OC Health Care Agency Urges Residents To Enjoy Holidays Safely

ORANGE COUNTY, CA — Orange County residents were asked to play it safe while gathering with loved ones this holiday season, after the OC Health Care Agency issued a strong recommendation Wednesday for proactive COVID-19 testing, boosters and masking indoors.

The announcement was issued in response to the growing cases of the omicron COVID-19 variant nationwide, the agency said in a news release.

The OC Health Care Agency strongly encouraged Orange County residents to take the following precautions:

• Get full vaccinated against COVID-19 or receive your booster shot today. Fully vaccinated residents were urged to receive their booster shot as soon as they are eligible. Those who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 should immediately get vaccinated. The Orange County Health Care Agency hosts frequent mobile COVID-19 vaccination clinics. To see if there is a clinic near you today, visit the agency's Twitter.
• Get tested for COVID-19 before and after gathering or traveling. The agency suggested that everyone, regardless of vaccination status, should test 24 hours before and three to five days after gathering or traveling. Testing allows for early detection of the illness, and reduces the likelihood that the affected person spread the illness to someone else, the agency said. At-home COVID-19 test kits are being distributed at John Wayne Airport in Terminals A and C, free of cost. They are also available to order for free online by visiting the agency's website.
• Mask up indoors, Orange County. The agency said universal masking indoors is again required regardless of vaccination status from Dec. 15 to Jan. 15, 2022 in order to slow the spread of COVID-19. Residents were advised to consistently and correctly wear a mask whenever indoors that offers good filtration to get the best protection. For frequently asked questions about the Golden State's universal masking mandate, visit the agency's website.

Lastly, the agency reminded Orange County residents to take COVID-19 safety precautions throughout the holiday season. This means limiting large and indoor gatherings, keeping a safe distance from others, and — of course — washing your hands thoroughly and regularly.

“This is a critical time for us to use all of the tools we have available to prevent COVID from surging and potentially straining our county’s healthcare capacity,” Deputy County Health Office Regina Chinsio-Kwong said in the news release.

“Although breakthrough infections in people who are fully vaccinated may occur given the emergence of Omicron, the vaccine still reduces the risk of severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths. We strongly encourage all of our county residents and visitors to get fully vaccinated and to get their booster shot as soon as they are eligible. Every layer of protection makes a difference.”