LAKE COUNTY — The county is seeing an increase in the number of people getting the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, reported epidemiologist Sarah Marikos at the Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday. At the same time, the county’s two hospitals have been seeing an increase in the number of admissions related to the virus, according to a recent press release.
“With Lake County’s COVID-19 caseload reaching critically high levels, the Emergency Departments at Sutter Lakeside Hospital in Lakeport and Adventist Health in Clearlake have now been significantly stretched for more than a week,” the press release stated. “The Health Services Department has received reports some people with mild symptoms that can be associated with COVID-19 have continued to use local Emergency Rooms for COVID testing. Others have sought vaccination at our hospitals.”
Public health officials are concerned that the dwindling bed capacity at the hospitals may impact patients who have other serious conditions. “As a small, rural county, we have limited intensive care and emergency medicine resources,” said Lake County’s Acting Public Health Officer, Dr. Charlie Evans, in the press release. “They must be reserved for those in medical distress — those in need of immediate care. Over-utilization of these resources extends wait times, and delays care for those in the greatest need. At this time, we ask people with mild symptoms to contact their medical providers and nursing advice lines, rather than going straight to the emergency room. If you are in need of immediate medical care, go to the ER. However, if you are mildly ill, use alternative resources.”
Dr. Gary Pace, who resigned as Lake County’s Public Health Officer in April, co-presented with Marikos at Tuesday’s BOS meeting. He noted the need for bed space for non-COVID patients such as those who have a heart attack. Pace said, “Hospitals are filling up. A fair amount of capacity is being taken up by COVID patients. There’s not enough capacity for everyone.” He pushed for vaccinations and mask-wearing as protective measures.
Kim Lewis, a spokesperson at Adventist Health, said, “We care for our patients based on their needs. We have a 25-bed inpatient capacity, but can expand as needed. As we continue to treat patients with COVID-19, we would like to remind our community and neighbors of the important role we all must play. Getting vaccinated and following CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and state guidelines supports the health and well-being of community members and the physicians and nurses on the front lines.”
A call to Sutter Lakeside was not returned by press time.
Asked if a mask offered more protection than a vaccination, Pace said, “The COVID-19 vaccine is a protection against death or serious illness and a mask is a way to stop the spread of infection.”
Public attendees at Tuesday’s meeting primarily questioned the use of COVID-19 vaccines, the validity of PCR testing, and the fairness of the three-minute speaking limit given to the public.
The BOS Tuesday passed an ordinance requiring mask-wearing for employees and visitors in all county-operated facilities.
