Friday Update with Mendocino County Public Health Officer Dr. Andy Coren

Mendocino County Numbers for 12-18-20Total cases: 2134New cases: 83Pending Tests: 1800Hospitalization: 7ICU: 2Isolation: 321Quarantine: 450+4.9% positivity rate22 per 100,000Deaths: 24Mendocino Covid-19 Call Center: 707-472-2759Testing:Optumserv: Ukiah at the fairgrounds 7am to 7pm, seven days a week. Walk ins OK. Free. Website: https://lhi.care/covidtestingFort Bragg Veteran’s Hall December 18th and EVERY TUESDAY at 9am, Free, First come First Serve. Register at lhi.care/covidtestingCallsCan you still shed the virus after you have been vaccinated? This vaccine was developed so quickly that we do not yet know how it will affect a person's capability to shed and spread the virus. It will protect the vaccinated person against the severest form of the disease.How long will it take to get results from the Optumserv in Fort Bragg and how do you sign up for testing? A majority of test results are returned within 2 days. You can either call +1 (888) 634-1123 to register and get your patient number or you can sign up at  LHI.care/covidtesting.At some point will there be a standby list of people who are prepared to take the vaccine in case there is a surplus of vaccines and they will expire? Yes, there are lists of the first priority people who will be getting the vaccines and some extra people have been notified in case we receive extra vaccines. The county has been very careful to make sure that none of the doses will be wasted.If you are a nurse or home hospice worker, is there a way to get the vaccine without going through the hospital or your employer? We are looking at home health care workers and evaluating who is most in need of the vaccine. They are high up on the list of people who will be receiving the vaccine.Why will there be a three week break before the next Friday local coronavirus update? Next week is Christmas and after that is new years, and the people working on the Friday update need a break. If something urgent comes up, the public will be notified. The next board of supervisors meeting will be January 5th.Will jails be releasing people? Congregate living situations are very dangerous for COVID infection, so some people may be transferred or released to avoid a COVID outbreak. Surveillance testing is being done in jails as well.What is the status of therapists for receiving the vaccine? If you are working in a hospital and considered a health care worker then you may be on the list for the vaccine.Will the general public be getting the vaccine by the end of summer? ProbablyWhat are the options for testing on the coast? Regular testing on Tuesdays at the Veterans Hall in Fort Bragg. If you are symptomatic you should go to a primary care provider or go to the emergency room. If I got a covid test a couple of weeks ago during the outbreak testing in Albion and never heard back, can I assume that my test was negative? Yes, Public Health outbreak testing only calls you if you are COVID positive. You can call 472-2759 for any other testing issues.