Booster Recipients Surpass 900,000

Local vaccinations continue to increase, with north of 2.3 million Orange County residents fully vaccinated as of Thursday, Orange County Health Care Agency data suggests.

The number of booster recipients is also climbing, topping 900,000.

Hospitalizations are on the rise, with 724 current patients, representing the highest figure seen since last February.

According to the Los Angeles Times, at least nine hospitals in Orange County have set up surge tents to increase capacity. 

OC deputy health officer Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong urged the public not to come to the emergency room for emergencies only, and not to go there to receive a coronavirus test.

“Our hospitals are getting full,” Chinsio-Kwong told the Los Angeles Times. “Our ERs are getting full. So if you are looking for a test, if you have mild symptoms, please consider first a virtual appointment with your healthcare provider to not overwhelm the ERs even more because we really want ERs and urgent cares to really just take care of the urgent situations.”