Public Health Status Update for 02/21/2025

Marin County Public Health Status Update for February 21, 2025, includes Flu Season; Bird Flu and CDC Delays; Empowering LGBTQ+ Youth to Connect, Create, and Thrive; Take Space to Pause; Children’s Dental Health Month; Trust in Public Health; and Marin Respiratory Virus Surveillance.

The Marin County Public Health Status Update is released on the 1st and 3rd Friday of each month to provide news and resources concerning public health priorities.

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Flu Season

Flu levels are high in Marin, and Covid-19 levels are rising. With students returning from winter break, we expect another uptick in respiratory virus transmission. The CDC has reported 68 pediatric deaths for the 2024-25 flu season. Influenza-related hospital admissions have surged, particularly among children aged 5-17. If you haven’t already, it’s not too late to get your updated 2024-2025 flu and COVID-19 vaccine to help prevent severe illness and hospitalization. It’s important to also take other precautions, like staying home when sick, washing hands regularly, and wearing a mask in crowded spaces.

Bird Flu and CDC Delays

While flu, bird flu, and measles outbreaks continue nationwide, the CDC has delayed releasing critical data and analyses, including missing reports and health alerts. Scientific and health communications are essential for healthcare and public health professionals to respond effectively and safeguard our community. Marin County Public Health will regularly update our Avian Flu website (https://www.marinhhs.org/h5n1-bird-flu) to improve communication, information sharing, and strengthen local response efforts.

Empowering LGBTQ+ Youth to Connect, Create, and Thrive

The newly formed Marin LGBTQ+ Center is announcing its first youth program, QNest, for LGBTQ+ youth (ages 13-25). QNest offers a creative, supportive space for youth to collaborate, build skills, and work on community projects. Activities include weekly meetups, special facilitator nights, and community days. The first meeting will be held on March 6, 2025, via Zoom. For more information or to register, contact the founders, Mila and Lara, at meliaschev@multiculturalmarin.org.

Take Space to Pause

It's common for teens to feel overwhelmed when dealing with built-up emotions like anxiety, anger and sadness. To help feel them feel in control of their emotions, they can take a pause and activate their “calming system” through steps like deep breathing, thinking through it and talking with friends they trust. Learn more about CDPH’s Take Space to Pause campaign.

Children’s Dental Health Month

On February 25, the Marin County Board of Supervisors will honor February as Children’s Dental Health Month with a Board Resolution. Dental disease is the most common preventable chronic disease in children, impacting their ability to learn, socialize, and thrive. The Marin Oral Health Program and Advisory Committee reduces dental disease in Marin children by providing school-based oral health education and dental screenings. Community water fluoridation (CWF) has been a core public health strategy for preventing dental decay in central and southern Marin County since 1973. With RFK Jr.’s appointment as the Secretary of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Marin County Public Health will be monitoring directives that affect federal and state CWF guidance and laws.

Trust in Public Health

A recent report from the Kaiser Family Foundation shows that trust in public health and the agencies that protect our health is steadily declining. This trend began in 2020 when fear and anxiety led to the politicization of the emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Social media also played a part by spreading rumors, creating echo chambers, and radically changing how we form our opinions. Despite these challenges, Marin County Health and Human Services remains steadfast in our commitment to improving health and wellbeing through data-driven, science-based, transparent, and collaborative strategies with our community partners and residents. Learn more about our strategic approach to building a more equitable and resilient community.

Marin Respiratory Virus Surveillance

Find in-depth analysis of viral activity at Marin COVID-19 Surveillance and Marin Influenza and RSV Surveillance webpages. Marin County Public Health has aligned local reporting with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) respiratory illnesses data monitoring and CDPH Weekly Respiratory Report.

Respiratory Virus Surveillance Site Trends and Levels

Virus Type	COVID		Influenza		RSV
Levels and Trends	Level	Trend	Level	Trend	Level	Trend
All Sites Combined	Minimal	Increasing	High	Increasing	High	Plateau
Central Marin/San Rafael*	Low	Increasing	Very High	Increasing	High	Plateau
Marin (Las Gallinas)	Low	Increasing	High	Decreasing	High	Increasing
Marin (Novato)	Minimal	Decreasing	High	Increasing	High	Plateau
Marin (Sausalito-Marin City)	Minimal	Decreasing	High	Increasing	Moderate	Decreasing

*The Central Marin/San Rafael service area includes the cities of San Rafael, Corte Madera, Larkspur, Ross Valley, and Fairfax.

Resource Link Library

Public Health

CDC’s Respiratory Virus Guidance provides practical recommendations and information to help people lower risk from a range of common respiratory viral illnesses.

Vaccine Locations | Vaccine Information | Free COVID-19 Testing

Community Supports and Services

Information and Assistance: Call (415) 473-INFO (4636) or visit Marin County's Online Community Resource Guide

The Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) Access Line: Call (415) 473-6666.

Help is available. 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Public Benefits

BenefitsCal.com is a one-stop-shop to apply, renew, or manage health care coverage, food assistance, and cash aid.

Marin County Coordinated Entry System for Persons Experiencing Homelessness

Individuals: Call (415) 473-HOME (4663)

Families: Call Homeward Bound of Marin at (415) 457-2115

Stay Informed

Public Health Status Update for 03/21/2025