Marin Residents Urged To Get Boosted As Omicron Worries Grow

MARIN COUNTY, CA — Public health officials representing 10 greater Bay Area counties including Marin on Friday issued a joint statement urging residents to get vaccinated and, if eligible, get a booster shot right away to protect against the hyper-contagious omicron variant.

Omicron has been detected in several Bay Area counties, including Santa Clara, where one of the nation’s most prominent health officials offered a grim prediction of what she fears may lie ahead.

"When I look around the corner ahead, what I see is a deluge of omicron," Santa Clara County Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody said Thursday.

"What I see is perhaps one of the most challenging moments that we've had yet in the pandemic."

Public health officials in Alameda, Contra Costa, Monterey, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano and Sonoma counties as well as the City of Berkeley, agreed that everyone should get a booster shot when eligible, but particularly those over 50 or those with significant underlying health conditions.

Evidence suggests that Omicron spreads more rapidly than other variants, and more is being learned every day. Although some evidence suggests that a lower percentage of people infected with Omicron may be hospitalized and die, if a surge causes many thousands of new cases per day, even a small percentage of that total entering our hospitals will overwhelm healthcare delivery systems.

“We have a lot of control over our risk,” Marin Deputy Public Health Officer Dr. Lisa Santora said in a statement.

“We’ve benefitted from high vaccination rates so far, and we’ll continue to lean into the protection of vaccines to meet the next challenge. It’s time to get boosted.”

In addition to vaccinations and boosters, masking, testing, ventilation, and distancing remain an effective multi-layered defense against COVID-19. As the holiday season is upon us, people should stay mindful of risks and take steps to decrease them.

The Bay Area public health agencies said residents should get a booster if they are at least 16 years old and:

• 6 months have passed since their second dose of Moderna (for 18+)
• 6 months have passed since their second dose of Pfizer (for 16+)
• 2 months have passed since their Johnson & Johnson Dose (for 18+)

Bay Area public health officials also said Friday that in addition to vaccinations and boosters, masking, testing, ventilation, and distancing remain an effective multi-layered defense against COVID-19.

"As the holiday season is upon us, people should stay mindful of risks and take steps to decrease them," health officials said.

According to Bay Area health officials, if people must travel or gather for the holidays:

• Anyone who develops symptoms of COVID-19 should isolate themselves and get tested as soon as possible.
• Get tested before gathering or traveling, upon return, and again 3-5 days later.
• Have everyone ages 5+ get their COVID-19 vaccine and booster if eligible.
• Take advantage of quick and easy home test kits available in pharmacies and stores.
• Wear a mask indoors and in crowded settings.
• Keep group gatherings small. Gather with close family units.
• Outside gatherings are safer than indoor gatherings.
• Be particularly cautious around elderly or immunocompromised individuals and consider COVID-19 testing before such interactions.

"Parents of very young children and those who have not been vaccinated should make sure to take all advised precautions," health officials said.

"Avoid large gatherings. Always wear a mask in indoor public settings (unless under age 2)."