SANTA CLARA COUNTY, Calif. (KCBS RADIO) - Santa Clara County health officials have announced that COVID-19 cases are expected to significantly rise in the coming weeks.
For more, stream KCBS Radio now.
Despite the troubling signs, Dr. Sara Cody, Health Officer and Director of Public Health for the County of Santa Clara, has decided against imposing any new coronavirus restrictions, she revealed in a press event Tuesday.
The seven day rolling average of reported COVID-19 cases in the county rose from 193 on April 3 to 589 on May 3, worrying experts.
"We came out of the difficult winter omicron wave and had a brief lull before seeing our numbers begin to slowly rise," said Cody. "The level of transmission in the community is currently on the rise, reminding us that unfortunately the pandemic is not over. And we expect to see new variants emerge and spread."
The uptick in cases was also observed in wastewater samples from across the county, as well as a rise in outbreaks and early signals that hospitalizations could be increasing.
So far, the county has no plans to issue new mask rules. "At this point in the pandemic, no one wants to issue restrictions," she explained.
Cody's attitude is seen reflected in officials across the Bay Area. Just last week, Oakland relaxed vaccine requirements for certain public spaces.
Despite the hesitation to tell residents to mask-up, Cody hopes Santa Clara County locals will take note of the growing risks of the pandemic and act accordingly.
"People need to take extra precautions and wear their masks indoors and be a bit more choosy about their gatherings," she advised.
LISTEN to KCBS Radio
FAVORITE KCBS Radio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Related
