IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, DESPITE CDC ADVICE TO KEEP WEARING MASKS

By Miriam Raftery

Photo credit:  County News Service

February 10, 2022 (San Diego) – Starting February 15, fully vaccinated people will no longer have to wear masks indoors in most places in San Diego County.  But the action runs counter to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control advice, which continues to recommend face masks, particularly N95 masks, as the best way to prevent spread of the Omicron COVID-19 variant.


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BILL TO ALLOW TEENS TO RECEIVE VACCINES WITHOUT PARENTAL CONSENT SPARKS CONTROVERSY

By Miriam Raftery

Photo credit:  San Diego County

February 8, 2022 (San Diego) – Senate Bill 866, the Teens Choose Vaccines Act introduced on January 21 by California State Senator Scott Wiener, a Democrat, would allow young people age 12 and up to receive vaccines for COVID-19 and other serious illnesses without parental consent. The bill, which is sparking conflicts among public health experts and parental choice advocates, has not yet been scheduled for hearing. 


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AS MILITARY BEGINS BOOTING OUT SOLDIERS WHO REFUSE COVID VACCINES, REP. ISSA CALLS FOR HALT TO FUNDS FOR MANDATE

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy of the U.S. Army

February 3, 2022 (San Diego) – All branches of the U.S. armed forces have begun discharging military members who have refused to get the COVID-19 vaccine. In the Army, Air Force and Navy, over 97% of all enlisted members in each service are now fully vaccinated. 

“Unvaccinated soldiers present risk to the force and jeopardize readiness,” Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth said this week, when the Army announced it had begun booting out soldiers who won’t get vaccinated. She added, “Army readiness depends on Soldiers who are prepared to train, deploy, fight and win our nation's wars.”

Navy Vice Admiral William Merz agrees; he has referred to vaccines as “biological body army” at a Pentagon press conference in January.


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COVID-19 CASE REPORTS DOWN, BUT HOME TESTS AREN’T COUNTED: INCREASED DEATHS ARE REMINDER TO GET VACCINATED, BOOSTED

By Katie Cadiao, County of San Diego Communications Office 

Photo Credit: Shutterstock 

February 3, 2022 (San Diego) -- New lab-confirmed COVID-19 infections are beginning to decline in the region, but actual case counts may be higher due to the increasing popularity and availability of home antigen tests, results of which are not reported to the County.


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GROSSMONT HEALTHCARE DISTRICT RECEIVES $47,117 IN COVID-19 RELIEF FUNDING FROM STATE

Funds will be used to assist in the distribution of free COVID-19 at-home test kits 

Source:  Grossmont Healthcare district

Photo: District employees prepare boxes of at-home COVID-19 test kits for distribution to the community through partners and its Library (Courtesy of Grossmont Healthcare District) 

February 2, 2022 (La Mesa) – The Grossmont Healthcare District announced it has received $47,117 in State funding for COVID-19 relief, which it plans to reinvest into the community by supplementing the nationwide effort to provide the public with free COVID-19 at-home test kits.


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CALIFORNIA IS SECOND SAFEST STATE IN NATION FROM COVID

East County News Service

Photo: CC-ND

 

January 27, 2022 (San Diego) -- With around 64% of the population fully vaccinated against COVID-19 but the omicron variant on the rise, WalletHub today released updated rankings for the Safest States During COVID-19, along with accompanying videos and audio files.  California is ranked the second safest overall, after Hawaii, an island state. California also has the highest vaccination rate in the nation.


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BOOSTERS KEEPING SAN DIEGANS OUT OF HOSPITALS

East County News Service

County News Service contributed to this report

January 26, 2022 (San Diego) - Recently released research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that COVID-19 vaccine boosters are effective at preventing severe illness and hospitalizations.

New research findings released by the U.S. Centers for Disease control shows that COVID-19 vaccine boosters are effective at preventing severe illness and hospitalizations.

The boosters reduced emergency room visits and hospitalizations by 94%, and reduced the death rate by 90% compared to patients who had not received booster shots.

 


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ALL VISITORS TO U.S. MUST NOW SHOW PROOF OF VACCINATION AT BORDER, INCLUDING THOSE TRAVELING FOR ESSENTIAL REASONS

By Miriam Raftery

January 21, 2022 (San Diego) – Starting tomorrow, all people entering the U.S. at the Mexican or Canadian borders must be fully vaccinated, except for U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents and U.S. nationals.  The new requirement will apply to both essential and non-essential travelers, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced.


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COUNTY EXPANDS COVID-19 TESTING TO MEET DEMAND CAUSED BY OMICRON

By Katie Cadiao, County of San Diego Communications Office

January 21, 2022 (San Diego) - The County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency is continuing to expand regional COVID-19 testing to meet the increased demand brought on by the rapid spread of the Omicron variant. The County has a network of free testing sites, both walk-up and appointment-based.


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AMID LOW COVID VACCINE RATES, MORE CALIFORNIA CHILDREN HOSPITALIZED IN OMICRON SURGE

By Elizabeth Aguilera, CalMatters

CalMatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s state Capitol works and why it matters

Photo:  CC-by NC-ND via Bing

January 18, 2022 (San Diego) - COVID-19 hospitalizations among California’s children — especially those too young to go to school — are the highest they have been since the pandemic began.


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STARTING TODAY, YOU CAN ORDER FOUR FREE COVID TESTS PER HOUSEHOLD

By Miriam Raftery

Photo credit:  USPS

January 18, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) – Every household in American can receive four free COVID-19 tests from the federal government. 

Orders are being taken online starting today at https://special.usps.com/testkits.

The rapid antigen COVID-19 tests will be shipped free by the U.S. Postal Service starting in late January.


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LOST A LOVED ONE TO COVID? FEMA WILL PAY FUNERAL EXPENSES

By Miriam Raftery

Image via Pixabay

January 17, 2022 (Washington D.C.) – Over 850,000 Americans have died of COVID-19.  But many families don’t know about a federal program that can pay for funeral expenses such as burial or cremation. 

The program will pay up to $9,000 per death, or a maximum of $35,000 per application if an applicant paid for funerals for multiple people.


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BEHIND ON YOUR MORTGAGE DUE TO COVID? NOW THERE’S HELP FOR CALIFORNIANS

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: CC by SA via Bing 

January 16, 2022 (San Diego) – California homeowners who have fallen behind on housing payments due to pandemic-related hardships can now apply for help to pay back payments through the California Mortgage Relief program, which is funded by the 2021 federal American Rescue plan Act’s Homeowners Assistance Fund.  Qualified applicants do not have to repay any funds awarded.


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FREE TESTS? AS COVID SURGES, RAPID RESULTS COST UP TO $300

By Ana B. Ibarra, CalMatters

CalMatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s state Capitol works and why it matters

Photo:  Diane Ahern swabs herself for COVID-19 at a testing site at the Long Beach Airport in Long Beach on Jan. 11, 2022. “I need to get tested every three days to be able to visit my parents at their retirement home,” Ahern said. “I’m nervous.” Photo by Pablo Unzueta for CalMatters

January 14, 2022 (San Diego) - When Rebecca Santucci of Lakewood learned that her sister, Stacy, may have been exposed to COVID-19, she set out to look for a rapid test. She needed to know quickly whether their 88-year-old father was at risk.


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FREE FLU AND COVID-19 VACCINES SATURDAY IN LEMON GROVE

East County News Service

January 12, 2022 (Lemon Grove) – Free COVID-19 and flu vaccines are available Saturday, January 15 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Lemon Grove Academy Middle School, 7866 Lincoln Street in Lemon Grove.


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COUNTY REPORTS RECORD COVID CASES, URGES SAN DIEGANS TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS

By Katie Cadiao, County of San Diego Communications Office

January 10, 2022 (San Diego) - The County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency is reporting record numbers of new COVID-19 cases, even when factoring in that more than a third of the results from the previous three days are due to reporting delays from last week.


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HEALTH AND SCIENCE HIGHLIGHTS


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LOCAL COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES RETURN TO ONLINE LEARNING DUE TO OMICRON SURGE

By Miriam Raftery

January 9, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) – Major colleges, universities and community colleges across the region have temporarily shifted back to virtual instruction due to the COVID-19 surge fueled by the Omicron variant and holiday gatherings.


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