Covid-19 transmission levels in Santa Barbara County are now classified as “low,” according to numbers released this week. Between August. 26 and Sept. 1, the average reported number of PCR-confirmed cases decreased by 7.3%.
Case numbers are underreported to the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department, due to the increased use of at-home tests.
The Centers for Disease Control also approved new Covid-19 boosters targeting the Omicron variant last week. Anyone 12 years or older who has received their initial vaccination series and a booster shot at least two months ago is eligible for the Pfizer booster; anyone older than 18, who received their last shot more than two months prior, is eligible for the Moderna booster.
The new booster targets two version of the Covid-19 virus: the original virus, and the Omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5.
There were zero new deaths due to Covid-19 reported over the past week. Covid-19 related hospitalizations have decreased, and the number of available ICU beds have increased.
Covid-19 vaccination is recommended for everyone six months and older.
To learn where to get vaccinated for Covid-19, visit publichealthsbc.org/vaccine. To get tested for Covid-19, visit publichealthsbc.org/testing. For more information from the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department, call 211 and press #4 or email the county at PHDDOC.PIOCommunitySupport@sbcphd.org.
