(DAVIS, California) — Data from clinical testing and wastewater monitoring show COVID-19 transmission is rising in Davis and Yolo County. Testing positivity rates have sustained increases over a one-week period. Elevated levels of the virus have been detected in wastewater in Davis, which often indicates wider community spread ahead of clinical testing.
The recent uptick in transmission is likely due to the spread of the new, more contagious BA.2.12.1 subvariant of the BA.2 sublineage of Omicron. The subvariant, which is estimated to be 30 percent more contagious than BA.2, was first detected in Yolo County on the UC Davis campus in late March and now accounts for nearly half of campus cases. Wastewater data analyzed by the Sewer Coronavirus Alert Network and Healthy Davis Together show increased levels of virus in Davis and on the UC Davis campus.
Public health officials urge Yolo residents to take precautions to stop the spread and protect against serious infection by wearing a mask when indoors, getting tested when appropriate and getting vaccinated and boosted when eligible.
“Data show that COVID-19 is spreading in Yolo County, especially in Davis. Yolo residents are encouraged to take additional precautions to guard against infection,” said Yolo County Health Officer Dr. Aimee Sisson. “I strongly recommend masking indoors with a high-quality mask and getting tested if you have symptoms, have a known exposure, or recently participated in a large gathering like Picnic Day. If you are eligible for a booster, now is a good time to get that booster—do not wait.”
Everyone ages 5 years and older is eligible for COVID-19 vaccines, with persons 12 and older eligible for boosters. Second boosters are now available to anyone over 50 years old or immunocompromised, and those who are over 65 years old or have underlying conditions are encouraged to get boosted as soon as possible. If you test positive and are at higher risk of serious infection, contact your healthcare provider quickly to access treatments like the oral antiviral Paxlovid, which can reduce the severity of infection from COVID-19.
The Door Vax program will deliver free mobile vaccinations and booster doses to any individual in Yolo County by calling (530) 902-3230. If you have symptoms and test negative using a rapid antigen test, stay home and test again in one to two days because Omicron subvariants may not be detected until later in the infection period.
Visit HeathyDavisTogether.org/testing for more information, to schedule an appointment and to check for testing location updates before your appointment or walk-in visit. All sites have free parking.
For more information on testing and vaccine availability throughout Yolo County, visit the county COVID-19 webpage at: http://www.yolocounty.org/covid.
Every U.S. household is eligible to order up to eight free at-home COVID-19 test kits. To order free test kits, visit www.covid.gov.
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About Healthy Davis Together
Healthy Davis Together is a joint project between the city of Davis, California, and UC Davis. The goal is to protect the community against COVID-19 and facilitate a coordinated and gradual return to normal city activities and student life. For more information, visit HealthyDavisTogether.org
Press Contact: [email protected]
