Thread by @CALonghurst

COVID (@UCSanDiego) Chronicles - Dec 27, 2021

1/ As predicted, the omicron variant continues to drive a huge surge in infections with over 14% of @UCSDHealth tests returning (+) the last few days, driving our 7-day rolling average to a record new high for the entire pandemic🦠

2/ We have not seen an impact on hospitalization @UCSDHealth yet, although this is always a lagging indicator. We do expect to see patients with omicron (especially unvaccinated patients) admitted for COVID in the coming days and weeks

3/ The majority of COVID cases diagnosed @UCSDHealth have been patients who are vaccinated, and many are boosted. Unfortunately, it seems unlikely the booster dose is providing additional benefit against omicron infection - we are analyzing our data now and will know more soon

4/ We do know that a booster dose continues to provided some protection against infection with delta, which is still circulating - several of my family members here in San Diego were diagnosed with delta in the last few days. The booster also helps protect against severe #COVID19

5/ The record number of patients with COVID has amplified the demand for monoclonal antibody infusions, which are needed for high risk patients. Fortunately the @UCSDHealth infectious disease team does a great job of prioritizing these patients

6/ We want @UCSDHealth employees to test regularly and are making self-testing available in our hospitals - I did it this morning! This uses the same process that @UCSanDiego developed for the Return to Learn program
👉returntolearn.ucsd.edu/return-to-camp…

7/ What to do with all of this news? Same as before - #GetVaccinated, #GetBoosted, wear a mask indoors, test frequently, and enable #CANotify.

Buckle up, it's going to get worse before it gets better.