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Health

All hospitalized Santa Cruz Co. COVID-19 patients are unvaccinated

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In Santa Cruz County, 11 people have tested positive for the delta variant. Four are in the hospital, all of them are unvaccinated.Health officials from seven different administrations held a news conference Thursday.Their message is simple: Getting people vaccinated as quickly as possible is the fastest, most effective way out of this pandemic.At the beginning of this pandemic, there was a rush on vaccines that led to a shortage. Now, the opposite problems: plenty of supplies but fewer people getting inoculated.Santa Cruz County Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel reminded the community: “The news here is the pandemic is not over and I hope that is not news for anybody I’ve been clear about that from the beginning.”The number of cases is not overwhelming, 11 so far, with four hospitalizations but they are all unvaccinated individuals.Social media sites may also be responsible for vaccine hesitancy.Last week the United States Surgeon General called them out for supplying misinformation.”Calling on the tech greats and other sound media efforts to stop the bad misinformation which is literally leading to lives lost in the Country,” Newel said.Since Santa Cruz is a tourist destination there is concern about national and international visitors who are not inoculated potentially spreading the virus.”That does put our own community at risk especially those who remain unvaccinated so that’s one more reason to get vaccinated,” Newel said.Three Bay Area communities are being urged to require their employees to get vaccinations.Newel says Santa Cruz County is not going in that direction at this time, nor does she foresee the re-closure of businesses and schools.However, all health officials present Thursday stressed the need for the COVID-19 vaccine.”I cannot urge you strongly enough to take away that worry of getting super sick from the virus. Take away that worry about causing a loved one, a child who is not eligible for the vaccine,” said Dr. Nan Mickiewicz, President-CEO of Dominican Hospital.Friday there is a vaccine clinic happening at the Museum of Art and History, located on Front Street from noon to 4 p.m.

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. —

In Santa Cruz County, 11 people have tested positive for the delta variant. Four are in the hospital, all of them are unvaccinated.

Health officials from seven different administrations held a news conference Thursday.

Their message is simple: Getting people vaccinated as quickly as possible is the fastest, most effective way out of this pandemic.

At the beginning of this pandemic, there was a rush on vaccines that led to a shortage. Now, the opposite problems: plenty of supplies but fewer people getting inoculated.

Santa Cruz County Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel reminded the community: “The news here is the pandemic is not over and I hope that is not news for anybody I’ve been clear about that from the beginning.”

The number of cases is not overwhelming, 11 so far, with four hospitalizations but they are all unvaccinated individuals.

Social media sites may also be responsible for vaccine hesitancy.

Last week the United States Surgeon General called them out for supplying misinformation.

“Calling on the tech greats and other sound media efforts to stop the bad misinformation which is literally leading to lives lost in the Country,” Newel said.

Since Santa Cruz is a tourist destination there is concern about national and international visitors who are not inoculated potentially spreading the virus.

“That does put our own community at risk especially those who remain unvaccinated so that’s one more reason to get vaccinated,” Newel said.

Three Bay Area communities are being urged to require their employees to get vaccinations.

Newel says Santa Cruz County is not going in that direction at this time, nor does she foresee the re-closure of businesses and schools.

However, all health officials present Thursday stressed the need for the COVID-19 vaccine.

“I cannot urge you strongly enough to take away that worry of getting super sick from the virus. Take away that worry about causing a loved one, a child who is not eligible for the vaccine,” said Dr. Nan Mickiewicz, President-CEO of Dominican Hospital.

Friday there is a vaccine clinic happening at the Museum of Art and History, located on Front Street from noon to 4 p.m.

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Health

COVID-19 delta variant identified in Santa Cruz County

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COVID-19 delta variant identified in Santa Cruz County



RHONDELLA AND JENNIFER,O TYOU? RHONDELLA: THANKS, A.J. DELTA PLUS IS NOW SPREADING IN 11 CNTOURIES RAISING NEW CONCERNS ABOUT THE IMPACT OF T EFFICACY OF COVID VACCINES. JENNIFER: HERE TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS IS DR. RK SIEDNER, THE EPIDEMIOLOSTGI WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES AT MASS GENERAL HOSPITAL. HOW IS THE DTAEL PLUS VARIANT DIFFERENT AND IS IT MORE DANGEROUS? >> SO WE’RE STILL LEARNING ABOUT THIS AYT OR DELTA PLUS VARIANT. IT’S DEFINITELY ONE THE SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY IS WATCHING. BUT I THINK WHAT PEOPLEHO SULD KNOW IS THAT AS LONG AS VACCINATION RATES ARE LOW PRETTY MUCH ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD,HE T VIRUS WILL CONTINUE TO SPREAD AND THESE VARIANTS WILL CONTINUE TO EMER. WE KNOW THAT THE PARENT VIRUS, THE DELTA VARIANT ITSELF, IS SPREADING IN MASSACHUSETTS. IT’S BEING SEEN IN 10-20% OF CASES CURRENTLY. IT’S CLEARLY MORE CONTAGIOUS AND APPEARS TO BE MORE SEVERE, PARTICULARLY IN YOUNG PEOPLE. SO FOR THOSE AMONG US WHO HAVE YET TO BE VACCINATED, I THINK ESPECIALLY AMONG THE YOUNGER FOLKS, I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING YOU SHOULD BE KEEPING YOUR EYES ON. RHONDELLA: OK. WE KNOW PEOPLE WHO ARE IMMUNOCOMPROMISED MAY NOT GET THE SAME PROTECTION FROM COVID VACCINES. A W STUDY SUGGESTS A THIRD DOSE COULD BE THE ANSWER. WHAT DO YOU THINK AUTBO THAT? >> THERE HAVE BEEN STUDIES AND THEY’VE BEEN REASSURI. NG IN THIS STY, ORGAN TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS GOT A THIRD VACCINE THERE ARE GOING TO BE SOME SPECIFIC POPULATIONS WHO NEED MORE VACCINES THAN THE REST OF US. JENNIFER: IF THE PROTECTION IS BETTER WITH A THIRD DOSE, AT LEAST IN SOME CASES, WHY DOESN’T EVERYONE GET ONE OR IS IT POSSIBLE TO HAVE TOO MUCH VACCINES? >> SO THE FLIP SIDE HERE, IN THE VAST MAJORITY OF US, OVER 90% OF US, CLEARLY, THE CURRENT VACCINES ARE WORKING. WE’VE SEEN THAT IN CLINICAL TRIALS AND REAL-WORLD DATA. THESE VACCINES ARE PREVENTING 90-100% OF DEATHS. ALTHOUGH BOOSTERS MAY BE NEEDED OR IMMUNITY WANES,OR NOW, THESE VACCINES ARE WORKING. NOT MUCH ADVANTA TO GET A THIRD DOSE ESPECIALLY WITH GLOBAL SHORTES OF THE VACCINES. RHONDELLA: THIS TRSHUDAY REGISTRATION OPENS FOR THE VAXMILLIONS GETAWA Y. >> WE’RE LEARNING THERE’S A WEID RANGOFE REASONS PEOPLE DON’T GET VACCINATED. HOPEFULLY INFORMATION SESSIONS LIKE THESE WILL HELP ADDRESS THEIR CONCERNS. THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO’VE HAD A DIFFICULT TIME ACCESSING VACCINES FOR WORK SCHEDULES OR CHILD CARE SCHEDUS.LE IT’S GREAT TO SEE THAT VAX BUS OR THE OTHER PROGRAMS IN MASSACHUSETTS TO ADDRESS PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THESE CHALLENGES. THERE ARE JUST SOME WHO NEED AN EXTRA NUDGE. IN MASSACHUSETTS AND OTHER STATES THERERE A A MILLION MORE NUDGES FOR THOSE WHO NEED THAT. HOPEFUYLL THIS WILL GET MORE PEOPLE TO CROSS THE FINISH LINE. JENNIFER: THE NUMBERS TICK UP. DR. MARK SIED

COVID-19 delta variant identified in Santa Cruz County

The first reported case of the COVID-19 delta variant has been found in Santa Cruz County. According to the Santa Cruz County Public Health Department, the delta variant is on track to become the dominant strain in the U.S. and represents 14.5% of all California cases. The variant is highly transmissible, and more resistant to monoclonal antibody treatment.The person who was carrying the delta variant was in their 50s and experience mild symptoms.The health department noted that complete vaccination is highly effective against the new variant. Officials are asking that people get vaccinated and anyone who missed their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine should schedule their second shot as soon as possible. “With the reopening of the economy and slowing vaccination rates, the introduction of a highly transmissible variant creates an especially worrisome situation,” Santa Cruz County Deputy Health Officer Dr. David Ghilarducci said. “For those who are unvaccinated or only partially vaccinated, your risk of serious illness is becoming more likely. The best way to reduce the risk for everyone – including residents not yet eligible to be vaccinated — is to seek a vaccine as soon as possible.”A list of vaccine local COVID-19 vaccine providers is available at:• https://www.santacruzhealth.org/coronavirusvaccine (English)• https://www.santacruzhealth.org/coronavirusvacuna (Spanish)

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, Calif. —

The first reported case of the COVID-19 delta variant has been found in Santa Cruz County.

According to the Santa Cruz County Public Health Department, the delta variant is on track to become the dominant strain in the U.S. and represents 14.5% of all California cases. The variant is highly transmissible, and more resistant to monoclonal antibody treatment.

The person who was carrying the delta variant was in their 50s and experience mild symptoms.

The health department noted that complete vaccination is highly effective against the new variant. Officials are asking that people get vaccinated and anyone who missed their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine should schedule their second shot as soon as possible.

“With the reopening of the economy and slowing vaccination rates, the introduction of a highly transmissible variant creates an especially worrisome situation,” Santa Cruz County Deputy Health Officer Dr. David Ghilarducci said. “For those who are unvaccinated or only partially vaccinated, your risk of serious illness is becoming more likely. The best way to reduce the risk for everyone – including residents not yet eligible to be vaccinated — is to seek a vaccine as soon as possible.”

A list of vaccine local COVID-19 vaccine providers is available at:

• https://www.santacruzhealth.org/coronavirusvaccine (English)

• https://www.santacruzhealth.org/coronavirusvacuna (Spanish)

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Health

Appointments available for mass vaccination clinics in Monterey County

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GOOD EVENING…I’M CHRISTOPHER SALAS. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT. WE BEGIN TONIGHT WITH WHAT ELECTED OFFICIALS CALLED THE LARGEST FARMWORKER VACCINATION CLINIC IN THE COUNTR. Y. IT HAPPENED AT THE RODEO GROUNDS IN SALINAS .. MORE THAN FOUR- THOUSAND FARMWORKERS WE FREULLY INOCULATED TODAY.. THREE THOUSAND AG WORKERS CAME BACK FOR THEIR SECOND DOSE OF THE MODERNA VACCINE… A ONDNE THOUSAND FARM WORKERS RECEIVED THE SINGLE SHOT JOHNSON AND JOHNSON VACCINE. THE CLINIC WAS ORGANIZED BY CLINICA DE SALUD AND THE GROWER SHIPPER ASSOCIATION. LOCAL LEADERS STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF THESE CLINICS… AS AG WORKE RS ARE ONE OF THE GROUPS MO ST IMPACTED BY THE PANDEMIC. ## <208ó4447 33:3"E9 VERY WEEKEND WE'RE HAVING THESE MASS VACCINATION CLINICS TRYING TO GET AS MANY AGRICULTURE WORKERS VACCINATED AS POSSIBLE." TTBU TO 208ó4436 31:08 "THIS IS THE LARGEST FARMWORKER ANY IN THE UNITED STATES TODA. Y. BUTT TO 31:18 THIS SHOWS GIVES US THE VACCINE, GIVE US THE RESOURCES AND WE CAN PUT IT INTO PEOPLE'S ARMS AS QUICKLY SA POSSIBLE." DR. CUEVAS SAID THIS MASS VACCINATION WAS DE MA POSSIBLE BECUASE OF THE NEARLY EIGHT MILLI ON DOLLARS IN FEDERAL FUNDING THE ORGANIZATION RECEID VE FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN. HE SAYS THE FUNDING WILL ALLOW THEM TO KEEP PROVINIDG HEALTH SERVICES... LIKE THIS VACCINATION CLINIC... TO THE AG COMMUNITYN I PARTNERSHIP WITH THE GROWER SHIPPER ASSOCIATION. ### <"AS A SOCIETY WE'VE ASKED A LOT OF THE AGRICULTURAL WORKER AND WE NEEDED TO WORK TOGETHER WITH CLINCA DE SALUD AND WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO T UPSE A SYSTEM THAT PRIORITIZES THEM." (BUTTED ) TO " AND WHAT YOU'RE SEEING ARE THE COMBINED EFFORTS... FROM THE FEDERAL LEVEL, COUNTY LEVEL, TO THE CITY LEVEL, TO THE CLIN IC LEVEL... ALL COMING TOGETHER IN ONE PLACE IN ORDER TO GET THIS COMMUNITY VACCINATED." > OTHER COMMUNITY HEAL TH CENTERS ACROSS THE CENTRAL COAST ALSO RECEIVED FUNDING THROUGH THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT. MONTEREY COUNTY RECEIVED MORE THAN SEVEN MILLION DOLLARS. SALUD PARA LA GENTE IN WATSONVILLE WAS ALLOCATED ABOUT FIVE MILLI. ON SANTA CRUZ COUNTY RECEIVED THREE POINT FOUR MILLIO

Appointments available for mass vaccination clinics in Monterey County

Mass vaccine clinics open to all eligible members of the public still have slots available in Monterey County. The clinics, hosted by Natividad, will take place at Everett Alvarez High School on April 10 and 11. The hospital plans to vaccinate more than 8,000 people. As of Monday morning, hundreds of appointments were still available for the public. Saturday, April 10 @ Everett Alvarez High School 7:00 a.m. – 6:40 p.m. Register here Sunday, April 11 @ Everett Alvarez High School 7:00 a.m. – 6:40 p.m. Register here People can also call 2-1-1 for assistance signing up for their vaccine appointment. Those who are currently eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine are anyone who lives or works in Monterey County and who is either:Age 50 or older Has occupational risk working in agriculture, childcare, education, emergency services, food, healthcare, or public transit/airport/airline Is at the highest risk due to severe health conditions or disabilities Lives in zip codes 93450, 93926, 93927, 93930, 93932, 93954, 93960, 95039, 93901, 93905, 93906, 93907, 93925, 93933, 93955, 95004 or 95012To find other vaccine appointments, click here. — Video from previous broadcast.

SALINAS, Calif. —

Mass vaccine clinics open to all eligible members of the public still have slots available in Monterey County.

The clinics, hosted by Natividad, will take place at Everett Alvarez High School on April 10 and 11. The hospital plans to vaccinate more than 8,000 people.

As of Monday morning, hundreds of appointments were still available for the public.

  • Saturday, April 10 @ Everett Alvarez High School
  • Sunday, April 11 @ Everett Alvarez High School

People can also call 2-1-1 for assistance signing up for their vaccine appointment.

Those who are currently eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine are anyone who lives or works in Monterey County and who is either:

  • Age 50 or older
  • Has occupational risk working in agriculture, childcare, education, emergency services, food, healthcare, or public transit/airport/airline
  • Is at the highest risk due to severe health conditions or disabilities
  • Lives in zip codes 93450, 93926, 93927, 93930, 93932, 93954, 93960, 95039, 93901, 93905, 93906, 93907, 93925, 93933, 93955, 95004 or 95012

To find other vaccine appointments, click here.

— Video from previous broadcast.

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Entertainment

Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani crab fish on the Central Coast

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Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton visited the Central Coast over the weekend and partook in Monterey Bay’s oldest profession: crab fishing. Chris’ Fishing and Whale Watching posted a pic of the couple holding up crab they had caught. “Thank you Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton for coming and enjoying an amazing day on the Bay with us,” wrote the fishing and whale watching company on Facebook. Chris’ Fishing reported that the pair had caught 50 Sanddabs and 17 crabs in a day. “Hope to see you guys again soon!” they wrote on Facebook.

MONTEREY, Calif. —

Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton visited the Central Coast over the weekend and partook in Monterey Bay’s oldest profession: crab fishing.

Chris’ Fishing and Whale Watching posted a pic of the couple holding up crab they had caught.

“Thank you Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton for coming and enjoying an amazing day on the Bay with us,” wrote the fishing and whale watching company on Facebook.

Chris’ Fishing reported that the pair had caught 50 Sanddabs and 17 crabs in a day.

“Hope to see you guys again soon!” they wrote on Facebook.

Read original article here

Health

South African, UK variant of COVID-19 found in San Benito County

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The South African variant of the coronavirus (B.1.351) and the United Kingdom variant (B.1.1.7) were found in San Benito County.The cases were found on March 1 and March 15, respectively. The variants are both more contagious that the initial strain of the COVID-19 virus. Some of these variants appear to be at least twice as easy to pass between persons, can cause more severe infection and possibly more deaths.New COVID-19 variants have been recently found in neighboring counties, across California and much of the U.S.“The arrival of these variants in the county and state were expected, as they are spreading across the nation and in other countries. Fortunately, all three approved vaccines are effective against these variants,” said Dr. David Ghilarducci, San Benito County Interim Health Officer.Governor Gavin Newsom announced on twitter Thursday that beginning April 15, eligibility will be expanded to everyone 16 and older. Starting on April 1, Californians over the age of 50 will be able to sign up for the vaccine.Video from previous broadcast.

SAN BENITO COUNTY, Calif. —

The South African variant of the coronavirus (B.1.351) and the United Kingdom variant (B.1.1.7) were found in San Benito County.

The cases were found on March 1 and March 15, respectively.

The variants are both more contagious that the initial strain of the COVID-19 virus. Some of these variants appear to be at least twice as easy to pass between persons, can cause more severe infection and possibly more deaths.

New COVID-19 variants have been recently found in neighboring counties, across California and much of the U.S.

“The arrival of these variants in the county and state were expected, as they are spreading across the nation and in other countries. Fortunately, all three approved vaccines are effective against these variants,” said Dr. David Ghilarducci, San Benito County Interim Health Officer.

Governor Gavin Newsom announced on twitter Thursday that beginning April 15, eligibility will be expanded to everyone 16 and older. Starting on April 1, Californians over the age of 50 will be able to sign up for the vaccine.

Video from previous broadcast.



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Health

COVID-19 vaccine clinic opens at Kaiser Permanente Arena in Santa Cruz

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Kaiser Permanente opened a vaccination clinic at the Santa Cruz Arena.If you meet eligibility requirements you don’t have to be a member of Kaiser to schedule a vaccine.”I just called my Kaiser Permanente number on the back of my card and was confirmed to see if I had eligibility,” said Watsonville resident, Pablo Sandoval.Related | COVID-19 vaccines in California: Everything you need to knowThis week Kaiser Permanente opened a COVID-19 vaccination clinic for everyone not just members–as long as they are eligible and schedule an appointmentAmong those individuals are those recently included in Phase 1B: Transit workers, librarians and people with medical conditions that make them more susceptible to the virus.”Our target population is for the people who work and live in Santa Cruz County but, like I said earlier, Kaiser Permanente, we really want to make sure we’re giving high-quality care in communities we serve,” said Tony Eves, Kaiser Permanente administrator.There were a few walk-ins who were willing to take a chance and wait for a leftover vaccine.”I’ve been worried because, I’m a severe asthmatic, so I’m kind of like on edge waiting for it and hoping for it and I got an email that I was eligible tier but no appointment yet,” said Katie Clark of Capitola.Dr. David Ghilarducci stated Thursday, that 120,000 people have received at least their first vaccination in the County.He also said, he is optimistic that by Sept. 7, all Santa Cruz County Residents will be able to have the vaccine.”We expect that date to actually move up significantly because is going to improve and that’s the only thing holding us back.”Kaiser partnered with the Santa Cruz Warriors for the vaccination clinics that will be open seven days a week, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.”It was a no-brainer. They’ve continued to be pivotal in our community helping out county-wide and community needs and this is just another example,” said Santa Cruz Warriors President, Chris Murphy.For Pablo Sandoval, receiving the shot is a first step in reuniting with this 21-year-old daughter who he hasn’t seen in more than a year.”And we were talking on the phone this morning and she already has hers. The first thing that came out of her was to ‘let me know you get your second one so that we can get together,'” said Sandoval.It is open to members and non-members. They can check eligibility and they must schedule an appointment by completing an evisit at kp.org/covidvaccine

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. —

Kaiser Permanente opened a vaccination clinic at the Santa Cruz Arena.

If you meet eligibility requirements you don’t have to be a member of Kaiser to schedule a vaccine.

“I just called my Kaiser Permanente number on the back of my card and was confirmed to see if I had eligibility,” said Watsonville resident, Pablo Sandoval.

Related | COVID-19 vaccines in California: Everything you need to know

This week Kaiser Permanente opened a COVID-19 vaccination clinic for everyone not just members–as long as they are eligible and schedule an appointment

Among those individuals are those recently included in Phase 1B: Transit workers, librarians and people with medical conditions that make them more susceptible to the virus.

“Our target population is for the people who work and live in Santa Cruz County but, like I said earlier, Kaiser Permanente, we really want to make sure we’re giving high-quality care in communities we serve,” said Tony Eves, Kaiser Permanente administrator.

There were a few walk-ins who were willing to take a chance and wait for a leftover vaccine.

“I’ve been worried because, I’m a severe asthmatic, so I’m kind of like on edge waiting for it and hoping for it and I got an email that I was eligible tier but no appointment yet,” said Katie Clark of Capitola.

Dr. David Ghilarducci stated Thursday, that 120,000 people have received at least their first vaccination in the County.

He also said, he is optimistic that by Sept. 7, all Santa Cruz County Residents will be able to have the vaccine.

“We expect that date to actually move up significantly because is going to improve and that’s the only thing holding us back.”

Kaiser partnered with the Santa Cruz Warriors for the vaccination clinics that will be open seven days a week, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

“It was a no-brainer. They’ve continued to be pivotal in our community helping out county-wide and community needs and this is just another example,” said Santa Cruz Warriors President, Chris Murphy.

For Pablo Sandoval, receiving the shot is a first step in reuniting with this 21-year-old daughter who he hasn’t seen in more than a year.

“And we were talking on the phone this morning and she already has hers. The first thing that came out of her was to ‘let me know you get your second one so that we can get together,'” said Sandoval.

It is open to members and non-members. They can check eligibility and they must schedule an appointment by completing an evisit at kp.org/covidvaccine

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