A COVID-19 surge in Marin is at bay for now, however at the very least one neighborhood of older residents is dealing with a big outbreak, the county’s public well being officer mentioned Monday.
Dr. Lisa Santora mentioned a cluster of instances reported on the Tamalpais Marin in Greenbrae “is probably one of the larger outbreaks we’ve had since the early spring of 2024.”
Santora mentioned the county has not had the rise in COVID-19 instances it sometimes does this time of yr. That may be about to vary. She mentioned ranges of the virus in native wastewater have not too long ago elevated.
“We now have high levels of COVID-19 in the Central Marin Sanitary District wastewater and medium levels in the Novato Sanitary District’s wastewater,” she mentioned. “The levels had been low for a long time.”
Tamalpais Marin has 220 unbiased residing and 40 assisted residing flats. Santora mentioned the outbreak includes solely residents residing within the unbiased residing flats and employees, resembling housekeepers and meals service staff, who work in that part of the constructing.
To date, 57 residents and 14 employees members have examined optimistic for the virus.
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Santora mentioned there was a smaller outbreak within the assisted residing part of Tamalpais Marin instantly previous to the present rash of infections, however it has ended. The employees members who not too long ago examined optimistic face minimal necessities for quarantine as a result of they don’t seem to be well being care staff.
The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention recommends that individuals keep dwelling and away from others till at the very least 24 hours after their signs enhance and they’re now not feverish with out counting on remedy.
Santora mentioned well being care personnel could return no sooner than three days after testing optimistic, they usually additionally should be freed from fever for twenty-four hours and have bettering signs.
Well being care staff are now not required to check destructive for COVID-19 earlier than returning to the job. Nonetheless, they need to put on a face masks for at the very least 10 days after their preliminary optimistic check.
Santora mentioned the newest new case of COVID-19 at Tamalpais Marin occurred on Jan. 27. If there aren’t any extra instances over the subsequent 14 days, the outbreak might be declared over.
“We currently have zero cases in independent living,” mentioned Paul Friesen, govt director of Tamalpais Marin. “We’re just waiting for that definition of an outbreak to end in 14 days.”
Friesen mentioned that in the course of the top of the outbreak, the ability required all guests and employees to put on masks. It additionally examined residents on a voluntary foundation and inspired them to put on masks. Residents who selected to not eat within the facility’s eating room have been equipped with meals they might eat of their flats.
Friesen mentioned the outbreak is the most important he has seen on the facility since arriving three years in the past.
As of Jan. 26, the newest date for which information have been obtainable, 13 folks have been hospitalized in Marin County due to COVID-19, and none was in an intensive care unit.
Friesen mentioned not one of the Tamalpais Marin residents who examined optimistic for COVID-19 required hospitalization.
“The majority of the symptoms were fairly minor, or none at all,” Friesen mentioned. “When we did the generalized testing, some people tested positive with no symptoms.”
Santora mentioned that this season’s influenza viruses and instances of metapneumovirus, which has not too long ago surged in China, are proving extra taxing than COVID-19. Metapneumovirus, first recognized within the Netherlands in 2001, spreads via direct contact and options flu-like signs.
“Both flu and metapneumovirus are having more severe symptoms and also a more protracted course of illness,” Santora mentioned. “We’re seeing people out of work and school for a longer period of time.”
The JN.1 variant of COVID-19 that started to ascertain its dominance in Marin a couple of yr in the past is believed to be extra contagious than its predecessor however no more virulent.
About 29% of Marin residents are updated with their COVID-19 vaccinations, together with about 55% of residents age 65 or older.
Santora mentioned that whereas these numbers are higher than these of many different communities, she want to see them increased amongst residents who’re 60 or older. She mentioned it isn’t too late for folks to get their vaccinations for COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus.
