COVID Dashboard: Boosters Targeting Omicron Widely Available as Bay Area Transmission Hits “Low” Level

News of the week

The current state of COVID in the Bay Area is a far cry from just a few months ago.

transmission of covid reached the “low” level in all Bay Area counties, except Marin and Sonoma, which are in the middle level. BART will lift its mask mandate effective October 1.

Masking, the primary tool used to slow transmission for most of the last three years, is slowly becoming entirely voluntary. Still, you’ll probably carry one around most places whether you think you need it or not.

Locally, cases continue to decline. The county has recorded 491 active cases according to Monday’s update from the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency., 114 less than last Monday. No new deaths were reported locally, with the county’s pandemic total remaining at 273.

The updated booster targeting Omicron is now widely available locally at pharmacies and healthcare providers.

Walgreens is booked out about a week in advance at Scotts Valley and Santa Cruz locations, but has openings at its Freedom location as early as tomorrow. Safeway County locations now have wide immediate availability, and CVS County locations have plenty of open time slots, as long as you plan a week in advance.

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The three test sites to treat Santa Cruz County are still operational. Click here to find the nearest location.

Currently, Paxlovid is the drug available, showing an 89% reduction in hospitalizations and deaths, and it must be taken within five days of the onset of symptoms to be effective.

Vaccinations and precautions are always highly recommended.

The easiest way to make an appointment for a second booster is at local pharmacies, including Rite-Aid, CVS, and Walgreens.

Kaiser Permanente and Sutter Health are still administering second boosters to eligible beneficiaries.

See our links below for quick access to relevant websites.

Masking rules

Neither the State of California nor Santa Cruz County currently requires indoor masking. For county public schools, since March 11, masks are optional but highly recommended.

As of April 10, masks are no longer required for most indoor environments at UC Santa Cruz facilities, although highly recommended. Masks will still be required for public transportation on campus, in early childhood education service centers and in clinical settings.

On April 19, the Santa Cruz Metro lifted its mask mandate for vaccinated passengers, following a federal judge’s ruling that mask mandates are not required on public transportation.

The last figures

How does Santa Cruz compare to California and the United States when it comes to vaccinations? Where are the most recent COVID cases in the county, and how does that compare to the population? Here is the most recent data.

As of Monday, there were 605 active cases recorded by the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency. This does not include unreported rapid tests performed at home, so this number is not accurate.

The pandemic death toll remained at 273.

Where can I find a vaccine?

At this point, vaccines are widely available throughout the county. They are free for everyone, insured or not.

Since March 31, second booster shots are available for people aged 50 and over as well as for immunocompromised people aged 12 and over. Where who received Johnson & Johnson as the primary series and booster doses.

Rite-Aid, CVS, Horsnyder Pharmacy, Westside Pharmacy and Walgreens currently offer second boosters.

Those wishing to get vaccinated through their primary care provider should check the company’s website, as availability may vary.

health care providers

You can schedule appointments for initial doses and booster injections. Below are local health care providers who offer the vaccine.

Permanent Kaiser
866-454-8855
Sutter/Palo Alto Medical Foundation
844-987-6115
Dignity Health
831-288-6526
CruzMedMo
831-241-7501
Emeline Health Center
831-454-4100

Pharmacies and supermarkets

Most county pharmacies have appointments for COVID-19 vaccines available in the future. Click on the pharmacy of your choice to make an appointment.

Safeway
Rite-Aid
SVC
Walgreens
Costco
Horsnyder Pharmacy and Medical Supplies
Westside Pharmacy

get tested

The sites below offer free PCR testing through LHI.care. Turnaround time is usually three to five days.

Mountain Community Resources
6134 highway. 9, Felton
Freight depot building
119 Center Street, Santa Cruz
Watsonville Test Site
500 Westridge Drive, Watsonville

The table below lists additional testing resources in Santa Cruz County. However, almost all require an appointment.