Santa cruz county covid11/24/2023 ![]() ![]() Case rates have been rising across the country, and especially along the Central Coast of California, since 2011. Separately, there was much concern about congenital syphilis, which occurs when a mother with syphilis passes the infection on to the baby during pregnancy and often results in serious birth defects. Newel said case rates and hospitalizations are currently very low. While the public health emergency ended in March, officials continue to monitor COVID with wastewater detection tools. However, rates have since dropped precipitously, with only 79,318 people or 28.8% of eligible residents being up to date with COVID vaccinations. She also said early vaccine distribution and administration efforts were a success, with 212,845 or 77.4% of the eligible county population receiving its primary series of shots, according to the California Department of Public Health. ![]() ![]() Newel lauded the community for its efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, saying the county had a much lower death rate compared to state and national averages and hasn’t experienced a COVID-related death since last November. Results were also mixed when it came to infectious disease trends in the county. Health officials are working to distribute Narcan – the reversal drug’s brand name – into the community and are especially targeting youth in this effort by collaborating at various school distribution events. The life-saving opioid overdose reversal drug naloxone can now be sold without a prescription thanks to a March ruling from the U.S. “The areas that have the highest opioid prescription rates are also struggling with the highest opioid overdose rates,” said Newel, “and that’s a trend that’s reflected nationally as well.” Opioid prescription rates are highest in North County areas including Scotts Valley, Felton and Brookdale. The county’s struggles with opioids, and fentanyl in particular, also struck a troubling chord.Īccording to the Santa Cruz County Coroner’s Office, five fentanyl-related overdose deaths were reported in 2019, followed by 19 in 2020, 41 in 2021 and 39 through September of 2022. “That was surprising to me and I think it’s one area we can think about and focus on more in the future,” said Newel. Smoking rates were also comparatively high, with 11% of adults in the county identified as smokers compared to 9% statewide and 16% across the country. “That’s excellent news for our county,” said Newel. Health outcomes, Newel explained, considers quantitative data such as mortality rates and birthing rates while health factors account for characteristics or attributes such as social and economic circumstances, educational offerings and the overall status of the local health care system. We’re in the top 10 counties in the state of California in both health outcomes and health factors,” said Newel. The 2023 County Health Rankings and Roadmaps report determined that Santa Cruz County is among the healthiest counties in the state – ranking No. The first annual State of Health in Santa Cruz County virtual town hall was hosted last week by Newel and other leaders from the Health Services Agency and began with some good news. ![]() SANTA CRUZ - In what is likely her final public event before retiring next month, Santa Cruz County Health Officer Gail Newel shared a comprehensive update on the overall health and well-being of the local community. ![]()
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