New outbreaks of COVID-19 in community settings (as opposed to nursing homes, etc.) continue to pop up throughout the region. Five new community outbreaks were confirmed July 7, bringing the seven-day total to 24, the highest number to date. To put this in perspective, the county’s trigger is seven outbreaks in seven days. In fact, our region has mostly exceeded that trigger since June 17.
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About community outbreaks
Not surprisingly, we are getting questions from our residents about the locations of these outbreaks and whether it’s safe to go to the types of settings where outbreaks have been identified. Here’s a little more information about outbreaks:
- An outbreak in a community setting is defined as three or more COVID-19 cases in people of different households.
- The five new outbreaks represent 137 cases, but since the outbreaks are still active, the figure might increase (so, obviously, outbreaks can be much higher than just three cases traced to a single location).
- Other than skilled nursing facilities, the specific locations of community outbreaks are not made public, but the county does contact tracing to notify people known to have been exposed. The county also provides sample letters and other materials to help businesses and other outbreak locations notify those potentially affected.
In terms of whether or not it’s safe to patronize businesses where outbreaks have occurred, please keep in mind that COVID-19 is known to be spreading in our community. That means whenever you leave home you have the potential to be exposed. The best advice is to act as if everyone you come into contact with could be contagious. Stay away from crowds, wash your hands, wear a mask and take all the other precautions recommended.
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Other outbreaks stats
There has been a total of 180 outbreaks countywide since the beginning of COVID-19. Almost half, 86, are now closed/inactive, and 94 are still active.
Out of the 94 current outbreaks:
23 have been in skilled nursing facilities
- There have been no new outbreaks in skilled nursing facilities since yesterday (2 outbreaks became inactive since yesterday)
- Outbreaks in skilled nursing account for 6% of total COVID cases
27 are in non-skilled nursing facilities
- No new outbreaks since yesterday
- Outbreaks in non-skilled nursing account for 7% (1,194) total COVID cases
44 are in community settings
- 5 new outbreaks since yesterday
- Outbreaks in community settings account for 4% (74) total COVID cases
Regarding the seven-day total of community setting outbreaks:
- 3 dropped off Tuesday
- 5 new were added (healthcare, restaurant/bar, gym, daycare and resort/spa settings)
Breakdown of community setting outbreaks by month
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How contact tracing works
When a person or “case” is confirmed, a case investigator from the county talks to the person who tested positive to find out about close contacts during the time the person was considered infectious. This infectious time frame is considered to be two days before symptoms appeared until the person was isolated at home. The people identified through this case investigation are known as the “contacts.”
The contact tracers focus on “close contacts.” That means having 15 minutes or more of close contact (within 6 feet) with someone known to have COVID-19. This may include:
- Household members
- Intimate partners
- People who had unprotected (without a face cover) direct contact with infectious secretions of a COVID-19 case, for instance, someone who was coughed or sneezed on.
- People who have been in a small, enclosed environment (such as a home, classroom, meeting room, restaurant, hospital waiting room, etc.) with the infected person.
- Healthcare workers and others providing care to individuals with COVID-19 may be considered contacts as well if they were not using the recommended personal protective equipment such as masks, gloves, or goggles or following proper cleaning recommendations for handwashing and disinfection of objects and surfaces
Once contacts are identified, a contact tracer will reach out to contacts to notify them of their potential exposure to a COVID-19 case. The contact tracer will ask the contacts about COVID-19 related symptoms they may be experiencing and if they have any underlying medical conditions. They will answer questions and provide information, including how the contacts can help protect themselves and others from COVID-19 and where they can go to get tested.
All contacts are asked to quarantine themselves for 14 days, starting with the last time they were exposed to the infected person. Some contacts who are essential workers may be given a modified set of quarantine instructions. All contacts are asked to check their temperatures twice a day and watch for symptoms of COVID-19, which may include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. If they develop any symptoms, they are advised to isolate themselves immediately and call their healthcare providers for medical advice.
Beware of scams
Unfortunately, criminals know that people may be expecting to hear from contact tracers, and they use this information to try to get your personal and financial information. Here’s a link to information about a
text messaging scam
involving contact tracing. As with any other time you hear from someone you do not know, do not give out your personal information, such as social security numbers, and never give out credit card or bank account information.
Other case numbers
Carlsbad had 12 new COVID-19 cases reported yesterday for a new cumulative total of 267. We estimate the number of active cases is 145. Overall our case numbers are among the lowest in the region per capita, but as you can see by the chart below, no longer the lowest. That distinction now belongs to Poway:
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The County overall reported 264 new positive cases yesterday and a 3% positivity rate (this is better than in recent days). The rolling 14-day average of positive tests compared to total tests is 5.8%, which is slightly lower than it has been. Here is a link to all
the
updated charts
from yesterday.
Triggers for increasing health restrictions
Here’s the latest dashboard of county triggers. The case rate has gone up a little, testing positivity is the same. Community outbreaks are up. The county has made good progress in increasing the percentage of case investigations that begin within 24 hours of a new case being reported. It had dipped to 57% and is now at 64%. The goal is 70%.
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Open Gym
If you’re looking for something new to keep you and your families busy, consider reserving time at one of the city’s three gyms. Now that we’re allowed to be open, we have set up a system to take reservations for individuals from the same households to book 45 minutes at a time on the basketball court. When you arrive, you’ll have half the gym all to yourself, separated by a curtain from the other side. To make a reservation, just call the gyms directly.
- Calavera Hills Community Center, 760-602-4680
- Stagecoach Community Center, 760-602-4690
- Pine Avenue Community Center, 760-434-5022
As a reminder, please do not participate in pick-up games, even though you’re outside. Heavy breathing and close contact are ideal conditions to spread COVID-19.
Until next week …
The county has not planned any more news briefings until next week, but if anything comes up, as always, we will have information on the city’s
website
and
social media channels
.
The City Council will meet next Tuesday after a couple of weeks of no meetings. The agenda will be posted to the
city’s website
by end of day tomorrow. It will include an update on the city’s overall response to the COVID-19 emergency and spending to date.
I hope you have an enjoyable weekend. Remember, the more each of us does to protect our own health and the health of others, the more quickly we can get back to a more normal way of life. Your actions really do save lives. Thank you for everything you have already done and continue to do to #Care4Carlsbad.
Scott Chadwick
City Manager
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