By edhat staff
The Department of Public Health in Santa Barara County (PHD) has reported that the country may be able to move into the red level as early as Friday.
During Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors, Van Do-Reynoso, director of the PHD, outlined the changes in the “Blueprint for a Safer Economy” metrics that include the vaccination figures.
California has relaxed the thresholds of the color-coded levels that allow more sectors to reopen, based on the number of COVID-19 vaccines administered in communities hardest hit by the virus.
The state uses the Healthy Places Index (HPI), which uses various data points, such as economy, education, housing, etc. Which determines the health results. California’s 1,650+ zip codes were split into four quarters based on the HPI index. In general, the higher scores are associated with higher household incomes and lower scores with lower incomes.
When California reaches 2 million vaccinations in HPI Quarter 1, the highest “widespread” press level will move from 7 cases per 100,000 population to 10 cases per 100,000. This means that if the 2 million milestone were reached today, Santa Barbara County would be eligible to enter the less restricted “substantial” red level.
As of Monday, the state has administered 1.875 million doses, making it possible to meet the 2 million mark Friday or early next week due to the current amount of vaccine distribution. Dr. Do-Reynoso calls it ‘great news’ and states that the allocations will then take place the next day instead of having to wait until Tuesday.
The next threshold is the 4 million vaccinations, which then increase the “moderate” orange level, allowing a 2 – 5.9 case per 100,000 compared to the previous 1-3.9 threshold.
As of Tuesday, Santa Barbara County has an expected 9.7-adjusted case per 100,000 population, up from 10.9. This puts the country in the purple level until the state reaches the threshold of 2 million vaccinations. The current positive test is 3.6 and health equity is 5.1, both of which meet the requirements for the red level.
Vaccination attempts
Santa Barbara County received a 39% increase in COVID-19 vaccines this week, including the new Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Last week the province received 9,080 and this week received 12,580 doses.
The country follows the guidelines of the state on the distribution model 70/30. People aged 65 and over receive 70% of the vaccine stock, while other sectors receive 30%. Of the 30%, about 33% of the vaccine appointments are open to educators, 31% to food and agriculture, 16% are a hybrid of food / care and emergency services due to a combination clinic, 15% to child care staff and 5% to medical emergency services.
PHD is awaiting guidance from the state on when it can reduce the age limit to 65 and drop it further.
Public health officer, Dr Ansorg, also said that the hesitation of vaccination of competent nursing staff has become much better. Last month, it was reported that only 30% of staff in this sector were vaccinated with the majority worried about the side effects of vaccines and false rumors posted on social media.
Dr. Ansorg reported that now 70-80% of all skilled nursing staff in the country have been vaccinated. He attributes this increase to educational outreach and people who feel more comfortable watching their peers get the vaccine.
Supervisor Das Williams expressed his concern about people wanting to cross the line to get the vaccine, remembering that there are people who are still at risk of dying from the virus.
“I urge people not to use the return to normalcy as their main motivator, but still think about the health of the bar and think about getting economic activity and economic survival priority going. And ‘the biggest one for me is our schools and our children’s well-being, and learning, and ensuring the future of mental health before we get motivated by getting rid of the hassle,’ Williams said.
New CDC recommendations
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued new interim recommendations for people now fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
As it turns out, people who are fully vaccinated can visit indoors with other people who are fully vaccinated, without a mask or distance. People who are fully vaccinated can visit non-vaccinated people from one household with a low risk of serious complications, indoors and without masks and distance. People who have been fully vaccinated may refrain from quarantine and testing after being exposed to a known COVID-19 positive person who has been asymptomatic.
People who have been fully vaccinated should:
- Continue to wear masks and physically distance yourself in public, when visiting with unvaccinated people who are at increased risk, if you are visiting with unvaccinated people from multiple households.
- Avoid medium-sized personal gatherings
- Get tested if you show COVID-19 symptoms
- Still following the guidance of employers
- Follow CDC and local PHD travel restrictions.
COVID-19 Numbers
Santa Barbara County filed its first COVID-19 case on March 15, 2020, almost one year ago. Dr. Do-Reynoso said the province has since experienced peaks and valleys with two significant boom periods.
The first surge took place in May 2020 and the second in December 2020 / January 2021, the last of which was the largest and longest during the pandemic. Since January 13, 2021, the country has experienced a downward trend.
From 22 February to 8 March 2021, active cases decreased by about 40%, which is ‘really good news’, said dr. Do-Reynoso said.
The province’s first death occurred on April 4, 2020 and since then, 424 members of the community have died due to COVID-19. Over the past two weeks, deaths have increased by 7%. During the same period, hospitalizations decreased by 38% and the intensive care unit (ICU) decreased by 12%.
As of this week, 71,851 provincial residents have been vaccinated. Of these, 50% were completely vaccinated.
More information can be found at https://publichealthsbc.org/status-reports/