COVID-19 West Coast variant concerns Santa Barbara doctors
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — California saw its biggest spike in COVID-19 cases during the winter holidays. Doctors believe California’s numbers were so high in part because of a West Coast COVID-19 variant, the C20 variant.
Infectious disease specialist from Cottage Hospital and Sansum Clinics, Dr. David Fisk, said the C20 variant is 20% more infectious than the normal COVID-19 strain. The variant is believed to have been originated in Santa Clara County. Now health experts found the C20 variant was the main version of COVID-19 spreading in Santa Barbara County in January and February. Now the U.K. variant is believed to be the main strain in Santa Barbara County.
“It’s around enough and prevalent enough that has lead to the federal government to take some action on how COVID is managed California, Nevada and Arizona,” said Dr. Fisk.
A positive is Santa Barbara County Public Health shows its 7-day average of new cases is trending downward. On Wednesday the county’s 7-day average of new cases was 23.4. The 7-day average peaked at 453.7 new cases on January 8. The last time the 7-day average was below 24 was Halloween eve, October 30.
While Santa Barbara County is currently in the 'Red Tier' of the state's reopening plan, Public Health experts are concerned the county will let up too early.
Nick Clay is Santa Barbara County’s Emergency Medical Services director. He encourages everyone to do their part by wearing a mask and practice physical distancing to prevent a fourth spike.
“At this stage, it only takes one weekend of Spring Break or folks getting nice weather and relaxing following those guidelines and we’ll end up sliding backwards,” said Clay. “We want to keep the momentum and really build on that and move towards the Orange Tier.”
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has the C20 variant listed as a variant of concern. They also have the U.K. and South African variants listed as variants of concern.
Cottage Health teamed up with UCSB to study different COVID-19 variants in Santa Barbara County. The purpose is to better know how to virus is moving in the county. Cottage Health infectious disease specialist, Dr. Lynn Fitzgibbons, said it will help the hospital care for patients, especially with the U.K. B.1.1.7 variant being so widespread in the community.
"We are seeing even more reason to get vaccinated," said Dr. Fitzgibbons. "Again B.1.1.7 matches up so very well against the vaccine. We really encourage people when it’s your turn, when you are eligible and when you’re able to get that precious appointment.”
Dr. Fitzgibbons continued, "We are seeing even more reason to get vaccinated. Again B.1.1.7 matches up so very well against the vaccine."
To see more from the Cottage Health and UCSB study, visit Santa Barbara County Public Health COVID Dashboard.
