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Moderna announces step toward updating COVID shots for fall

in Health

Moderna hopes to offer updated COVID-19 boosters in the fall that combine its original vaccine with protection against the omicron variant. On Tuesday, it reported a preliminary hint that such an approach might work.

Today's COVID-19 vaccines all are based on the original version of the coronavirus. But the virus continues to mutate, with the super-contagious omicron variant - and its siblings - the latest threat.

Before omicron came along, Moderna was studying a combination shot that added protection against an earlier variant named beta. Tuesday, the company said people given that beta-original vaccine combination produced more antibodies capable of fighting several variants - including omicron - than today's regular booster triggers.

Continue Reading on ABC7

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Asymptomatic people no longer need to quarantine after COVID exposure, California health officials say

in Health

The state of California has eased its quarantine requirements for those exposed to COVID-19 and are showing no symptoms.

The California Department of Public Health earlier this month released new guidance stating that those exposed to the coronavirus, and showing no symptoms, no longer need to quarantine for a minimum of five days, as was the previous requirement.

Continue Reading on CBS Los Angeles

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How sewage surveillance could aid public health beyond COVID

in Health

MODESTO, Calif. — One of Patrick Green’s first orders of business each day is to open a tap and fill a bottle with sludge.

A utilities plant operator in Modesto, a city of nearly a quarter-million people in California’s San Joaquin Valley, Green helps keep the city’s sewers flowing and its wastewater treated to acceptable levels of safety. But in recent months, he and his colleagues have added COVID-19 sleuthing to their job description.

At the treatment plant where Modesto’s sewer pipes converge, larger items, ranging from not-supposed-to-be-flushed baby wipes to car parts, are filtered out. What remains is ushered into a giant vat, where the solids settle to the bottom. It’s from that 3-feet-deep dark sludge that researchers siphon samples in their search for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID.

Continue Reading on PBS

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California unveils long-awaited standard for drinking water contaminant

in Health

California Monday proposed a long-awaited standard for a cancer-causing contaminant in drinking water that would require costly treatment in many cities throughout the state.

Traces of hexavalent chromium are widely found in the drinking water of millions of Californians, with some of the contamination naturally occurring and some from industries that work with the heavy metal.

The proposed standard is a major step in a decades-long effort to curtail the water contaminant made infamous by the movie Erin Brockovich, based on residents of rural Hinkley, California who won more than $300 million from Pacific Gas & Electric for contamination of their drinking water.

Continue Reading on Jefferson Public Radio

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Medical robotics company Noah Medical opens research centers in California

in Health/technology

Noah Medical announced today that it unveiled a new research and training facility and a research and development facility in California.

The 10,000 square foot research and training facility in Sunnyvale, California, and the 15,000 square foot R&D facility in San Carlos, California, will be used to pursue new medical robotics indications.

Continue Reading on Mass Device

CA ending indoor masking requirement for vaccinated people Wednesday; here’s what to know

in Around California/Health

California is ending the indoor masking requirement for vaccinated people on Wednesday as the state sees declining COVID-19 case rates and hospitalization numbers.

Los Angeles County residents, however, have to keep masking up indoors — regardless of vaccination status.

The statewide indoor masking requirement expires Tuesday, moving the state back to previous guidance that mandates face coverings only for unvaccinated people in all indoor public settings, like shops, gyms, bars and movie theaters.

Continue Reading on KTLA

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California launches ambitious effort to transform Medi-Cal to ‘whole person care’

in Around California/Health
Edward El, a CalAIM pilot program participant, will soon move into his own apartment after spending the better part of 16 years homeless. (Photo: Martin do Nascimento/CalMatters)

At 66, Edward El has a new lease on life — literally. In two weeks, he’ll move into his own apartment in Berkeley after spending the better part of the past 16 years homeless.

Years ago, a back injury and pinched nerves in his legs made standing and walking painful, and he was laid off from his construction job. He ended up in “shelter after shelter after shelter.”

But nine months ago, El moved into one of 12 Project Roomkey shelters in Alameda County designed to reduce COVID-19 among the homeless population. He was connected with a housing navigator, a counselor and medical staff. They helped El apply for affordable housing and rental assistance vouchers, and coordinated with landlords who would give homeless renters a chance. Now he’ll pay a fraction of the cost to live in an area where one-bedroom apartments often exceed $3,000 per month.

The team also made sure that El was enrolled in Medi-Cal and had transportation to his doctor’s appointments. He said he couldn’t have navigated the array of complex systems if it weren’t for his new case management team. “I’m happy. They knew about programs that I didn’t know about that allowed me to get a place,” he said.

Continue Reading on Red Bluff Daily News

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Guide to free COVID tests from federal government and sites across Sacramento region

in Health

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Free coronavirus test kits courtesy of the federal government are set to be available for order on Wednesday, Jan. 19 at covidtests.gov.

California and local county testing resources are also more accessible now after weeks of health care staff trying to keep up with increased testing demands.

Here's how you can get a free, or reimbursed, COVID-19 test in-person or straight to your door.

Free Federal Government Testing Kits

Because of expected high demand, each household can only have four tests shipped to their residence.  People can sign up at covidtests.gov.

The White House says “tests will typically ship within 7-12 days of ordering” through the U.S. Postal Service.  

People will need to request the tests well before they meet the guidelines for requiring them since USPS shipping times are at least 1-3 days. The tests should be ordered and kept until somebody in the household starts to feel sick with COVID-like symptoms.

Continue Reading on ABC 10

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Program to increase vaccine distribution in the San Joaquin Valley

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Rite Aid has announced it will soon be offering more opportunities for families looking to get COVID-19 vaccines and boosters.

The program is called Family Immunization Days, where no appointments are needed in select locations in Bakersfield, Merced, Turlock, and Visalia.

The dates and times are seen below:

Saturday, January 15, 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan 19, 10 a.m.- store closing time

Saturday, January 22, 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan 26, 10 a.m.- store closing time

These vaccine clinics will be offering 1st and 2nd doses, as well and boosters to all those who are eligible.

According to the program, families looking to get the flu shot can also receive it during their visit.

Continue Reading on KMPH

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Omicron variant spurs rush to get tested as kids return to school and parents return to the office

in Health

DAVIS, Calif. — With holidays ending, people going back to the office, and kids are going back to school Monday. As a result, the highly contagious omicron variant has people rushing to get tested.

Most testing sites in Sacramento County closed Sunday, but in Yolo County, lines wrapped around the building. 

Staff members at Healthy Davis Together said the lines were long with delta, and then omicron came along right during the holidays. It proved to be a recipe for long lines. 

"Since Dec. 27, Healthy Yolo Together performed more than 15,500 COVID-19 tests in Yolo County with a positivity rate of up to 6%. Compared with the same time period last month, Healthy Yolo Together conducted half as many tests with a positivity rate of less than 1%," said a spokesperson with Healthy Yolo Together. 

Continue Reading on ABC 10

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