Weekly report for December 10, 2021 | Latest news | County Administrator’s Office

Posted: December 10, 2021

The good news this week is that COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations have been relatively stable and we haven’t seen an increase in deaths in Sonoma County. However, being a winter virus, an increase in cases can be expected regardless of the variant, according to public health officials. We spend more time indoors where the virus spreads particularly quickly. People will be reuniting with family and friends during the holidays, which usually means an increase in cases within a few weeks.

To date, nearly 27% of newly eligible children in the county have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. School clinics are reporting high demand, which has helped the county’s pediatric vaccination campaign get off to a very encouraging start. The county’s top priority is to build on this momentum and get more of our newly eligible children immunized and protected.

Almost 83% of our eligible population aged 5 years and over is now fully or partially vaccinated and health officials remain focused on administering the first and second doses – and encouraging all eligible to receive a booster – in order to protect more people.

It remains an unvaccinated pandemic, with the unvaccinated accounting for most hospitalizations and almost all deaths. In Sonoma County, unvaccinated people are nine times more likely to be infected, 40 times more likely to be hospitalized, and 16 times more likely to die.

It is essential that we use our usual preventive measures to avoid an increase in cases and hospitalizations. We know what works. Get vaccinated and boosted. Wear a mask. Increase ventilation. Have it tested. Stay home if you are sick.

Today’s summary provides useful and important updates on the following:

1. Update on vaccine distribution for children aged 5 to 11

2. Update on Omicron variant
3. Update of testing schedule and vaccination clinic
4. Helpful Tips for Vacation Meetings, Travel
5. COVID-19 Community Resources and Support
6. Other news from Sonoma County

Youth Vaccine Distribution Update in Sonoma County

Sonoma County public health officials, doctors, health care clinics, schools, pharmacies and community groups continue to work together to educate families about the safety and benefits of the vaccine and to ensure that vaccines are distributed as quickly, safely and fairly as possible.

The county’s pediatric vaccination campaign is off to an encouraging start, as nearly 27% of eligible children aged 5 to 11 have received at least one dose. Parents are encouraged to contact their pediatrician or a local pharmacy to find a vaccine for their children. Pharmacy appointments can be made by
Montour.ca.gov.

More than 40 immunization clinics are held in designated schools across the county to serve people who do not have convenient or affordable access to health care providers.

A list of upcoming school clinics is available on the Sonoma County Office of Education website:

https://www.scoe.org/pub/htdocs/school_staff_immunization.html

Update on Omicron variant

While we are still dealing with the highly contagious Delta variant, no case of Omicron has been reported to date in Sonoma County. However, it is important to note that very little is yet known about the transmissibility, clinical presentation and severity of disease, risk of infection, and vaccine efficacy regarding the new variant.

This week’s COVID-19 community briefing included updates on pediatric vaccines and the Omicron variant. The briefing can be viewed in English on the county’s Facebook page and in Spanish on the county’s YouTube channel.

Community briefing on December 8 (English):

https://www.facebook.com/CountyofSonoma/videos

Community briefing of December 9 (Spanish):

https://www.youtube.com/c/CountyofSonoma

Upcoming Opportunities for Testing, Vaccination, and Recalls

The County Vaccination Clinics webpage is continually being updated to make it easier to see which clinics are operating each day, where they are located, and how to book an appointment.

Residents who need help making an appointment for a vaccination or test can contact the Sonoma County Testing and Vaccine Hotline at 707-565-4667 (4701 in Spanish).

Check out the vaccination clinics and appointments page here:
https://socoemergency.org/emergency/novel-coronavirus/vaccine-information/clinics/

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. Appointments are highly recommended as appointments are limited.

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.

For more details or appointments at COVID-19 testing clinics, including a pop-up testing schedule, please visit:

https://socoemergency.org/emergency/novel-coronavirus/testing-and-tracing/

Helpful Tips for Vacation Gatherings and Travel

People who plan to travel and attend gatherings while on vacation should make sure that they have the appropriate documents required by certain destinations, airlines and events to prove their vaccination or test status. According to CDC guidelines, unvaccinated people should avoid travel and vacation gatherings.

Getting vaccinated now is the best way to protect yourself, your family and friends from infection with COVID-19 and to prevent a further increase in cases as we witnessed over the holidays last year. .

Get a digital copy of your California vaccination record here:

https://myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov/

If you have lost your immunization card and your digital record gives you an error, ask your primary care provider for a copy of your immunization record.

More tips to protect yourself and others this holiday season:

https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/Tips-for-Protecting-Yourself-and-Others-This-Holiday-Season.aspx

COVID-19 Community Resources and Support

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