COVID-19 Status Update for 01/06/2023

Marin County COVID-19 Status Update for January 6, 2023 includes: Post Holiday Bump; At-Home Test Expiration Extension; Monitoring Developments in China; and updated local COVID-19 data.

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The Marin County COVID-19 Status Update is published weekly and as needed to share important news and resources related to the COVID-19 pandemic response. We remain here for you.

Post-Holiday Bump in all Winter Viruses in Marin

Wastewater samples from January 4 confirm that over the Christmas and New Year’s holidays winter virus activity increased in Marin. Compared to the prior week, wastewater levels for COVID-19, Influenza, and RSV increased by 19%,13% and 88%, respectively. Flu and RSV levels had been declining through late December. COVID-19 wastewater levels continue their upward trend, to the highest measured levels since wastewater sampling was initiated in 2021. Marin County Public Health will be monitoring hospitalization rates closely to determine the impact of this trend on incidence of severe illness. This is a reminder that the risk of infection in our community remains high and is increasing. The best protection remains the vaccine. Please refer to our main COVID Surveillance page to view updated wastewater dashboards for COVID, Flu and RSV.

At-Home COVID-19 Test Expiration Dates Extended

The expiration dates for at-home QuickVue COVID tests provided by Marin County Public Health, have been extended four months. For example, those with expiration dates in February now expire in June. To confirm expiration dates, check the FDA handout: Quickvue At-Home OTC COVID-19 Test (fda.gov). In addition, the California Department of Public Health endorses the use of all FDA approved over-the counter COVID-19 Tests beyond their original expiration date. To ensure your at-home test has not expired, follow these three easy steps. One, take the test. Two, wait the allotted time per the test instructions. Three, watch the control line appear. The visible control line indicates a good test. If the control line is not visible after waiting the instructed time, then the test has likely expired.

Monitoring Developments in China

China recently ended its "Zero-COVID" policy and reports indicate widespread surges in COVID cases and hospitalizations. While data are limited, it’s possible that millions of residents may be newly infected over a short interval, as the virus moves through previously unexposed and under-vaccinated populations. Booster vaccine access in China has been low. Genomic data suggests the BA.5 variant, which dominated in Marin through the summer and fall, is driving surges in China. The impacts on the global pandemic remain uncertain and will be monitored closely. Starting yesterday, January 5, the CDC is requiring travelers to the U.S. from China to show proof of a negative test.

Know your COVID-19 Community Level

The CDC’s COVID-19 Community Levels are a tool to help communities decide what prevention steps to take based on the latest data. Levels can be low, medium, or high and are determined by looking at hospital beds being used, hospital admissions, and the total number of new COVID-19 cases in an area. Take precautions to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 based on the COVID-19 Community Level in Marin or other community in which you live, work or visit.

Location	Todays’ COVID-19 Community Level:	Suggested Prevention Steps:
Marin County	MEDIUM	Stay up to date on vaccination, including recommended booster doses. Maintain ventilation improvements. Avoid contact with people who have suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Follow recommendations for isolation if you have suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Follow the recommendations for what to do if you are exposed to someone with COVID-19. If you are at high risk of getting very sick, wear a high-quality mask or respirator (e.g., N95) when indoors in public If you have household or social contact with someone at high risk for getting very sick, consider self-testing to detect infection before contact, and consider wearing a high-quality mask when indoors with them. If you are at high risk of getting very sick, talk with a healthcare provider about additional prevention actions.

People may choose to mask at any time. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask.

COVID-19 Data Update:

Below is just a snapshot of local COVID-19 data. Find a more in-depth analysis of COVID-19 trends on the Marin Data & Surveillance webpage, our Data FAQ, or Marin County's Open Data Portal.

Data sets updated weekly (published on Fridays) include:

COVID-19 vaccination rates
COVID-19 cases & deaths among facility staff and residents
Weekly/Cumulative count of COVID-19 deaths among Marin residents
State COVID-19 Data

Status updates are now published weekly on Fridays. “Change from Last Status Update” accounts for 7 days of data, unless noted otherwise (view past status updates).

COVID-19 Case Data	Today’s Report	Change from Last Status Update on 12/30/2022*
Total Confirmed Cumulative Cases	44,065	+ 150
“Active Cases” (Confirmed in Past 10 Days)	219	- 17
Total Cumulative Deaths	273	+ 0
Current COVID-19 Hospitalizations	28	- 3
Current COVID-19 ICU Patient Census	3	- 1

* Change from last Friday.

COVID-19 Vaccination Data	Today’s Report	Change from Last Week
Percent of Marin residents vaccinated with at least one dose	98%**	N/A**
Percent of Marin population who have completed vaccine series.	93.2%*	+ 0.0%
Percent of Marin residents who have received a Booster/3rd Dose	69.4%*	+ 0.1%

* * As population estimates may not be precise, the proportion of vaccinated people in any group will be displayed up to, but not higher than 98%.

* Note that this percentage is out of all Marin residents including children younger than 6 months.

Residential Care & Skilled Nursing Facility COVID-19 data:	Today’s Report	Change from Last Week
Positive Patients at Facilities cumulative	2,467	+ 33
Positive Patients at Facilities current	29	+ 3
Positive Staff at Facilities current	17	+ 8
Facility Patient Deaths	172	+ 0
Facility Patient Deaths as percentage of all COVID+ deaths	63%	+ 0.0%

State COVID-19 data:	Today’s Report	Change from Last Week
California Confirmed Cases	10,888,090	+ 46,708
California Deaths	97,757	+ 281

Resource Link Library

What to do if...

You’ve tested Positive | You’ve been exposed to someone with COVID-19

Online Resources

Stay Informed

COVID-19 Status Update for 06/02/2023