'Better Days' Soon On COVID-19, Says San Mateo Co. Health Chief

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — San Mateo County’s COVID-19 numbers are trending in the right direction, the county’s health chief, Louise Rogers, said in a message to the community on Wednesday.

The transmission rate remains high, but trended downward for the second straight week.

“The work to climb down from the mountain we had had to climb requires more stamina in these weeks, but we continue to expect better days in the weeks ahead,” Rogers said.

San Mateo County has been averaging 1,123 new cases per day this week, compared to 1,661 new cases last week. The county’s 14.4 percent test positivity rate is also lower than the rate from last week, and hospitalization totals have dipped slightly.

Nearly 80 percent of county residents 65 and older have received a booster shot. Rogers said vaccination remains “vitally important” to the continued declining of case rates.

“And as we look forward to lower levels of virus transmission in future weeks, we are not there yet, and so we remind everyone to continue wearing the most protective mask that can fit well and be worn consistently, to seek a test if symptoms arise, and to isolate if sick,” Rogers said.

Click here to read Rogers' full message.