Santa Barbara Health Alert: Doctors Urge Vaccines as New COVID Strain Looms This Fall
Patricia Martellotti
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Fall has officially arrived — and with it, doctors in Santa Barbara County are already seeing more patients with coughs, colds, and early signs of flu.
“We’re starting to see more of the you know, kids back in schools or upper respiratory infections,” said nurse practitioner Ashley Henderson of Cottage Health Urgent Care.
“runny nose and coughing fever they are very easily spread through the air,” said public health officer Dr. Henning Ansorg of Santa Barbara County.
Ansorg says wastewater data shows virus levels remain low right now — but that could change fast as families spend more time indoors.
“When somebody sick and there you know, sneeze and cough and to speak, that’s enough to actually spread the virus,” said Ansorg.
The newest COVID booster targets the XFG variant now spreading nationwide.
“Therefore, four times more protected than the old vaccine people who have had Covid vaccines in the past, I would strongly recommend to get the booster with the new one,” said Ansorg.
If you’re feeling chills, body aches, or fatigue doctors recommend staying home.
Henderson says they’re already seeing more patients with coughs and colds as kids return to school.
“I think we are slipping back to where people are a little more tempted to let me just still go to this social event still go to work still go to my sporting event, but it really does affect those around us,” said Henderson.
Health experts say the time to act is now — wash your hands, stay home when sick, and get vaccinated early to stay healthy through the holidays.
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