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COVID-19

California Faces Covid-19 Surge Amid Vaccine Approval Delays

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

California is experiencing a significant surge in Covid-19 cases, driven by a new subvariant of the Omicron virus, with hospital admissions nearly doubling since July. Public health officials warn that the situation is concerning, especially for vulnerable populations, as the approval of updated vaccines is being slowed down by the Trump administration's vaccine-skeptic health chief, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The FDA has signaled that it will only approve updated vaccines for high-risk groups, such as over-65s, leaving those in lower-risk groups uncertain about their vaccination status.

Key Takeaways:

  • The number of positive Covid tests in the Los Angeles and San Jose metro areas has increased by as much as 6.3% since last month, according to public health officials.
  • Statewide hospital admissions have nearly doubled from 1.6 per 100,000 people to 3 per 100,000 since early July, with a significant increase in admissions among patients aged 65 and over (from 6.3 to 11 per 100,000).
  • The rise in cases is largely attributed to a new subvariant of the Omicron Covid virus, known as 'XFG' or 'Stratus'.
  • Public health experts warn that the situation is concerning, especially for vulnerable populations, as the approval of updated vaccines is being slowed down by the Trump administration's vaccine-skeptic health chief, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
  • The FDA has signaled that it will only approve updated vaccines for high-risk groups, such as over-65s, leaving those in lower-risk groups uncertain about their vaccination status.
  • The CDC's vaccine advisory committee still hasn't approved new guidelines for who should get updated vaccines, leaving some states uncertain about their vaccination policies.
  • Both the CDC and the FDA come under the authority of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, now run by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Statistics:

  • California has seen a 6.3% increase in positive Covid tests in the Los Angeles and San Jose metro areas since last month.
  • Statewide hospital admissions have nearly doubled from 1.6 per 100,000 people to 3 per 100,000 since early July.
  • The number of hospital admissions among patients aged 65 and over has increased from 6.3 to 11 per 100,000 since early July.

Sources:

  • Io Dodds
  • Matt Willis, public health expert and former Marin County public health officer ("California's in the middle of a Covid-19 wave, and statewide rates are among the highest in the nation.")
  • Los Angeles Times
  • Politico
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