California COVID transmission is ‘substantial’: Here’s the latest in the Sacramento area

Major updates in coronavirus vaccinations came on two fronts this week: On Wednesday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson boosters, and the White House explained its plan for vaccinating kids between the ages of 5 and 11.

So where does the Sacramento region stand with COVID vaccinations as more people become eligible for boosters? Here’s a look at the latest numbers:

What are the latest COVID-19 numbers in the Sacramento region?

Sacramento County

More than 56% of Sacramento County residents, or 886,566 people, are fully vaccinated, according to Sacramento County Public Health’s COVID-19 dashboard. Another 79,741 individuals are partially vaccinated, according to the data.

Number of cases has trended downward since peaking in August, and the case rate — which is the seven-day average reflecting number of cases divided by population — is at 14.3 as of Oct. 17. That’s down from 46 in August. It was 63 last December.

More than 142,000 cases in Sacramento County have occurred in people who are not fully vaccinated. The County has reported 10,410 breakthrough cases, around 2,500 of which have been symptomatic breakthrough cases.

El Dorado County

In El Dorado County, 54.4% of the county’s population is fully vaccinated, according to the county’s COVID-19 dashboard. The county has given out 221,444 doses overall, according to California Department of Public Health data.

The county reported 17 new cases on Oct. 19, which again is down from August’s spike, when around 100 cases were being reported per day. The case rate in El Dorado County is 14, according to the county’s dashboard.

Placer County

More than 232,400 Placer County residents are fully vaccinated, according to the county’s COVID-19 dashboard. That translates to around 58% of the population. Placer’s seven-day average case rate is at 13.6. Forty-five new cases were reported on Oct. 18 and seven were reported on Oct. 19.

Yolo County

Nearly 57% of Yolo County residents are fully vaccinated as of Oct. 20, according to the county. The county reported 13 new cases on Oct. 18, down from a peak of 103 in August. The county reports it is averaging around 11 new cases per day.

Do I need to wear a mask?

Short answer: Yes. In all four counties, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reporting high community transmission, so CDC recommends everyone wear a mask in public, indoor settings. Overall, California is at a substantial level of community transmission after previously becoming the only state in the country to fall to a moderate level.

What’s up with boosters, third doses and vaccines for kids?

The Moderna booster — which is a half dose compared to the amount used in the first two shots — is now authorized for seniors and other groups at high risk from COVID-19. You can get a third Moderna shot six months after completing the original shot series.

Johnson & Johnson recipients can get a second dose at least two months after the original shot. President Joe Biden’s chief medical adviser, Anthony Fauci, on Sunday during an interview said the Johnson & Johnson vaccine should have been given as a two-dose series to begin with. The FDA also said people can mix brands for their boosters.

The Pfizer booster was approved for people over 65, people with underlying medical conditions and people living or working in high-risk settings in September. Like Moderna, those groups can get their next shot six months or more after completing the original series.

As for kids, the White House said its finishing a plan that will be ready when the FDA and CDC formally approve vaccines for kids under the age of 12. A CDC advisory panel is meeting from Nov. 2-3.

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