Boosters, seeking primary and preventive care or treatment a must

A new analysis of recent local COVID-19 deaths reinforces the need for renewed attention to medical care and recovery treatment, and broader adoption of COVID booster shots.

On Feb. 25, Marin County Public Health’s weekly COVID-19 death report revealed 15 additional deaths, resulting in a total of 24 residents that have died from COVID-19 complications between January and Feb. 12 of this year. While the Omicron variant caused less severe disease than earlier variants, its higher rate of infectivity drove up hospitalization and death rates in Marin. Hospitalization rates were highest among unvaccinated and unboosted residents but were also high for older adults with underlying medical conditions and persons with lifestyle habits that put them at higher risk of adverse outcomes, including death.

“It’s not uncommon to see an increase in deaths linked to a surge,” said Dr. Lisa Santora, the County’s Deputy Public Health Officer. “We generally see a time lag in hospitalization and death rates after a spike in COVID-19 cases. What is different this time around is that the highly contagious nature of the Omicron variant raised the death toll higher than past waves. Fortunately, high vaccination and booster rates protected our community from greater losses.”

Of the deaths included in the report, the majority were adults, ages 75 or older, with severe comorbidities or “end of life” from a clinical perspective, meaning they had been on hospice or comfort care over the last three to five months. Deaths are to be expected among this group due to elderly adults having higher risk factors when at the end of their lives. On average, Marin County sees about five “end of life” deaths every day. However, in this situation, the Omicron variant has accelerated the death rate for these vulnerable adults.

Three of the newly reported deaths were among residents under the age of 70 years old who did not have full vaccine protection or had known risk factors. Research has shown that poor COVID outcomes, including hospitalizations and deaths, are linked to lifestyle diseases including obesity, diabetes, smoking, and substance use disorders. Prolonged exposure to modifiable lifestyle behaviors, including smoking, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and excessive alcohol use damages the immune system and weakens a body’s immune response to infection.

“The takeaway message to stay vigilant on booster shots and stay focused on our community’s recovery from the pandemic,” Santora said. “Many adults have been in isolation, which can be mentally and physically devastating. Check on your neighbors and relatives, help them see their doctor, catch up on deferred medical care, or find the treatment assistance they need. These factors can be hidden behind closed doors but can be a recipe for severe illness when co-mingled with Omicron or future variants.”

Vaccines are safe and effective in preventing severe illness due to COVID-19. Over the course of the Omicron surge, COVID-19 case rate among unvaccinated individuals was nearly 4.5 times higher than those who were up to date (boosted). Unvaccinated people were 17 times more likely to be hospitalized for COVID-19 and eight times more likely to die of a COVID-related illness. Notably, those who were boosted were nearly 50% less likely to be infected than those who were fully vaccinated.

As of Feb. 25, only 73% of booster-eligible Marin residents have received a booster. Boosters are a critical tool to blunt the force of potential future COVID-19 waves.

Marin County Public Health releases updated COVID-19 death data each Friday and has a two-week lag to account for processing time. Recent deaths and hospitalizations are reviewed by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to identify deaths and hospitalizations due to COVID-19, with incidental cases removed. View Marin HHS’s COVID-19 Case Disposition dashboard on its COVID-19 surveillance and data webpage.

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