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Posted: October 1, 2021
This week, health officials are cautiously optimistic that the worst of the Delta wave is behind us. It remains an unvaccinated pandemic, with unvaccinated residents accounting for nearly all hospitalizations. As of Tuesday, 38 COVID-19 patients were in hospitals in Sonoma County, up from 84 on August 15, which is the lowest total since July 16. That includes 18 COVID-19 patients in intensive care beds, up from 24 on September 6. .
Fifteen COVID-related deaths were reported in September after 34 in August and 16 in July. The county reported one death from COVID-19 in May and four in June. Deaths typically delay hospitalizations by a month or more. Almost all of the 386 deaths from COVID-19 in the county are unvaccinated residents.
To date, a total of 690,484 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered to residents of Sonoma County. This means that almost 85% of our population aged 12 and over is fully or partially vaccinated. The state has released a new fact sheet, “Busting Myths,” to help educate residents who are reluctant to get vaccinated and continue to put themselves and others at risk.
Sixteen percent of eligible county residents have not received a dose to date. And children under 12 are not currently eligible to be vaccinated. This means that nearly 30 percent of our residents are not vaccinated. Sonoma County’s priority remains to give more first doses and vaccinate more people.
Breaking the Myths (English):
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/CDPH%20Document%20Library/COVID-19/Busting-Myths-with-facts-ADA.pdf
Breaking the Myths (Spanish):
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/CDPH%20Document%20Library/COVID-19/Translations/Busting-Myths-with-facts-ADA–es.pdf
This week’s summary provides useful and important updates on the following:
- Update on boosters
- New guidelines for safe public meetings
- Latest vaccines for 5 to 11 year olds
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In-person school status update
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Upcoming COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics and Extended Testing
- COVID-19 Community Resources and Support
- Other news from Sonoma County
- Emergency Preparedness Tips and Resources
Update on boost shots
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration last week authorized booster shots for people who received their second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at least six months ago and are 65 years of age and older, or ages 50 to 64 with some underlying medical conditions. People aged 18 to 49 who are at high risk for severe COVID-19 due to certain underlying medical conditions may also be reminded.
Some of the underlying medical conditions include:
- Hypertension and heart disease
- Diabetes or obesity
- Cancer or blood disorders
- Weakened immune system
- Chronic disease of the lungs, kidneys or liver
- Dementia and some disabilities
- Pregnancy
- Smoking, current or former
A full list is available here:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html
In addition, people aged 18 to 64 who are at increased risk of exposure due to their work or institutional setting may receive a booster injection. This includes health workers, first responders, teachers, postal workers, and food and agriculture workers.
Eligible residents must use Montour.ca.gov to find an appointment for a pharmacy callback. For those covered by Kaiser, Sutter or Providence, please contact your treating physician to determine your eligibility and make an appointment.
Myturn.ca.gov: https://myturn.ca.gov/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwwNWKBhDAARIsAJ8Hkhe_h6PnTqml1-iOMhs9_qLWeQtn_2PZYBm7GOXlN2wkeo2Lqn5NVwgaAkANEALw_wcB
New guidelines for holding public meetings
The Sonoma County health official recently issued a public health recommendation for safe public meetings. Online virtual meetings are highly recommended as they present the lowest risk of transmitting COVID-19. If a local agency decides to hold in-person meetings, it is recommended that the public be offered the option of attending through a call option or Internet service option. At in-person public meetings, masks are always required and six feet of social distancing is recommended.
Read the full recommendation for safe public meetings here:
https://socoemergency.org/recommendation-of-the-health-officer-public-meetings/
Vaccines for 5 to 11 year olds
A clinical trial of more than 2,200 children aged 5 to 11 who received the Pfizer vaccine showed favorable results for its safety and effectiveness for this age group. County health officials expect the vaccine to be FDA cleared for children aged 5 to 11 by the end of October or early November.
More information from the American Academy of Pediatrics:
https://www.aap.org/en/pages/2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-infections/children-and-covid-19-state-level-data-report/
In-person school status update
Sonoma County, working with the Sonoma County Office of Education, is implementing measures to keep our schools as safe as possible with the resumption of in-person instruction. There have been 451 cases of COVID-19 in schools across the county since classes began in August. Of these cases, 408 are students and 43 are staff.
This represents :
- 268 cases in primary schools
- 102 cases in colleges
- 79 cases in high schools
How COVID-19 cases in schools are handled is determined by the number of cases involved and the exposure. Clusters of three or more cases in a school are an indication that the spread may be occurring on campus. When cases do arise, exposure will be monitored through contact tracing and testing if necessary.
Universal masking means classrooms and schools will not be closed in a few cases through the use of a modified quarantine protocol and reporting when students or staff test positive for COVID-19. If parents do not feel comfortable with in-person instruction for their child, they can opt for an independent study program, which will vary by district.
Please visit the Sonoma County Office of Education for more information:
https://www.scoe.org/pub/htdocs/coronavirus.html
COVID-19 vaccination clinics and extended testing
The County Vaccination Clinics page is continually updated, including a pop-up calendar that makes it easier to see which clinics are operating each day, where they are located, and how to book an appointment.
Getting the vaccine remains our best defense against the worst consequences of COVID-19, including hospitalization and death.
Visit the vaccination clinics page here:
https://socoemergency.org/emergency/novel-coronavirus/vaccine-information/clinics/
In response to a growing demand for tests, the county health services department has increased its capacity to 17,000 tests per week. Appointments are highly recommended as appointments are limited.
For more details or for appointments at COVID-19 testing clinics, including a pop-up testing schedule, please visit:
https://socoemergency.org/emergency/novel-coronavirus/testing-and-tracing/
Sonoma County Testing and Vaccine Hotline To
707-565-4667 (
4701 in Spanish) for residents who need help making a vaccination or testing appointment.
If you have symptoms or have been exposed to someone suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19, you should be tested regardless of your vaccination status. Quarantine if you have been in close contact (within 6 feet of a person for a total of 15 minutes in a 24-hour period) with someone with COVID-19, unless you are fully vaccinated.
Fully vaccinated people do NOT need to self-quarantine after contact with someone with COVID-19, unless they are showing symptoms.
COVID-19 Community Resources and Support
More Sonoma County News
Emergency Preparedness Tips and Resources
- As we continue the fire season, be sure to know your official evacuation area. Click the link for Sonoma County here:
https://socoemergency.org/get-ready/evacuation-map/ - Reminder to prevent equipment from starting fires due to mowing lawns, trailer chains, or driving over dry grass or brush, or with low tire pressure. For more information on CAL FIRE Equipment Safety, please visit:
https://www.readyforwildfire.org/prevent-wildfire/equipment-use/.
- Hot weather is here and everyone is at risk for heat related illness. Stay hydrated, limit your time outdoors, and watch out for those susceptible to heat-related illnesses. Here are some tips for staying cool and preparing for a heatwave:
https://socoemergency.org/get-ready/local-hazards/heat-advisories/
- Defendable space is essential to improving your home’s chances of surviving a wildfire. It is the buffer zone you create between a building on your property and the grass, trees, shrubs, or any wilderness that surrounds it. Learn how to build a defensible space around your home:
https://www.readyforwildfire.org/prepare-for-wildfire/get-ready/defensible-space/ - Sonoma County strongly recommends subscribing to the following alert and warning systems:
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SoCoAlert – When signing up for SoCoAlert, choose to receive alerts through landline calls, cell phone text messages, or pre-recorded verbal and email messages. The system also works with telephones for the deaf.
- Nixle – Receive emails and texts from local police and fire departments that include public safety messages as well as emergency information. Text your zip code to 888777 to sign up or sign up online to receive email, text or voice messages with alerts and tips.
- Stay informed, subscribe to alerts on
https://socoemergency.org/receive-alerts/.
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