***PRESS RELEASE***
SBC Public Health Encourages Residents to Protect Themselves Against Circulating Viruses
San Benito County, Ca.-Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Influenza (flu), and COVID-19 are on the rise, causing increased hospital visits in San Benito County and neighboring counties. COVID-19 has increased locally this week from a medium to high Community Level, also known as Community Transmission. With respiratory viruses circulating at high levels, concern is growing over keeping local healthcare accessible and our loved ones safe as we head into the holidays.
“The holiday season is also respiratory illness season. Respiratory illnesses can be serious for infants and older adults. It’s important to continue basic prevention steps like vaccination, frequent hand washing, and masking,” said Dr. David Ghilarducci, Health Officer for San Benito County. San Benito County Public Health Services, in alignment with California Department of Public Health, encourages everyone to protect themselves and others from severe illness and hospitalization by doing the following:
- Get Vaccinated and Boosted The flu vaccine and updated COVID-19 (Omicron) booster continue to be your best defense to limit severe illness and death—and you can get both at the same time. To schedule a flu and COVID-19 vaccine appointment, visit www.myturn.ca.gov.
- Stay Home if You’re Sick Staying home will help you recover faster and protect other people. Even though you may only have mild symptoms, the same infection may lead to more severe illness in others.
- Seek the Right Kind of Health Care Go to the Emergency Room if you have severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, intense chest pain, severe weakness, or persistent elevated temperature. Go to your doctor or an outpatient clinic if your symptoms are mild to moderate. If you test positive for COVID-19 and are at higher risk of severe illness, promptly contact your doctor or visit a test-to-treat site.
- Test Before You Gather Take a rapid at-home COVID-19 test before gathering, especially if you have family or friends who are at risk for serious illness.
- Wear a Mask in Crowded Indoor Places Masking at indoor public places can slow the spread of germs and protect infants and young children from RSV. There is no vaccine for RSV.
- Wash Your Hands Washing your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds is an easy and very effective way to reduce spreading germs.
For questions, call Public Health Services at (831) 637-5367 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
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