LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace said more Lake County residents have received the COVID-19 vaccine and the case rate is showing improvement.
“Fortunately, it appears Lake County’s rise in COVID-19 cases that started in November has begun to improve,” Pace said Friday.
Lake County was up to 2,748 total cases on Friday, with 32 deaths.
Statewide, California passed 40,000 COVID-19 deaths on Friday, with more than 3,273,600 cases, according to information posted by Public Health departments in all 58 counties.
Pace said Lake County’s daily case rate remains very high, at 61 out of 100,000, so there is still a strong likelihood of coming into contact with the virus when visiting out in the community and doing things like visiting busy stores.
He said test positivity is beginning to decrease and on Friday was at 12.2 percent.
“Hospitals are not nearly as full as they have been for the last several weeks,” he added.
Lake County remains in the state’s purple tier, the most restrictive on the Blueprint for a Safer Economy. In that tier, indoor dining remains prohibited; only outdoor dining is allowed.
Regarding the county’s vaccine distribution effort, Pace said that so far approximately 3,500 Lake County residents have been vaccinated over the past month and a half.
Pace said the Lake County Health Department received 800 doses of vaccine this week – up from 300 to 400 weekly in recent weeks – and will get another 800 next week.
“Given the continuing shortage, prioritization remains necessary. Vaccination of school staff will be complete by the end of next week. Vulnerable elders are a focus, as well,” Pace said.
According to 2019 estimates, Lake County has 5,300 residents aged 75 and above and 9,100 residents aged 65 to 74.
“We continue to move vaccine out into the community, sharing doses with clinical partners and vaccinating people at standup sites in Lakeport and Clearlake, with the aim of using up all vaccine we receive each week,” Pace said.
Pace said accelerating the rate of immunization remains a primary focus. “We are advocating to get significantly more doses, and making preparations to accommodate further vaccination clinics.”
He said Public Health is not making appointments for the general public at this point; those in eligible categories are being contacted to schedule.
“Please do not show up at our sites without an appointment. You will not get a vaccine,” he said.
Senior centers are reaching out to the most vulnerable people they regularly serve. Pace said not to call the senior centers as it’s not an effective way to get an appointment.
If you or a loved one are in an eligible group and you haven’t been contacted, Pace said to reach out to your medical provider.
For information on vaccines and clinics, visit http://health.co.lake.ca.us/Coronavirus/Vaccines.htm, call 211 or text covid19 to 211-211, or call the MHOAC line at 707-263-8174.
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