Health officials push for masking, vaccines for all as Fresno County sees rise in COVID-19

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) – COVID-19 is spreading in Fresno County, and local health officials say a further increase in the number of cases could again strain hospital systems.

That’s why they encourage everyone to dress up or get the shot.

“We’ll get there faster and easier if everyone sticks to the safety measures we’ve been dictating for a year and a half,” said Dr Rais Vohra, acting health officer for Fresno County.

He said the health department is working with hospitals to make sure they are supplied with resources.

“I am optimistic that we can take all the lessons we have learned in the past and apply them to this current wave and we will get there with minimum disruption in our delivery of health care,” he said. he declares.

Vohra added that new advances in the treatment of COVID are helping patients who were not available a year ago.

RELATED: Fresno County Health Officials See Increase in Covid Cases Among People Aged 10-30

There are now 163 people hospitalized with COVID-19 in Fresno County. Dr Vohra said the vast majority of these patients are not vaccinated.

The number of cases of the more contagious Delta variant is also on the rise for the county, with 147 people testing positive for the variant reported.

Dr Vohra said the number of COVID-19 cases among those vaccinated had also increased over the past month. Health officials have reported around 500 cases of the breakthrough in the county.

“Instead of having a breakthrough infection here and there, they see entire families vaccinated who have contracted COVID,” Vohra said.

The acting health worker said that while the upward trend is with health officials, the best thing vaccinated people can do to protect themselves and others is to continue to practice masking.

“As long as they’re social distancing and masking, that’s really all they need to do to protect themselves and their families,” Vohra said.

Health officials said they are also seeing more children testing positive for COVID-19, especially those 11 years of age or younger who cannot yet receive the vaccine.

RELATED: City of Fresno to Require Unvaccinated Employees to Take Weekly COVID-19 Test

The health department and officials at Valley Children’s Hospital have encouraged children to wear face masks to help prevent the spread of the virus.

Currently, the State of California requires all students and staff to wear masks inside schools.

Last week, the Clovis Unified board of directors agreed to give parents the option to complete a form to have their child exempt from wearing a face covering due to physical or mental health issues.

Dr Vohra said they are working with Clovis Unified and the state to clarify the correct guidelines required for schools.

“Our understanding is that this has to be done by a healthcare professional,” Vohra said. “Self-attestation does not replace that.”