News on the COVID front has been very good. Carlsbad Medical Center reports that only 15 people tested positive for COVID-19 out of their last 300 tests administered. There are currently seven patients at CMC hospitalized for COVID-19 – including four in the ICU. This is much lower than what the numbers had been a few weeks ago, though we will certainly keep these patients in our prayers. 

The school district reports a similar significant drop. The number of positive cases reported in a week ago through the schools was over 100. This week, it is expected to be below 10. The school does plan to keep its COVID-19 testing program set up at the former Edison Elementary for the time being. 

We’re so relieved to see such significant improvement, though we of course need to be cautious as we move forward. Services such as vaccination clinics and testing options will remain in place as we hopefully move past this. 

A vaccination clinic will continue to be offered at the civic center on Mondays. This clinic has been a great success story, because it has offered a consistent place and time for people who want vaccines to receive them. There were 86 vaccinations administered this past Monday. A total of about 10,000 COVID-19 vaccinations have been administered through this clinic alone. The next clinic date will be Feb. 28 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Vaccine hours may be reduced in March due to a decrease in demand. 

Additional home COVID-19 tests will also be available from 4-5:30 p.m. March 3 at the Carlsbad Beach area. 

From the office of Mayor Dale Janway