In Santa Cruz County, 11 people have tested positive for the delta variant. Four are in the hospital, all of them are unvaccinated.Health officials from seven different administrations held a news conference Thursday.Their message is simple: Getting people vaccinated as quickly as possible is the fastest, most effective way out of this pandemic.At the beginning of this pandemic, there was a rush on vaccines that led to a shortage. Now, the opposite problems: plenty of supplies but fewer people getting inoculated.Santa Cruz County Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel reminded the community: “The news here is the pandemic is not over and I hope that is not news for anybody I’ve been clear about that from the beginning.”The number of cases is not overwhelming, 11 so far, with four hospitalizations but they are all unvaccinated individuals.Social media sites may also be responsible for vaccine hesitancy.Last week the United States Surgeon General called them out for supplying misinformation.”Calling on the tech greats and other sound media efforts to stop the bad misinformation which is literally leading to lives lost in the Country,” Newel said.Since Santa Cruz is a tourist destination there is concern about national and international visitors who are not inoculated potentially spreading the virus.”That does put our own community at risk especially those who remain unvaccinated so that’s one more reason to get vaccinated,” Newel said.Three Bay Area communities are being urged to require their employees to get vaccinations.Newel says Santa Cruz County is not going in that direction at this time, nor does she foresee the re-closure of businesses and schools.However, all health officials present Thursday stressed the need for the COVID-19 vaccine.”I cannot urge you strongly enough to take away that worry of getting super sick from the virus. Take away that worry about causing a loved one, a child who is not eligible for the vaccine,” said Dr. Nan Mickiewicz, President-CEO of Dominican Hospital.Friday there is a vaccine clinic happening at the Museum of Art and History, located on Front Street from noon to 4 p.m.
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. —
In Santa Cruz County, 11 people have tested positive for the delta variant. Four are in the hospital, all of them are unvaccinated.
Health officials from seven different administrations held a news conference Thursday.
Their message is simple: Getting people vaccinated as quickly as possible is the fastest, most effective way out of this pandemic.
At the beginning of this pandemic, there was a rush on vaccines that led to a shortage. Now, the opposite problems: plenty of supplies but fewer people getting inoculated.
Santa Cruz County Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel reminded the community: “The news here is the pandemic is not over and I hope that is not news for anybody I’ve been clear about that from the beginning.”
The number of cases is not overwhelming, 11 so far, with four hospitalizations but they are all unvaccinated individuals.
Social media sites may also be responsible for vaccine hesitancy.
Last week the United States Surgeon General called them out for supplying misinformation.
“Calling on the tech greats and other sound media efforts to stop the bad misinformation which is literally leading to lives lost in the Country,” Newel said.
Since Santa Cruz is a tourist destination there is concern about national and international visitors who are not inoculated potentially spreading the virus.
“That does put our own community at risk especially those who remain unvaccinated so that’s one more reason to get vaccinated,” Newel said.
Three Bay Area communities are being urged to require their employees to get vaccinations.
Newel says Santa Cruz County is not going in that direction at this time, nor does she foresee the re-closure of businesses and schools.
However, all health officials present Thursday stressed the need for the COVID-19 vaccine.
“I cannot urge you strongly enough to take away that worry of getting super sick from the virus. Take away that worry about causing a loved one, a child who is not eligible for the vaccine,” said Dr. Nan Mickiewicz, President-CEO of Dominican Hospital.
Friday there is a vaccine clinic happening at the Museum of Art and History, located on Front Street from noon to 4 p.m.