Para traducir esta página, desplácese hasta el final, haga clic en “Translate”, y seleccione su idioma.
Case rates and hospitalizations continued to decline this week in Sonoma County. The County reported a case rate this week of 8 new daily cases per 100,000 (down slightly from 8.2) – the case rate among the unvaccinated individuals is 13.9 per 100,000 compared with 4 for vaccinated residents. The county reported a test positivity rate of 2 percent (no change), an equity metric positivity rate of 1.8 percent (down from 2.1) and as of Tuesday, 19 COVID patients were in Sonoma County hospitals. This included 7 COVID patients in ICU beds, down from 84 on Aug. 15 and 65 a month ago. The unvaccinated account for most COVID patients in local ICUs. See the County’s updated Metrics and Trends page for the most up-to-date data.
Sonoma County plans to adopt an exemption to mandatory indoor masking in public settings
Sonoma County Health Officer, Dr. Mase told the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday that the County plans to adopt an exemption to the mandatory indoor mask mandate for certain indoor settings with “stable cohorts,” such as some workplaces, some gyms and fitness centers, religious gatherings, college classes or other organized regular gatherings, that involve fully vaccinated individuals could drop the mask mandate. Stable cohorts are groups of fully vaccinated people who gather regularly, whether at work or in other settings. No more than 100 people would be allowed under the guidelines and the owner/host/organizer would have to maintain a list, control access and verify everyone is fully vaccinated. The setting could not be accessible to the general public. More information will be available on the County’s website when the exemption is adopted.
Vaccine Updates and Clinics
As of this week, nearly 78.4 percent of the County’s 12 and older population is now fully vaccinated, while 85.5 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.
Sonoma Valley Hospital & Sonoma Valley community health center to hold online informational forums on Pfizer’s COVID vaccine for ages 5-11 expected to be authorized soon
Sonoma Valley Hospital and Sonoma Valley Community Health Center will host two virtual informational forums – On October 28th from 6 – 7 PM and November 3rd from 6 -7 PM – for patients, guardians and teachers who want to learn more about the Pfizer COVID Pediatric Vaccine that will soon be offered for youth ages 5 – 11 years. The forums, one held in English and the other in Spanish, will provide the most recent information available from the CDC and FDA and answer questions from the audience. The forum in English will be simulcast in Spanish, while the Spanish forum will be simulcast in English. Learn more on the Sonoma Valley Hospital website.
The Food and Drug Administration has scheduled a meeting on Oct. 26 to consider Pfizer’s request to authorize emergency use of its vaccine for children ages 5 to 11. A meeting of expert advisers to the Centers for Disease Control is scheduled for Nov. 2 and 3. The CDC’s recommendations are typically the federal government’s last word on vaccine policy. A decision is expected in early November.
Boosters Shots
The Food and Drug Administration authorized booster shots for some people who received their second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at least six months ago. Regulators have not made recommendations about boosters for the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines but are expected to make a determination soon.
Regulators have not made recommendations about boosters for the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines, but final decisions are expected soon. A key advisory committee to the FDA voted unanimously on Thursday to recommend a third dose of the Moderna vaccine for many of its recipients. The same panel voted unanimously on Friday to recommend booster shots of Johnson & Johnson’s one-dose vaccine for all adult recipients. The FDA typically follows the panel’s advice and should rule within days.
This Week’s Vaccine Clinics in Sonoma Valley:
- Saturday, October 23rd, 12 – 3 pm Sonoma Valley Community Health Center, 19270 Sonoma Hwy, Sonoma CA 95476. Walk-ins welcome. For questions call (707) 939-6070
- Wednesday, October 27th, 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, October 28th, 4 – 7 pm at La Luz Center, 17560 Greger St., Sonoma CA 95476. Walk-ins welcome. For questions call (707) 939-6070
- Saturday, October 30th, 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
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:
- Sundays, 8 am – 2 pm at the 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.
- Tuesday – Friday, 7 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.