SAN DIEGO — Travelers are returning to San Diego from Thanksgiving weekend travel and experts say now is the time to be on high alert for an uptick in coronavirus cases. Hospitalizations are already at a record high in 33 states, and despite officials urging people not to travel and gather -- they say now is the time to quarantine if you did.
Health officials are urging anyone that traveled or gathered over the Thanksgiving holiday -- against CDC guidelines -- to get tested and quarantine for 14 days to avoid an even more significant surge in cases. Doctors say out of an abundance of caution, everyone should assume they have contracted the virus and act accordingly over the next two weeks.
“Typically, about two weeks after is what we see after holiday weekend celebrations because that's how long it takes for... well, it can take up to that long for someone to develop symptoms of COVID," Dr. Abbie Olulade with Sharp Rees-Stealy Healthcare said.
San Diego County has set new daily records of positive COVID-19 cases in the last week. That's why local and state leaders say it's pivotal that if you chose to travel and start to see symptoms, you get tested and quarantine immediately. They also warn to expect longer lines at testing sites after a surge in travel. Dr. Anthony Fauci says it's not too late to prevent a surge in positive cases by wearing your mask and continuing to physically distance yourself from others.
"We have to be careful now because there almost certainly is going to be an uptick because of what has happened with the travel," Dr. Anthony Fauci said.
There are now just weeks left before the start of another round of holidays that include Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Years'. Dr. Fauci is warning of several surges in positive cases and hospitalizations if people don't continue to do their part to stop the spread.
While the world waits for a safe and effective vaccine, the CDC is expected to announce their plan for distributing one this week. Moderna announced they will apply Monday to the FDA for authorization of a COVID vaccine with their data showing it's 94 percent effective.