Marin County Public Health Status Update for May 24, 2024, includes Wastewater Monitoring for H5N1 Bird Flu Begins in Marin; Play Marin: Health Equity in Action; Vaccines Shield Against Long COVID; CalFresh and Food Insecurity in Marin; and COVID-19 Data Update.
The Marin County Public Health Status Update is published weekly to share news and resources related to pandemic response and recovery, emergency preparedness, and other public health priorities.
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Wastewater Monitoring for H5N1 Bird Flu Begins in Marin
Marin County Public Health is closely monitoring the national H5N1 bird flu outbreak that has impacted birds, livestock, and, rarely, humans. Starting May 20th, Marin County wastewater is being tested twice weekly for the presence of H5N1. In the first week of sampling, no H5N1 was detected. The presence of the virus in wastewater is interpreted in the context of other data regarding animal and human health and may not mean human infections have occurred. The risk to the public remains low. For more information, visit the CDC’s H5N1 Bird Flu: Current Situation Summary
Play Marin: Health Equity in Action
For children, play and physical recreation are critical to a healthy mind and body and help set the stage for lifelong wellbeing. Ensuring access to healthy and fun summer camps for children across Marin is a matter of health equity. Play Marin is a Marin City-based program that offers children from different backgrounds and races a chance to play and have adventures together. To learn more about enrolling children in camps or to support Play Marin, visit their website. Paul Austin, Play Marin’s founder, explains the mission in the Play Marin Introduction Video
Vaccines Shield Against Long COVID
A recent study of over 150,000 Americans diagnosed with COVID-19 found that those who were vaccinated were less likely to develop long COVID. During an average 151-day follow-up, vaccinated people had significantly lower incidence of long COVID-19 outcomes, including sensory, cardiovascular, and skin changes. This suggests that communities, like Marin County, with higher vaccination rates may experience reduced demand for long COVID related healthcare and a healthier workforce.
CalFresh and Food Insecurity in Marin
Making ends meet in Marin isn’t always easy, and some of us need assistance to ensure good nutrition for ourselves and our families every day. Because food insecurity increases risk for a wide range of health problems, food access is a health equity priority. CalFresh provides monthly benefits for purchasing food for lower income residents. The number of Marin residents enrolled in CalFresh increased from 9,182 to 15,684, between 2019 and 2024. Still, more of us are eligible, and all of us should know where our next meal is coming from. If you know someone who might qualify for CalFresh, apply online at https://BenefitsCal.com or call 877-410-8817 to have an application mailed.
COVID-19 Data Update
Below is 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.
| Actively Circulating Variants | JN.1, KP.2 |
|---|
| Marin County COVID-19 Hospitalizations | Today’s Report |
|---|---|
|
Hospitalized Patients |
5 |
|
ICU Patients |
0 |
| Settings Experiencing Outbreaks | Today’s Report |
|---|---|
|
Long-Term Care and Congregate Living Facilities |
4 |
|
Schools and Childcare |
1 |
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