A sharp spike in COVID cases, fueled in part by the Omicron variant, prompts health experts to urge revelers to scale back New Year’s Eve gatherings.
COVID Today
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Unvaccinated young adults, public spaces a concerning combo, Santa Cruz County health officials say
If you’re treating the Omicron moment as you did Delta or pre-Delta, “you’re virtually guaranteed to get infected,” the county’s deputy health officer says. Since young adults became eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine earlier this year, they’ve continued to lag in receiving the shots, nationally and in Santa Cruz County, a topic of concern for public health officials.
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With Omicron exploding ‘incredibly fast,’ officials urge caution in coming days
Soaring COVID-19 cases fueled by the fast-spreading Omicron variant are prompting fresh concerns about end-of-year gatherings.
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Omicron plays havoc with return-to-office plans
As the new variant spreads, businesses across California are rethinking timelines for bringing workers back into the office and scrambling to cope with lost productivity.
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Many Californians will likely be infected during Omicron surge. How bad will it get?
Cases are expected to spike, but holiday gatherings can be safe, even without masks, if everyone is vaccinated and boosted, Fauci says.
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Omicron, boosters and the local response during the holidays
While healthcare providers say they’re prepared for a potential surge of cases due to Omicron, they say the data thus far may suggest fewer severe cases and hospitalizations. They continue to urge the public to get vaccinated and boosted, even with prolonged wait times.
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UCSC provides updated guidelines for beginning of winter quarter, including booster mandate deadline
Citing the need to test returning students and concerns over the Omicron variant, UC Santa Cruz told instructors in an email last week that administrators plan to start the winter 2022 quarter with two weeks of online instruction in early January. The University of California system will also mandate boosters for eligible students and staff.
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Biden outlines new Omicron strategy, will order 500 million at-home tests for Americans
President Biden warns that the Omicron variant of the coronavirus will result in more breakthrough infections among vaccinated Americans. Biden encouraged those who are eligible to get a booster shot, adding that fully vaccinated people should not change their holiday plans.
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San Jose seeks mandatory COVID boosters, first California city to propose extra shots
If approved, the proposal would require San Jose city employees, as well as residents or visitors to city-owned facilities, to receive booster shots.
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Flying over the holidays? Here are tips for reducing your Omicron risk
If you’re traveling by plane this holiday season, here are tips for reducing your COVID-19 risk as much as possible at the airport and on your flights.