Though life has returned to what people might say are more normal activities since vaccinations and treatment of COVID have improved, the county is seeing an uptick- as they area across the state and country- of COVID related cases. On the weekly news segment on KNCO Dr. Scott Neeley, CEO and President of Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital says the number of cases is increasing.

However, on a more positive note, the data about vaccine effectiveness is also still strong.

The most current data reflects a 20-fold greater chance of severe illness, hospitalizations, and death if a person is not vaccinated. He also says the disease is transitioning more towards, what he explains as the endemic phase of a disease.

Health officials continue to recommend vaccinations, boosters, masking in public places, and social distancing to deter the spread of coronavirus.