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Case rates holding, hospitalizations increase
Sonoma County is experiencing COVID-related cases and hospitalizations at the highest rates since January of this year. The County’s case rate increased this week to 19.9 new daily cases per 100,000 (up slightly from 19), a test positivity rate of 6.1 percent (down from 7.7 ), an equity metric positivity rate of 8.1 percent (up from 7.7) and as of Tuesday, 84 COVID patients were in Sonoma County hospitals. This included more than 20 in ICU beds.
County Health officials say while cases are increasing in all age groups, the increase is highest in the 20-39 age groups, which have a lagging vaccination rate. Health officials also say that age group is more likely to attend gatherings where people are unvaccinated, which has resulted in community transmission because the Delta variant is so contagious.
Upcoming vaccine clinics in Sonoma Valley
As of this week, 72 percent of the County’s 12 and older population is now fully vaccinated, while just over 80 percent have received at least one dose. Vaccine appointments are plentiful, and anyone 12 years or older who wants one can get an appointment at one of the many clinics, pharmacies or health centers in the County — often the same day. Many are also accepting walk-in patients. Just go to MyTurn.ca.gov to find an appointment that works for you and find a list of local clinics on the Sonoma Valley Health Partner Website.
This Week’s Vaccine Clinics in Sonoma Valley:
- Saturday, August 21st, 12 – 3 pm at Sonoma Valley Community Health Center, 19270 Sonoma Hwy, Sonoma CA 95476. Walk-ins welcome. For questions call (707) 939-6070
- Wednesday, August 25th, 3:30 – 6:30 pm at Sonoma Valley Community Health Center, 19270 Sonoma Hwy, Sonoma CA 95476. Walk-ins welcome. For questions call (707) 939-6070
- Thursday, August 26th, 4 -7 pm at La Luz Center, 17560 Greger St., Sonoma CA 95476. Walk-ins welcome. For questions call (707) 939-6070
- Saturday, August 28th, 12 – 3 pm Sonoma Valley Community Health Center, 19270 Sonoma Hwy, Sonoma CA 95476. Walk-ins welcome. For questions call (707) 939-6070
Testing opportunities in Sonoma Valley this week
Find testing locations and make an appointment on the County’s testing page or call the hotline at 707-565-4667. The hotline is available to help residents sort through their many testing options in Spanish and English.
This Week’s Pop-Up Testing in Sonoma Valley:
- Sunday, August 22nd, 8 am – 2 pm, Boyes Hot Springs Park and Ride at Hwy.12 & Thompson Ave., Boyes Hot Springs, Walk-ins are limited due to high demand. To make an appointment: Visit the Curative website or call (888) 702-9042.
- Monday – Friday, 8 am – 2 pm at the Fiesta Plaza 18615 Sonoma Hwy., Sonoma, Walk-ins are limited due to high demand. To make an appointment: Visit the Curative website or call (888) 702-9042.
- Sunday, August 29th, 8 am – 2 pm, Boyes Hot Springs Park and Ride at Hwy.12 & Thompson Ave., Boyes Hot Springs, Walk-ins are limited due to high demand. To make an appointment: Visit the Curative website or call (888) 702-9042.
Booster shots recommended by CDC and California
Last week, the Food and Drug Administration authorized third doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for people with weakened immune systems and the Centers for Disease Control recommended them. The authorities decided those individuals, who make up fewer than 3 percent of Americans, merited extra shots because many fail to respond to the standard dosage.
Residents who qualify for a booster are encouraged to contact their primary care physicians to arrange with their doctor to get the third shot of vaccination or go to MyTurn.ca.gov to make an appointment.
The Sonoma Valley Community Health Center announced today that they will offer immunocompromised booster shots to those eligible beginning September 20th. At this time, people should not show up at a vaccine clinic and expect to receive a third dose.
This week, the Biden administration announced that they plan to begin rolling out Pfizer and Moderna booster shots, starting in late September. Some people will be eligible to get a booster shot eight months after receiving their second doses. Before Americans can begin to receive boosters, the FDA must first authorize the third dose of vaccines made by Pfizer and Moderna, and a CDC advisory committee must review the evidence and make recommendations.
It is expected that Johnson & Johnson vaccine recipients will also require an additional dose. J&J’s vaccine was authorized as a single dose. Federal officials are waiting for the results of Johnson & Johnson’s two-dose clinical trial; those results are expected this month.