The arrival of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine will make it easier to vaccinate against San Diegans against the virus.
The unique vaccine has reached the region and is distributed in the same way as the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.
Some people were reluctant to receive the latest COVID-19 vaccine, as it was 72% effective in research studies in the United States, compared to about 94% for Moderna and 95% for Pfizer after they needed two doses.
However, health officials say the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is as effective as its counterparts in preventing serious COVID-19 disease and has been tested against virus variants. Also, all currently available vaccines have been 100% effective in preventing hospitalizations and deaths during studies.
“San Diegans should receive any of the available vaccines when it is their turn to get vaccinated,” said Wilma Wooten, MD, MPH, a county public health officer. “All three vaccines are great at preventing people from getting seriously ill with COVID-19.”
Local vaccination sites currently offer vaccine for San Diegans in phase 1A and phase 1B. Supplies remain limited.
“Regardless of the blow you get, you will be protected from the serious complications of COVID-19 and you will be able to protect others who are waiting their turn to be vaccinated,” Wooten said.
Vaccination progress:
- More than 1.15 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been delivered to the region, and more than 1.04 million have been registered as administered. Of those vaccinated to date, nearly 342,000 people, or 12.7% of San Diegans aged 16 and over, are completely immunized.
- In total, more than 643,000 county residents received at least one vaccine shot with two doses. This represents 23.9% of those eligible.
- The difference between the doses given and those used in a vaccine is about what is expected to be given in the next seven days and the doses to be entered into the registration system.
- More information about the distribution of vaccines can be found on the county dashboard. For details on currently eligible groups and vaccination opportunities, visit vaccinationsuperstations.dom.
State values:
- The state-adjusted case rate in San Diego County is currently 10.8 cases per 100,000 residents (as of March 2), and the region is at Purple or Tier 1 levels.
- The percentage of test positivity is 4.2%, placing the county in level 3 or Orange level. While the test positivity rate for the county qualifies it for level 3, the state uses the most restrictive value – in this case, the adjusted case rate – and assigns counties to that level. Therefore, the county remains at the Purple or Tier 1 level.
- The value of county health equity, which analyzes the positivity of testing for areas with the lowest health conditions, is 6% and is in the red level or level 2. This value does not move counties to more restrictive levels, but it is necessary to advance at a less restrictive level.
- The California Department of Public Health evaluates counties on a weekly basis. The next report is scheduled for Tuesday, March. 9.
Community outbreaks:
- No new community outbreaks were confirmed on March 7.
- Four community outbreaks were confirmed on March 6: two in business settings and two in retail settings.
- No community outbreak was confirmed on March 5.
- In the last seven days (March 1 to March 7), 24 community outbreaks have been confirmed.
- The number of Community outbreaks remains above the trigger of seven or more in seven days.
- A community outbreak is defined as three or more cases of COVID-19 in a setting and in people from different households in the last 14 days.
Testing:
- 9,770 tests were reported to the county on March 7, and the percentage of new positive cases was 3%.
- The average continuous percentage of 14 days of positive cases is 3.2%. The target is less than 8.0%.
- The daily average of 7 days of tests is 12,835.
Cases, hospitalizations and admissions to the ICU:
- 307 cases were reported to the county on March 7. The total for the region is now 263,275.
- 13,259 or 5% of all cases required hospitalization.
- 1,613 or 0.6% of all cases and 12.2% of hospitalized cases had to be admitted to an intensive care unit.
Deaths:
- No new deaths were reported with COVID-19. March 7 The total of the region is 3,390.
- Five deaths from COVID-19 were reported on March 6.
- Three men and two women died between January 28 and January 30.
- Of the five deaths, one person who died was 80 years of age or older, two people who died were 70 years old, and two were 60 years old.
- They all had underlying medical conditions.
- 14 COVID-19 deaths were reported on March 5.
- 10 men and four women died between January 16 and March 4.
- Of the 14 deaths reported on March 5, four people who died were 80 years old or older, six were 70 years old, one was 60 years old, two were 50 years old and one was 40 years old.
- 12 had underlying medical conditions and two did not.
More information:
More detailed summaries of the data found on County coronavirus-sd.com website are updated daily around 17:00.