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San Diego County and the Human Services Agency are urging residents to get vaccinated against COVID-19 immediately as the region experiences what they have described as a “significant spike” in cases.
The county communications office on Friday sent the urgent message to San Diegans along with the announcement of 1,264 new cases of the virus – the most reported since February 5.
“The increase in cases is not a one-day phenomenon, but is part of a larger trend in recent weeks,” the county statement said.
From June 21 to July 20, more than 6,500 San Diego residents tested positive for the virus, with 89% of that population unvaccinated, according to the county. The news comes as the highly contagious delta variant of COVID-19 is reported among local cases.
The county added that 98% of hospitalizations in the past 30 days were from people who had not been vaccinated or had not completed their doses.
The more the virus gets to “know us”, the more opportunity it gives for variants to form, reports Claudette Stefanian of NBC 7.
“Vaccines are effective in preventing serious illness or death from COVID-19,” said Dr. Wilma Wooten, San Diego County public health official. “If you haven’t been vaccinated, the time to get the shot is now. If you are late for your second dose, now is the time to get that second injection. “
“We are facing an unvaccinated pandemic,” San Diego County Board of Supervisors chairman Nathan Fletcher said in a statement. “The vast majority of the increase in cases is from unvaccinated people and they account for almost all hospitalizations. The way to slow the increase and protect yourself is to trust your doctor and get yourself vaccinated.”
Ann Wallace contracted COVID-19 a year ago and has never recovered. She is known as a long haul, one of a group of people who continue to suffer from debilitating symptoms months – and for some, now a year – after contracting the virus. Wallace joined LX News to share his story.
In early July, more than 140,000 residents of San Diegan were late to receive their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The county reported on Friday that about 69% of the eligible population have been fully vaccinated while about 80% have received at least one dose.
At this time, masks are not required for fully immunized San Diego. A system similar to an honor code has been put in place with unvaccinated residents being asked to mask themselves when in covered facilities.
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