MAC Reviews COVID Updates, Watershed Maps
COVID concerns may seem like a thing of the past these days, but around 11 people per 100,000 residents in Alameda County are still testing positive daily, the Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) heard during an update at their meeting Monday night.
That puts the county in what the Centers for Disease Control consider a “low” community level positivity rate, but that numbers are likely to increase as we get into the winter months, according to Kimi Watkins-Tartt, Alameda County Public Health Department Director.
Watkins-Tartt updated the MAC on current COVID-19 and other respiratory infections. Currently, 86 people are hospitalized for COVID, with eight people in the ICU. There have been 495 COVID deaths in 2022 to date.
Watkins-Tartt said she understood that the public may be fatigued with virus news and that many people have effectively turned a corner in the pandemic, but still advised vigilance going into the holiday season.
“We have been using wastewater surveillance more and more,” said Watkins-Tartt. “Our wastewater data shows COVID increasing more and more. It remains to be seen if it’s a blip or a winter wave.”
She added that County health officials still recommend that everyone be vaccinated and boosted. Nearly a million Alameda County residents (69.7 percent) have received the first vaccines and a second booster but just 265,992 Alameda County residents (19 percent) have been fully boosted with the Bivalent shot.
“We really would like to see everyone vaccinated and boosted,” said Watkins-Tartt.
In Castro Valley, the vaccination and boost rate is slightly below the county average with 88 percent initially vaccinated and boosted and 18.8 percent having received the second booster.
Watkins-Tartt said that the same advice we’ve been hearing over the past two-plus years still stands as we gather with our families during the holiday season: if possible, keep gatherings small and well-ventilated (perhaps even outside), wear masks judiciously, stay home if you are feeling sick, and test.
MAC Chair Bill Mulgrew wished county health officials luck and hoped that COVID cases continue to dwindle as a sense of normalcy returns. Currently, the plan is for the COVID- 19 State of Emergency put in place by Governor Gavin Newsom to officially end on February 28.
“Godspeed,” said Mulgrew. “I hope the next time we see you, it won’t be under a state of emergency.”
The MAC also heard an update from the county Public Works Agency (PWA) Monday on a proposed watercourse protection ordinance update.
The key element of the update will be creating a new stream map. Previous maps had been in place for years, however, in 2021 the U.S. Geological Survey eliminated many previously designated streams.
As the ordinance develops, the key is finding a balancing act between human development and the natural ecosystem, according to PWA Director Daniel Woldsenbet.
Issues such as water levels, the rights and setbacks of property owners along the creeks, homeless encampments in the creek beds, and erosion must all be considered.
Several public speakers during the meeting stressed the importance of protecting the creeks and wildlife.
To see a copy of the Alameda County Stream Map, visit acfloodcontrol.com or to obtain a hard copy, visit the County Permit center at 399 Elmhurst Street, Room 141, Hayward.