Weekly Roundup for April 22, 2022

New cases of COVID-19 in Sonoma County remain stable at 20 cases per day for unvaccinated residents and 8 cases per day for vaccinated residents, per 100,000 population. The county is averaging 1,595 COVID tests each day, which does not include all at-home rapid tests. With seasonal colds and allergies in full swing, making a test appointment is still recommended but more testing sites can now accommodate walk-ins.

Related, the California Department of Public Health announced a toolkit on COVID-19 treatment options, including new test to treat locations. There are several COVID-19 treatment options that can help keep COVID patients out of the hospital, especially when given as soon as possible after testing positive and developing symptoms. Talk to your health care provider to learn if you qualify for a COVID-19 treatment that requires a prescription or referral.

Test to Treat locations offering COVID-19 testing and prescriptions for oral antiviral pills at one location:
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/Test-to-treat-locations.aspx

Learn more about treatments and how to get them:
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/Get-the-Facts-on-Treatments.aspx

People who are unvaccinated in Sonoma County are 3.1 times as likely to be infected, 17.7 times more likely to be hospitalized if they get COVID and are 12.7 times more likely to die than those who are vaccinated.

Today’s digest provides helpful and important updates on the following:

1. Local COVID vaccine and testing opportunities
2. Statewide student vaccine mandate delayed
3. Mask mandate for transit ends
4. Other County of Sonoma news of note

Local Vaccine & Testing Opportunities

Vaccination and testing clinics are being held throughout the county to serve people who do not have convenient or affordable access to healthcare providers.

Visit the Sonoma County Office of Education to learn about clinics for students and families: 
https://www.scoe.org/pub/htdocs/school_staff_immunization.html

View the county’s vaccine clinics and appointment page here: 
https://socoemergency.org/emergency/novel-coronavirus/vaccine-information/clinics/

For details or appointments at COVID-19 testing clinics, including a pop-up testing calendar, please visit:
https://socoemergency.org/emergency/novel-coronavirus/testing-and-tracing/

Residents who test positive using an at-home antigen test are urged to report the result by calling the county’s COVID hotline at (707) 565-4667 (4701 in Spanish). Anyone who needs help making a vaccination or testing appointment may also contact the hotline.

Statewide Student Vaccine Mandate Delayed

California will not require students to be vaccinated against COVID-19 for at least another school year. The earliest the requirement would go into effect is now July 1, 2023, pending full approval by the Food and Drug Administration of a COVID-19 vaccine for children under 16 years old.

The state is delaying implementation of the mandate for the 2022-23 school year to ensure sufficient time for successful implementation of new vaccine requirements, according to CDPH.

Read the full press release:
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OPA/Pages/NR22-073.aspx

Public Transit Mask Mandate Ends

A federal judge in Florida this week ruled that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s mask mandate for air travel and public transit was invalid, ending the requirement nationwide.

The Justice Department is considering appealing the ruling, if the CDC feels the mask mandate is necessary to protect public health. Health officials still recommend wearing a face covering while using public transit and on airplanes, now that mask wearing is optional.

Visit Sonoma County Transit here: 
https://sctransit.com/

Visit Charles M Schulz-Sonoma County Airport here:
https://sonomacountyairport.org/

Other County of Sonoma News

Annual Meeting About Habitat Projects that Benefit Threatened Fish in the Russian River Watershed
https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/annual-meeting-about-habitat-projects-that-benefit-threatened-fish-in-the-russian-river-watershed

County approves additional $3.8 million in vegetation management projects for wildfire prevention
https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/county-approves-additional-38-million-in-vegetation-management-projects-for-wildfire-prevention

County of Sonoma seeking public input regarding Graton Rancheria Resort & Casino expansion plans
https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/county-of-sonoma-seeking-public-input-regarding-graton-rancheria-resort-and-casino-expansion-plans

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https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/Newsroom/SoCo-Correspondent/