Mendocino County Numbers for 12-4-20

Total cases: 1671

New cases: 39

Active cases: approx. 264

Pending Tests: 1580+

4.2% positivity rate

22 per 100,000

Deaths: 23

Mendocino Covid-19 Call Center: 707-472-2759

Testing:

Optumserv: Ukiah at the fairgrounds 7am to 7pm, seven days a week. Walk ins OK. Free. Website: https://lhi.care/covidtesting

Fort Bragg Mobile OptumServ Testing: 12/8 at the Vets Hall, time TBD

South Coast Testing: December 11, time and place TBD, check www.mendocinocounty.org/covid

Call

1. Can we get more regulation at post offices to help avoid crowding amid the holiday rush? Why is there not sufficient outbreak testing on the coast? The county cannot control regulations on post offices because it is federal property. If you see someone not cooperating with COVID safety guidelines, you can call  (707) 472-2759 for help. The county goes to the specific sites that host the outbreak for testing. The main difference between Opstumserv and outbreak testing is that optumserv will alert you of your results regardless of whether you're negative or positive and outbreak testing only gets back to you if you test positive. We are currently transitioning for Optumserv to be open seven days a week.
2. Is it true that once our ICU falls below 15% availability that we will go into the state sanctioned shut down? Yes, once we fall below 15% availability we will have two days to transition to the shut down. Mendocino County in included with several other counties in a region that will be monitored as a whole for this 15% threshold.
3. If you’ve already had COVID and have the antibodies, do you still need to get the vaccine? If someone is experiencing the long term effects of COVID, how should they handle them medically? Everybody should get the vaccine whether they’ve had COVID or not. You could possibly ask your primary care provider for an antibody test to see if you had COVID at some point if you’re experiencing long term effects of COVID.
4. Are there any specific COVID guidelines that have been put out for at home health care aids? Wearing a mask is a basic guideline. CDPH.ca.gov has more information on guidelines for at home health care workers.
5. What does it mean for us to have mobile non-symptom testing in the south coast area? This testing will take place on December 11; the place and time has not yet been decided . When the details are confirmed, they will be released to several different media platforms, not just online.
6. How would you respond to a friend saying that trying to stop COVID with a mask is like trying to stop a mosquito with a chain link fence? There has been thorough research proving that masks reduce the spread of COVID. Universal mask wearing success in hospitals is a good example.

Mendocino County Numbers for 11-30-20

Total cases: 1632

New cases: 52 (since Monday)

Active cases: 225

In Quarantine: 398

Pending Tests: 1580+

Hospitalization: 9

4.2% positivity rate

22 per 100,000

Deaths: 23

Mendocino Covid-19 Call Center: 707-472-2759

Testing:

Optumserv: Ukiah at the fairgrounds 7am to 7pm, seven days a week. Walk ins OK. Free. Website: https://lhi.care/covidtesting

Calls: 

1. What does it mean to have an overwhelmed healthcare system? It would mean that we don’t have any more ICU or hospital beds, which leads to worse outcomes.
2. Have we started bringing COVID patients into this county? Possibly a couple, but there is not a large influx of COVID patients into our county. As long as we have capacity and another hospital doesn’t have capacity, we are required to accept patients from them.
3. Could we have a more positive theme song and where does Dr.Drew Colfax come from? We’ll consider changing the theme song when the curve improves and Dr. Drew Colfax is from “West” Boonville.

Mendocino County Numbers for 11-30-20

Total cases: 1580

Active cases: near 190

In Quarantine: 328

Pending Tests: 1580+

Hospitalization: 7

4.1% positivity rate

17 per 100,000

Deaths: 23

Mendocino Covid-19 Call Center: 707-472-2759

Testing:

Optumserv: Ukiah at the fairgrounds 7am to 7pm, seven days a week. Walk ins OK. Free. Website: https://lhi.care/covidtesting

Calls

1. What do we know about immunity after an asymptomatic infection? The chances of getting reinfected are low, but it is still possible. If you get Covid a second time you are not likely to become seriously ill.
2. What is the most accurate test available for people who don’t have any symptoms? Optumserv offers accurate PCR testing, as well as the Ukiah and Coast Adventist Hospitals. The Abbott Rapid Test Machine at Bechtel Creek Clinic in Willits is not nearly as accurate.
3. How long should one quarantine if traveling to visit a loved one? That depends on the risk level of both individuals. Seven day quarantine after a negative test is recommended.
4. What is the protocol for mask wearing when walking with friends outside? The first thing to do would be to make sure everyone in the group is on the same page, the next most helpful thing would be to stand as far apart as possible. If you need to stay within six feet of your friends, you should wear a mask.
5. What is the deal with Comorbidities? Why do some people die and others don’t? Covid doubles your risk of dying if contracted. If you are older and therefore more at risk of dying in general, Covid will double that already high risk of death. There are other conditions that increase the risk of death from Covid, including heart conditions, dialysis patients, and high blood pressure. Obesity has become less of a comorbidity, but is still associated with poor outcomes.
6. What are the risks of the Covid vaccine? Getting sick from immunizations is very rare. The risk is never zero but it is less of a risk than the illnesses vaccines prevent.
7. How can the county spend millions on a hotel for the homeless but not provide testing for the area? The lack of testing is less of a county issue and more of a national and state issue. Giving rooms to the homeless to properly quarantine before the results of a Covid test and helps control the spread of the virus.

Mendocino County Numbers for 11-23-20

Total cases: 1424

Pending Tests: 1400+

Hospitalization: 7

3.95% positivity rate

8.6 per 100,000

Deaths: 22

Mendocino Covid-19 Call Center: 707-472-2759

Testing:

Optumserv: Ukiah at the fairgrounds 7am to 7pm, Sunday to Thursdays. No appt. Needed. Free. Website: https://lhi.care/covidtesting

Calls:

1.  How will we know what vaccines are better and the differences between them? We don’t quite know that yet, a lot of testing is still going on. Distribution is something that is different for each vaccine and the government is currently working on a plan to get it out to everybody who needs it.
2. A recommendation to listen to Democracy Now! Today. Denial seems to be the national disease. When will testing be available on the south coast? A mobile testing unit is being worked on for the south coast right now, may not be ready for several weeks due to bureaucracy. 
3. Since we don’t really know how immune people are after they contract the virus, how will we know how effective the vaccine is? Does the new police patrol cars flying the confederate/thin blue line flag mean they won’t do anything to enforce COVID guidelines? Getting COVID causes a high level of immunity afterwards in the patient, which means we can infer that the vaccine would provide a high level of immunity as well.
4. How does the intranasal vaccine work? There is currently not an international vaccine that has been proven to work. Other countries are working on them.
5. Could you explain the viral vector method? They work by tricking the virus into making protein fragments that replicate the spiky covid proteins that are on the outside of the Covid-19 virus, so we can develop antibodies against the virus without ever actually having it in the vaccine inteself. 

Mendocino County Numbers for 11-20-20

Total cases: 1368

Pending Tests: 1260+

Hospitalization: 10 (1 ICU)

6.5 per 100,000 per day

3.75% positivity rate

Deaths: 22

Mendocino Covid-19 Call Center: 707-472-2759

Testing:

Optumserv: Ukiah at the fairgrounds 7am to 7pm, Sunday to Thursdays. No appt. Needed. Free. Website: https://lhi.care/covidtesting

Outbreak testing in Fort Bragg: Saturday November 21st, 9:30am-12:30pm, Mendocino Coast Clinic 205 South Street, Fort Bragg. Get tested if you have a connection to Noyo Harbor Inn within the last 2 weeks. Free.

Drive Through Flu Clinic in Ukiah Saturday: 8am-12pm at Public Health, 1120 S. Dora Street, Ukiah. Free.

Calls:

1. Are there two day covid tests like dodger stadium? The new contract for testing with the State is supposed to include 1-2 day results.
2. Why can’t we use a normal immunization instead of the mRNA vaccine that is difficult to distribute?
3. Would taking a smaller dose of the COVID vaccine reduce symptoms? We don’t know yet, they are still researching the vaccine.
4. Do they only let you know if you’re positive at Opstumserv? No they will let you know if you are negative too

Mendocino County Numbers for 11-18-20

Total cases: 1311

New cases: 25 (last 48 hours)

Pending tests: 1200

Hospitalization: 8

10 per 100,000 per day

3.87% positivity rate

Deaths: 22

Testing:

Optumserv: Ukiah at the fairgrounds 7am to 7pm, Sunday to Thursdays. No appt. Needed. Free

Calls: 

1. What do you think about the new at home rapid test? It's a great idea and product; it is a little expensive at $50 but the more people that get tested, the better. It’s less reliable than the hospital’s PCR test, but probably at least as reliable as the Abbot rapid test.
2. Is there a one hour turn around on private tests in this county? Where can we get those tests? There are no private testing centers, but the hospitals are able to get test results in 90 minutes. Unfortunately a fee is involved when you go to the hospital.
3. What do you think about the study that shows that there is a mouthwash that can kill the COVID virus in 30 seconds? Normal mouthwashes do not kill the viruses. However, there are sprays and solutions that can be taken that will block the uptake of the virus. They are all still in early testing phases.
4. How do they control the exposure that people get after taking the vaccine for the testing trials? They don’t. They people in the trails were just sent home and then intensely monitored for infection.
5. How will the holiday shopping season be handled after Thanksgiving? The county can enforce social distancing, but it would be smart to stay away from black Friday crowds.

Mendocino County Numbers for 11-16-20

Total cases: 1307

6.5 per 100,000 per day

3.8% positivity rate

Deaths: 22

Testing:

Optumserv: Ukiah at the fairgrounds 7am to 7pm, Sunday to Thursdays. No appt. Needed. Free

Calls

1. How do we know this vaccine is going to be safe? Each vaccine trial has 30-40 thousand people in them. They are testing not only for efficacy but side effects as well. Most people do not experience severe or serious side effects.
2. Does supplemental oxygen as a treatment for COVID-19 affect one's speech and state of mind? The virus is known to affect cognitive function in some individuals, so this could be the case, especially since the patient is older.
3. Will we develop a tolerance to the vaccine like we do with drugs? No, you don’t develop tolerances towards vaccines
4. There is a new study showing a correlation with being a dog owner and coming down positive with COVID-19, especially people who go out in public with their animals. 

Mendocino County Numbers for 11-13-20

Total cases: 1269

New cases: 27

Pending Tests: 1260+

Hospitalization: 10 (1 ICU)

6.5 per 100,000 per day

3.75% positivity rate

Deaths: 22

Testing:

Optumserv: Ukiah at the fairgrounds 7am to 7pm, Sunday to Thursdays. No appt. Needed. Free. Website: https://lhi.care/covidtesting

Calls: 

1. What is the distribution of the 28 new cases throughout the county? 27 cases were in the Ukiah area, and one was on the North Coast. A majority of these cases were close contact.
2. Advice of grocery shopping? Mask up and stay distant from others. Try to consolidate shopping to one trip a week or less.
3. 1 out of every 69 people are infected in the country and roughly 1 out of every 57 people who have contracted covid have died.

Mendocino County Numbers for 11-09-20

Total cases: 1242

New cases: 11

Pending Tests: 1260+

Hospitalization: 10 (1 ICU)

6.5 per 100,000 per day

3.75% positivity rate

Deaths: 22

Testing:

Mendocino Coast Clinics: testing weekly through November 15 call 964-1251  for an appt. 

Anderson Valley Health Center: testing weekly through November 15, Thursday 9am-10:30, Anderson Valley HS Parking Lot

Optumserv: Ukiah at the fairgrounds 7am to 7pm, Sunday to Thursdays. No appt. Needed. Free

Calls: 

1. What does it mean to quarantine? You should be walled off from the rest of society for 14 days.
2. The new vaccine needing to be kept at below 80 degrees celsius limits the distribution of this virus.
3. If we had started masking and social distancing in February what would our death count be now? California actually started pretty early compared to other states, and it is suspected that this decision saved 100,000 lives in the state. It's very hard to predict accurate numbers for the entire country.
4. What is the availability and turn around for testing in the county? Optumserve is still up and running in Ukiah. Health centers in the county will soon lose their allotment of tests that are normally sent to UCSF.
5. Is it true that 1 in 32 people have either had COVID-19 or are currently infected? Yes.

Mendocino County Numbers for 11-09-20

Total cases: 1231

Pending Tests: 1300+

Hospitalization: 4

6.5 per 100,000 per day

3.75% positivity rate

Testing:

Mendocino Coast Clinics: testing weekly through November 15 call 964-1251  for an appt. 

Anderson Valley Health Center: testing weekly through November 15, Thursday 9am-10:30, Anderson Valley HS Parking Lot

Optumserv: Ukiah at the fairgrounds 7am to 7pm, Sunday to Thursdays. No appt. Needed. Free

Calls: 

1. Can hospitals give you a pneumonia shot without permission? No. 
2. Have you seen COVID manifest on skin? Occasionally people with COVID-19 will develop a viral rash. There has been one doctor locally who has seen a patient with the purple rash associated with “Covid toes.”
3. Was the virus released to control overpopulation? No, a virus can’t have a target or a goal, it just wants to replicate its RNA.
4. How immediate could we see a change in our administration's handling of COVID-19 now that Biden is President elect? Our current administration is still in charge for a couple more months and a vaccine will take a while to fully distribute. A national COVID policy is anticipated towards the end of January.