LAKE COUNTY
Drive-To COVID-19 testing, vaccination available through Public Health starting this week
As announced during Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting, Lake County’s Daily Case Rate has reached 50/100,000, the highest in the State of California by a significant margin. It should also be noted this figure removes the customary seven-day lag in reporting, so the actual case rate for the most recent period may end up being even higher, once further test results become available. Testing positivity has increased to 17.4%, dramatically up from the 1% rate documented in mid-June.
Lake County’s significant increase in cases is very likely attributable to multiple factors. Infections that have resulted in the uptick began around June 15, the same timeframe during which the State of California removed the masking requirement for vaccinated individuals.
Including those that are currently ineligible (children under age 12), around 42% of Lake County residents have been vaccinated. Although masking is still mandatory in most indoor settings for those that have not been vaccinated, anecdotally, the percentage recently observed without masks in Lake County’s retail establishments and other indoor venues has been higher than 42%.
Additionally, the Delta Variant, which has been documented in Lake County, contains 1,000 times the viral load of the “mother virus,” as discussed by Dr. Charlie Evans, Lake County’s Acting Public Health Officer, during this morning’s COVID-19 Update for the Board of Supervisors. This is certainly a contributor, as well, to the rise in cases since mid-June. Two Delta Variant cases were documented in late June.
Bottom line, the COVID-19 pandemic is not over, and it is critical that residents get vaccinated and exercise preventive measures, particularly in the face of the high infection rate we are seeing right now. Frequent handwashing, physical distancing and masking are effective. These measures are essential for us to reverse current trends. We have a critically high case load, and must work together to take immediate action.
Precautions are particularly important for those that are unvaccinated. Earlier this month, the State of California reported unvaccinated individuals account for 99% of new infections since January 1.
Public Health to offer drive-to testing, vaccination by appointment starting this week
Lake County Public Health encourages you to contact your healthcare provider if you need COVID-19 testing or vaccination. Additional Lake County resources are available at http://health.co.lake.ca.us/Coronavirus/Testing.htm and http://health.co.lake.ca.us/Coronavirus/Vaccines.htm.
Beginning this week, Lake County Public Health will offer Drive-To COVID-19 testing and vaccination
· Testing appointments available to all residents* Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 8:30am-11:30am
· Vaccination appointments available to residents 12 years and older* Mondays and Thursdays, 8:30am-11:30am
*Parent or guardian consent is required for minors.
Appointments are required for all services. Please call 707-263-8174 to schedule or for more information.
—Submitted
—Compiled by Ariel Carmona Jr.
