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Sonoma County remains in the “orange” tier in the state’s framework. California and Sonoma County are on track to fully reopen by June 15, if hospitalizations stay low and Californians continue to get vaccinated. When California fully reopens the economy, the state will move beyond the Blueprint for a Safer Economy. Common-sense health measures such as masking will remain across the state.
This week, the County has 3.4 new daily cases per 100,000 (needs to under 2 to move to yellow tier), a test positivity rate of 1.7 percent and an equity metric positivity rate of 1.6.
Want to help Sonoma County get into an even less restrictive tier and fully reopen by June 15th? Keep up the good work by continuing to follow the mitigation measures we are all now so familiar with – wear your mask, keep your distance, practice good hand hygiene, limit gatherings and consider getting tested for COVID-19.
Vaccine Distribution
Sonoma County reached a key milestone this week – over 400,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have now been administered to eligible Sonoma County residents. As of Wednesday, about 60 percent of Sonoma County’s adult (16+) population have received at least one dose of the vaccine.
As of April 15th, all residents 16 and older are now eligible for vaccination.
Health officials caution that not everyone who wants to get vaccinated will be able to secure an appointment right away, but those interested should register now with www.myturn.ca.gov or call 1-833-422-4255.
County of Sonoma Vaccine Stand-by Form
Pop Up Testing Opportunities in Sonoma Valley This Week
County health officials recommend that everyone who goes into public – even if they don’t have any symptoms and/or have been vaccinated for COVID-19 – get tested at least once per month and those who regularly interact with the public get tested twice each month. The County of Sonoma continues to increase access to free COVID-19 testing, find options in Sonoma Valley below or visit socoemergency.org/test for a complete list.
- MONDAYS, 10 AM – 4 PM at St. Leo’s – Curative | These tests are self-administered oral tests. Watch Curative’s instructional video in English and Spanish to find out what to expect. Appointments can be made up to 4 days in advance on their website.
- WEDNESDAYS, 2 PM – 4 PM at St. Leo’s | Weekly testing at St. Leo’s Catholic Church on Wednesdays from 2 PM – 4 PM. Appointments can be made online at https://sonomacounty.fullslate.com/locations/12058. Click here to watch a Spanish language tutorial on how to make an appointment online.
- FRIDAYS, 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM at Sonoma Valley Church of the Nazarene | Weekly testing at Sonoma Valley Church of the Nazarene on Fridays from 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM. Appointments can be made online at https://sonomacounty.fullslate.com/locations/14818. Click here to watch a Spanish language tutorial on how to make an appointment online.
- 2/3 Days a Week, 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM, LHI Mobile Unit at Vintage House | The LHI bus will be at Vintage House from Friday (4/23) through Sunday (4/25). The bus will not be at Vintage House the week of April 26 – May 2 but will return the following week. Registration for the self-administered nasal swap test is required. Make an appointment online at https://lhi.care/covidtesting or by calling (888) 634-1123
“Breakthrough” cases of COVID-19 – Evidence that vaccines are effective at reducing worst outcomes, a reminder of why we must keep following safety protocols after vaccination
Breakthrough cases are a way of describing people who are fully vaccinated who then contract COVID-19. There have been 43 such cases reported in Sonoma County to date. Dr. Urmila Shende, Sonoma County vaccine chief, reports that the 43 cases represent .05 percent of those fully vaccinated in the County and are a good reminder that nothing is 100 percent.
The local cases have provided more evidence that vaccines are very effective at reducing the worst outcomes – hospitalizations and death – as the breakthrough cases almost always have mild symptoms as a result, if any symptoms at all.
The cases also are a reminder of why it is important to keep following safety protocols after we are fully vaccinated.
State Guidance for Informal Social Gatherings and Private events
In last week’s update, we covered some of the changes to the state’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy reopening framework for gatherings, private events or meetings such as receptions or conferences, and indoor seated live events and performances now in effect. This week, we have more detail about informal social gatherings and private events below.
Informal Social Gatherings are defined as social situations that bring together people from different households at the same time in a single space or place.
- Allowed outdoors with a maximum of 50 people.
- Indoor gatherings are strongly discouraged but are allowed with a maximum of 25mpercent capacity in settings where capacity limits exist or 25 people or whichever is fewer.
- No defined guest list required.
- No testing or vaccination required.
- If gathering indoors, increase fresh air circulation by opening windows or doors, as much as possible, especially in the rooms where people are gathering.
- If multiple gatherings are occurring, mixing between groups gathering is not allowed. Additionally, multiple unique gatherings cannot be jointly organized or coordinated to occur in the same public park or other outdoor space at the same time, as this would constitute a gathering exceeding the permitted limits.
- Food and drink should be limited to the outdoors.
- Food and drink indoors are strongly discouraged.
- While face coverings are removed for eating or drinking, individuals must stay at least 6 feet away from everyone outside their own household and put their face covering back on as soon as they are done with the activity.
- Food and beverages should be served by a person who washes or sanitizes their hands frequently, and who must wear a face covering.
- Gatherings should be two hours or less. The longer the duration, the risk of transmission increases.
Private events (meetings/receptions/conferences):
- Outdoors with a maximum of 100 people; if all attendees show proof of a negative test or full vaccination, then a maximum of 300.
- Attendance limits include all staff and volunteers working at the event.
- Indoors with a maximum of 150 people. All attendees must show proof of a negative test or full vaccination.
- Required mitigation measures: Purchased tickets or defined guest list; seating chart/assigned seating; no intermingling of multiple private events.
- Private event operators must allow for at least two hours between events to prevent mixing across attendees.