We are beginning to see some light at the end of the tunnel for this recent increase in COVID-19 cases. Omicron cases now make up 99.9% of all COVID-19 cases, nationwide. On average, over 700,000 new cases are being reported daily. A steady decrease in daily reported cases and COVID-19 related deaths are being seen across the country.

In Huntington Beach, an additional 1,909 COVID-19 cases have been reported in the last week, an 8% increase in cases, compared to an 11% increase from the prior week. In Orange County, an additional 46,196 COVID-19 cases have been reported in that same time frame. Those additional cases equate to a 9% increase in the last week, compared to a nearly 12% increase from the week before.

As I mentioned last week, free, at-home COVID-19 testing kits are now available through www.covidtests.gov. Every household has the opportunity to order up to four tests just by visiting the website and inputting your name and the residential address for where the tests should be sent to. Tests may take 7-12 days to ship, so be sure to order your tests in advance. As a reminder for anyone who may have purchased at-home COVID-19 testing kits, private insurance companies are being mandated by the federal government to reimburse those costs. Reimbursements are to be done through your health insurance provider. Please contact your provider if you wish to learn more.

I am hopeful that we will continue to see better and better news in the coming weeks. Wishing everyone a healthy and happy week, and I look forward to providing you with another update next week.