COVID-19-related hospitalizations are steadily rising, both in San Diego and across the nation.
The county has reported nearly 300 hospitalizations in the past 30 days, with unvaccinated individuals making up the bulk of those affected.
As ICUs continue to fill up, health officials are urging increased preventative measures to limit the growing spread of the virus.
Dr. Ghazala Sharieff is the chief medical officer for Scripps Health.
"We're seeing a trend, not just in the breakthrough cases, but in the younger age groups," Sharieff said. "Which means that we do have to get that vaccination rate up again."
Sharieff joined Midday Edition on Thursday to discuss the growing trend.