News of the week Now, as the Bay Area continues to see consistently high case rates, hospitalizations have begun to rise. That’s not good news, but healthcare professionals at the frontlines contrast where we are collectively at in the pandemic with that of 2020 and 2021. The hospitalization increase has been much more gradual this […]
COVID Today
Posted inCOVID Today
COVID Dashboard: New variants, particularly BA.5, pushing a surge; but cases seem to be less serious
News of the week Remember those variants we talked about last week? Well, it looks like they’ll deprive us from our hopeful COVID respite, at least for a little bit. Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 are the main causes of cases in the greater Bay Area and across the county right now, and seem to […]
Posted inCOVID Today
COVID Dashboard: New variants could keep cases high, but updated shots may be on the way
News of the week Another week, another variant, or two. Two Omicron subvariants, BA.4 and BA.5, are the main causes of cases in San Francisco and the greater Bay Area right now. Though cases in Santa Cruz County have remained fairly stagnant — sitting at 2,022 as of Monday’s update compared to last week’s 2,002 […]
Posted inPandemic Life
New ultra-contagious Omicron subvariants BA.4, BA.5 worsening California coronavirus wave
Subvariants BA.4, BA5 are ultra-contagious and capable of reinfecting those who have survived earlier Omicron infection
Posted inCOVID Today
COVID Dashboard: Bay Area surge appears to be leveling off, but cases still high
News of the week After months of surging COVID-19 cases, the Bay Area might be seeing the first glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. Recent data shows that Bay Area cases have stopped rising, though they are still high. Conditions have improved across many surrounding counties, including in Alameda, where County Health […]
Posted inCOVID Today
COVID Dashboard: Jabs officially available for children 5 and under
News of the week Parents looking to vaccinate their young children can finally breathe a sigh of relief. This week, children younger than 5 officially became eligible for COVID-19 immunizations after over two years of waiting. It is the final age group to become eligible. Santa Cruz County Deputy Health Officer Dr. Cal Gordon is […]
Posted inCOVID Today
This new California coronavirus wave isn’t sticking to the script: Big spread, less illness
Despite the latest surge in coronavirus cases, the impact on hospitals has been relatively minor and COVID-19 deaths have remained fairly low and stable.
Posted inCoast Life
Parenting with Omicron: Santa Cruz families with young kids tell their stories of a ‘lost month’
Farmworkers, teachers, nurses, physical therapists and writers — all parents — had to scramble as the virus upended their lives. Lookout parenting columnist Liza Monroy talks with four local families — from Watsonville to Ben Lomond — about their experience with Omicron.
Posted inCoast Life
The Omicron experience: Families with young children — including mine — still face pandemic purgatories
In the first of a two-part series on parenting through Omicron, Liza Monroy writes about the jarring experience of COVID hitting her Santa Cruz household, the effects of a “lost month” on her family, and the lingering impact.
Posted inCOVID Today
Officials expect COVID vaccines to be available to children under 5 early next week. Here’s what you need to know
With the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines on the brink of approval for children ages 6 months to 5 and 6 years, respectively, Santa Cruz County health officials are gearing up to make sure everyone has access. Pediatricians and primary care providers will be relied on more heavily in this round of vaccines because most pharmacies aren’t licensed to provide vaccines to the younger cohort.