With a slight increase in the rate of new cases of coronavirus and the test positivity rate, Santa Barbara County remains at the significant red level of the state’s coronavirus framework, the director of public health, Van Do-Reynoso, said during the meeting of the Board of Supervisors shared Tuesday.
“Even though we only have a little over a week of increasing cases in our country, we are sounding the alarm because it is a wrong trend,” Do-Reynoso said. “We need to continue with our safety practices so that we can reduce matters and move to the orange level.”
In the latest assignment, Santa Barbara County reported an adjusted 6.8 daily business rate, a 2.7% test positivity and a 5.1% test positivity rate. All three criteria have increased since the previous level assessment.
“We think the increase could be the result of reopening,” Do-Reynoso said. “We are seeing the pandemic shift across the country and nationwide towards young, unvaccinated people who are more mobile and possibly more social.”
According to Do-Reynoso, the province is experiencing a greater number of cases among 20-year-olds and young adults who identify themselves as college or college students.
There is also a steadily increasing proportion of cases in those working in the ministry or management industry, and so the province classifies most office workers and residents of the white province, Do-Reynoso said.
On Tuesday, California reached its second vaccine target to distribute 4 million doses to severely affected communities, defined by 400 specific zip codes across the country, and will now make it easier for counties to progress to less restricted levels. and reopen additional businesses.
“Unfortunately, we are still in the red level and have been since March 16,” Do-Reynoso said. “We have not met the orange level criteria at the moment, even though it has been broadened.”
Although the province’s test positivity rate and the positivity rate of health equality tests both meet the orange level requirements, the adjusted rate of 6.8 falls above the extensive statistics of 6 cases per day per 100,000 population. The country must meet all three of the criteria for two consecutive weeks before moving on to the orange level.
“We still have some work to do,” Do-Reynoso said.
As of Tuesday, there were 33,381 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the entire province and 185 are still considered contagious.
The state allows larger meetings and plans to eliminate color-coding system in June
Government Gavin Newsom said on Tuesday that the color-coded level system would be eliminated in June, assuming the rate continues to fall and vaccinations increase nationwide.
“We can say with confidence by June 15 that we can open cases as usual,” with masked wear and “constant vigilance,” he said.
The detailed blueprint for a safer economy has existed since August 2020 and grants restrictions based on the new coronavirus case and the testing of the positivity rate of each country.
Until then, the level system and its limitations will remain.
Last week, the state updated the guidelines for rallies, allowing larger groups than has hitherto existed in public health orders.
Santa Barbara County remains in the red level of global blueprint for a safer economic framework for reopening. (Photo of the State of California)
Below the red level and from April 15, social and informal outdoor gatherings are allowed with a capacity of 25 people, without the need for a defined guest list or proof of testing and vaccination, Do-Reynoso said.
Indoor gatherings are still strongly discouraged, but are allowed with a maximum capacity of 25 people in institutions where capacity constraints exist, or up to three households or 10 people where capacity constraints do not exist, she added. No food is allowed at these events.
Do-Reynoso, also on April 15, may operate all live event and performance venues at a maximum capacity of 25% if all guests are tested. Venues with a capacity limit of up to 1500 people may work at a maximum capacity of 10% or 100 people, and venues with a capacity of more than 1,500 are allowed to work with a capacity of 20% if all guests are tested and provide proof of full vaccination, according to Do-Reynoso.
From 15 April, private events will be allowed with a maximum capacity of 50 people outside the red level, or a capacity of 200 if all guests are tested or provide proof of full vaccination. According to Do-Reynoso, private indoor events can accommodate up to 100 people if all guests are tested or provide proof of full vaccination.
“We are pleased with the accuracy and thoroughness of what is being proposed,” Do-Reynoso said. “We are confident in the guidelines issued by the state and we are ready to review our health officer order to reflect the new state leadership.”
Vaccination Status in Santa Barbara County
According to the province’s Community Data Dashboard, 17.7% of the country’s population was fully vaccinated as of Monday.
Through the federal partnership for health resources and services administration, the country received 14,760 doses of the vaccine this week to allocate to the province’s five health centers, Do-Reynoso said.
“It is with this award that we can support our large community vaccination sites,” she added.
The Department of Public Health was able to administer 8,314 first doses to community residents last week through the Lompoc Vaccination Clinic, Do-Reynoso said, hoping to give 9,150 doses to the Allan Hancock College Clinic this week.
According to Do-Reynoso, an additional 7,530 vaccination appointments are available at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort (formerly the Fess Parker Hotel) for the community vaccination clinic. Appointments will be posted here on the country’s website, if available.
In addition to the federal grant, the Department of Public Health received 4,900 doses of vaccinations this week, Do-Reynoso said, adding that the department received a late grant of $ 500 from the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Due to the large availability of vaccines, Public Health has determined that everyone aged 16 and over is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine at clinics offered in the province, which offers the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, Do-Reynoso said. said and added that the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are only approved for 18-year-olds and older.
Those 16 years and older can now begin vaccination at Santa Barbara County community clinics, clinics at Lompoc Valley Medical Center or other clinics from April 15 or so until next Monday, Do-Reynoso said.
MyTurn, Do-Reynoso said, says the state has a fixed deadline to complete the transition to the centralized COVID-19 vaccination system. The new system should be fully implemented by April 15, and the first clinic in Santa Barbara County will use MyTurn on April 16, according to Do-Reynoso.
Future first-dose clinics or the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be scheduled by MyTurn.
The state recently amended the MyTurn application to give the province the opportunity to upload a spreadsheet of appointments for lead-in clinics, Do-Reynoso said, adding that the feature should be available by the end of the month.
“This feature will be a great tool for us as we move mobile clinics to serve unique neighborhoods and populations in our community,” Do-Reynoso said.
The Department of Public Health recommends that residents be vaccinated, even if they have tested positive for the virus.
“Recent studies indicate that even just one dose of the vaccine can overload antibodies, even if you are recovering from COVID-19,” Do-Reynoso said. ‘The vaccine offers you better protection against infections against the variants now in circulation.
“In short, getting vaccinated is a safer way to create protection than getting infected.”
– The author of Noozhawk staff, Jade Martinez-Pogue, can be reached (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Get in touch with Noozhawk on Facebook.