by Kelsey Penrose
It’s not what people want to think about right now, but you may have noticed an uptick in mask wearing in the community or, if you have a children, the fact that many of their friends are coming down with sicknesses.
That’s because, in addition to the typical upper respiratory illnesses going around in late fall and early winter, COVID is having a surge again.
The average number of COVID-19 cases in the Quad Counties from the last six weeks is averaging 89 cases per week; significantly less from its peak in the winter of 2020-2021, where we saw thousands of active cases throughout the counties.
In Carson City, the average number of cases has been 35 cases per week in the last six weeks, which do not include cases being tested for at home that aren’t reported.
During the same time last year, there were 29 cases per week in Carson City on average, which suggests a slight increase this season in COVID cases.
The current COVID variant “Eris” is the most prevalent, consisting of 28 percent of all positive tests, followed by HV.1 at 25 percent of all tests; both are sub variants of Omicron.
However, treatment has come along way since the winter of 2021, with a number of boosters helping to keep people safe and, more recently, the introduction of antivirals.
The most common oral antiviral is Paxlovid, which is available by prescription to adults and children aged 12 years and older who are either at a high risk for getting very sick from COVID, or who are experiencing mild to moderate symptoms.
If you haven’t caught the bug yet, be sure to schedule an appointment or head down to a walk-in pharmacy for a COVID-19 booster; the updated formula which was rolled out mid September is expected to provide better protection against the currently circulating variants.
“Vaccines continue to the best way to protect against severe disease,” said Jessica Brenner, public health preparedness manager for Carson City Health and Human Services.
For those who are already feeling sick, be sure to test. You can order free tests right to your door through USPS by simply giving your name and address on this form. Even if you already have ordered some this fall, more free tests were authorized per address on Nov. 20.
If you’ve already tested, isolate to prevent the spread to others, Brenner said.
The CDC has an isolation calculator that the public can use to determine if they need to isolate and for how long. Typically, isolation is recommended for five to ten days following an exposure determined by symptoms.
“It is respiratory illness season; we encourage everyone who is feeling sick to stay home or wear a mask around others,” Brenner said.
She also said that keeping up to date on hospital admissions can give the public a good idea of dangers.
“Staying up to date with local COVID-19 hospital admissions levels will provide community members with information about the amount of severe illness in our community and allow them to decide how and when to take action to protect themselves and others. It is recommended when COVID-19 hospital admission levels are high wear a mask or respirator and to increase space or distance to decrease the likelihood of acquiring infection.”
Nationally, there’s been an 8.6 percent uptick in COVID-19 hospital admissions, and locally, 29 individuals have been admitted in the past week.
However, the COVID-19 County Check still lists the overall hospital admission level as Low, thanks in part to community vaccination numbers.
To learn more about how you can stay safe, including staying up to date on vaccines, visit https://www.gethealthycarsoncity.org/
