LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County’s Public Health officer reported that several hundred local health care workers have now been vaccinated against COVID-19 as the vaccine rollout continues.
Dr. Gary Pace said Wednesday that COVID-19 cases are continuing to rise in Lake County.
“The hospitals are full, but fortunately, not yet overwhelmed,” he said.
On Wednesday, the county’s caseload totaled 1,819, with 1,568 recovered cases and 23 deaths, according to Public Health.
Public Health said 12 people are hospitalized, bringing total hospitalizations during the pandemic to 102.
“With the Christmas holidays behind us, and with New Year’s already here, now is the riskiest time for transmission; people are indoors, and many are gathering more than is advised,” said Pace. “The more precautions we take over the coming days, the less impact we will see in the next few weeks.”
Distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine began two weeks ago. Pace said the Health Department has so far received about 1,300 doses of vaccine, “and we are getting it out as fast as we can.”
Pace said Public Health is following the California Community Vaccine Advisory Committee priorities.
Those guidelines give priority to Phase 1a, which includes health care providers, first responders and staff at skilled nursing facilities.
He said the goal is to keep hospital staff, nursing home staff and medical first responders “healthy and able to work during the surge that we are in.”
Pace said more than 600 people in that group have been vaccinated so far.
Both local hospitals – Sutter Lakeside and Adventist Health Clear Lake – as well as emergency medical services and all three skilled nursing facilities have immunized most staff interested in getting the vaccine, and Pace said second doses will be administered in a few weeks.
Also in the first tier are In-Home Supportive Services workers serving multiple homes, Public Health field staff, primary care clinics, jail medical staff and some of the congregate living facilities such as skilled nursing facilities. Pace said some individuals in these groups have started getting immunized, and plans to expand to cover all who are interested should launch next week.
He said staff at other medical facilities – like specialty clinics, laboratory workers, dental clinics, and pharmacy staff – will be contacted in the next few weeks with plans, depending on how much vaccine the health department is able to obtain.
Pace said guidelines for the next tier, “Phase 1b,” are under development.
“Phase 1b” will include essential workers – such as teachers, law enforcement, farmworkers, food service and public transit – along with people older than 74 and those with chronic illnesses. Guidelines on how to prioritize this group are expected shortly.
“Precisely when and where ‘Phase 1b’ groups will receive the vaccine will become known as we see what supply is available, and how the state is guiding us to use it,” said Pace. “We will likely be setting up special vaccine clinics – with volunteer staff and our consistent partners, the EMS teams – and also work with pharmacies, clinics and hospitals.”
Pace added, “These next few weeks will likely be very challenging. Please take extra steps to be careful, but don’t lose hope. Things will almost certainly be better in a few months, and I think we can see the possibility of a more normal life in the spring and summer.”
Update on testing services
Pace gave updates on COVID-19 testing services in the county.
He said drive-thru COVID-19 testing will be available from Verily from Jan. 4 to 7.
Testing will take place in Clearlake from 9 a.m. to noon on Monday, Jan. 4, and Tuesday, Jan. 5.
In Lakeport, testing will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, Jan. 6, and Thursday, Jan. 7.
Register at https://www.projectbaseline.com/study/covid-19/ or call the Public Health Department at 707-263-8174.
Beginning Friday, Jan. 8, OptumServe’s new indoor testing sites will open.
In Lakeport, testing will take place from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays, at the Silveira Community Center, 500 N. Main St.
In Lower Lake, testing will be offered from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at the Lower Lake Town Hall, 16195 Main St.
Pace said both OptumServe sites will test children. Any insurance is accepted; if you have no insurance, there is no cost. You can make an appointment at https://lhi.care/covidtesting or by calling 888-634-1123. Walk-ins are also welcome.
Additionally, Rite Aid in Clearlake is providing drive-thru testing, with appointments made through Project Baseline.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
Lake County Public Health officer reports on COVID-19 vaccine distribution, continues to urge precautions
- Elizabeth Larson
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