Con los casos de COVID en aumento, ¿cómo deben preparar las familias de Fresno para la temporada de regreso a clases?

With the rising number of COVID-19 cases as back to school season is on the horizon, Fresno County public health officials are urging families to be alert and stay up-to-date with the vaccine.

“We do want to advise families to take precautions now that we’re seeing high levels of COVID circulating in the community,” said Dr. Trinidad Solis, deputy public health officer for Fresno County Department of Public Health, in an interview with The Bee on Thursday.

Last month, the California Surveillance of Wastewater Systems Network and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Wastewater Surveillance System found “high” levels of the COVID-19 virus in San Joaquin Valley wastewater.

Solis said testing wastewater is an “early warning system” tool and indicates cases are on the rise. Local hospitals are also reporting more people are coming into the emergency department with COVID symptoms, she said.

Coronavirus cases have risen in California over the summer months — primarily driven by a series of variants known as “FLiRT.” The new variants have mutations that allow them to spread faster, Solis said. But the variants have not shown an increased severity, meaning there hasn’t been more people being hospitalized or dying because of COVID.

Summer travel and more people congregating indoors to avoid the summer heat have also contributed to the increased cases, as well as waning immunity over time for those who have been previously vaccinated, she said.

“One tip we advise is to prepare for the fall season by planning to get that updated COVID vaccine that is going to come out this fall,” Solis said. “That will protect families against the variants that are circulating right now and the community.”

As of June 30, only 7.4% of Fresno County residents, or 76,002 out of 1,021,649 eligible individuals, are up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines, according to the most recent data from the California Department of Public Health. (Up-to-date status is defined as having received at least one dose of an updated COVID-19 vaccine.)

This is about half of the statewide average of 14.9%.

“Even overall as a state, it’s at the lower end,” Solis said.

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How well vaccinated is your Fresno, Clovis area school?

Schools with low vaccination rates are more likely to be at risk for outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases like COVID-19.

CDPH has a search tool to see how well-vaccinated specific schools, colleges and child care sites are for all required vaccines. (Search for your child’s school site here.)

The search tool does not include COVID-19 vaccination information. This is not a mandatory vaccine for K-12 schools, Solis said.

CDPH recommends children, families, teachers and staff stay up to date on COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations. The department also recommends improved circulation of transportation such as buses and vans when feasible and safe. Testing, teaching good hygiene to children and cleaning spaces can also help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Solis said any children who display symptoms such as a cough, runny nose, and/or sore throat should stay home from school and be tested.

The current COVID guidance is that individuals should stay home for at least 24 hours until they’re fever free without using medications, and they continue to use a mask for an additional five days after testing positive, she said.

“We don’t want children to come to school if they’re still sick, and we want to prevent COVID from spreading in the classrooms,” she said.

Those who wish to use take extra precautions can use face masks and should have access to masks at school.

“Unless it would pose a safety hazard, no person can be prevented from wearing a mask as a condition for participation in an activity or entry into a school or childcare setting,” CDPH says.

Infants and children under 2 years old, should not wear a mask and neither should anyone who is eating or sleeping or who has a medical condition, mental health condition or disability that prevents them from wearing or removing a mask safely.

For any summer travel, Solis recommends individuals consider using a mask in an airplane or train or in crowded indoor spaces, especially if they’re high risk.

Updated vaccine expected in the fall

A new updated COVID-19 vaccine is anticipated this fall.

The CDC recommends high-risk individuals — those who are at risk of getting severe illness from COVID— are advised to get the updated dose. This includes people who are over 65 years old or if they’re immunocompromised.

In general, though, Solis said all individuals 6 months and older should get the updated vaccine in the fall so they’re protected against the new variants.

Annual updated coronavirus vaccinations could become the norm if the current coronavirus trends continue and the virus picks up in the fall and winter similar to the flu, Solis said.

To find a vaccination site near you, contact your primary care provider, local pharmacy, or the Fresno County Department of Public Health – Immunization program at 559-600-3550. Or visit My Turn: https://myturn.ca.gov/.