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Family, Friends Remember Modesto Teenagers Killed In Crash – CBS Sacramento

MODESTO (CBS13) — A senseless act has left a community in shock. Three teenage boys from Modesto are dead after a crash that has the driver of their vehicle in jail facing vehicular manslaughter charges.

A Modesto police dash camera caught the video of the silver sedan moments before the crash, speeding down a street and through two red lights.

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A nearby home surveillance camera then captured the impact of a semi-truck slamming into the car in the middle of an intersection.

Cousins Aalvin, 17, and Jayden Chhue, 15, and their friend, 16-year-old Jose Espinoza, died in the crash.

Relatives say Aalvin loved to sing and be with family. Jayden loved playing football. Jose loved soccer. Their loss still has not set in.

“I really all miss them and I hope they all come back and they have a happy smile on them,” Jayden’s sister Kayani Chhue said.

“To Jayden and Aalvin, they’re like my brothers,” friend Alijah Prince said. “To be honest, it’s crazy how they just left the world, and I really miss them.”

The Chhue family took cell phone video of a memorial for the boys inside their home.

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At Modesto Indoor Soccer, Espinoza’s coach and teammates’ families were grieving his loss and preparing to host a fundraiser for the family. The loss also serves as a tragic lesson for other children there.

“He wanted to grow up to be a great soccer player because that was his passion,” family friend Mayra Gutierrez said.

“Be careful when you drive, and go with your friends,” Coach Jesus Perez said.

Dearin Koeur is the 20-year-old who police say ran the red lights with the three teens as his passengers. Koeur survived and was only slightly hurt in the crash.

He is booked into Stanislaus County jail facing three counts of vehicular manslaughter. If convicted, Koeur could receive up to 10 years in jail on the first count with a judge allowed to give the other counts additional years to stack onto the sentence.

The three teens attended Grace M. Davis High School together. The crash at 4 p.m. Tuesday would have come just after they all got out of class.

Modesto police say they have not determined whether any of the boys in the car were wearing their seatbelts.

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Koeur is due in court next week. Family says, despite what the video shows, they do have empathy for Koeur, who was a close friend of the deadly crash victims.

Read original article here

Where to get shots, common questions answered

Now that everyone 12 and older is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in the U.S., millions of Californians have been partially or fully vaccinated and the state fully reopened its economy June 15.Below you will find breakdowns of vaccination rates by area as well as answers to commonly asked questions about the vaccines, masks, do’s and don’ts and more:How many vaccines have been administered in California? | MORE | How many doses have been administered by California county, ZIP codeVaccine Tracker: How many people have been vaccinated across the country? Latest COVID-19 headlines Health officials flag ‘small’ reaction risk with Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine | Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine may pose a “small possible risk” of a rare but potentially dangerous neurological reaction, U.S. health officials said Monday. Pfizer to discuss COVID-19 vaccine booster with US officials Monday. Here’s what to expect | Pfizer says it plans to meet with top U.S. health officials Monday to discuss the drugmaker’s request for federal authorization of a third dose of its COVID-19 vaccine as President Joe Biden’s chief medical adviser acknowledged that “it is entirely conceivable, maybe likely” that booster shots will be needed. The beat goes on as Sacramento musicians start live gigs post-pandemic | The state’s economy getting back up and running again is music to the ears of audiences and musicians alike. ‘Treating all kids the same’: California schools still planning masks indoors, after latest CDC guidance | California schools are still planning to require that masks be worn indoors after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday that teachers and students vaccinated against COVID-19 did not need to mask up, state health officials said. The delta variant is spreading in CA. What parents with unvaccinated kids need to know this summer |The delta variant of the COVID-19 virus is spreading in California, but there are currently no vaccines approved for kids under the age of 12. ‘We’ve seen almost an entire takeover in the delta variant’: Uptick in COVID-19 cases causing alarm | The U.S. has surpassed 20,000 new COVID-19 cases for the fourth day in a row as the highly contagious delta variant persists in its track in being the most common form of the coronavirus in the country. Latest COVID-19 cases in California 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(App users, click here to see the latest COVID-19 case and testing numbers).Where can I get the COVID-19 vaccine?Californians can get their COVID-19 shots at community vaccination sites, doctor’s offices, clinics and pharmacies.You can find the state’s latest updates on covid19.ca.gov/vaccines and check the notification tool My Turn for information on eligibility and to schedule appointments. County health department websites are also a great tool for seeing what vaccine options are available. The state also promotes the online tool Vaccine Finder to help in locating a vaccination site near you.Pharmacy vaccine information:CVSRite AidWalgreensFrequently asked questions:Do I still have to wear a mask after getting the COVID-19 vaccine?In some cases. The CDC’s updated mask guidance says fully vaccinated Americans do not need to wear masks or physically distance indoors or outdoors, with some exceptions. People should wear masks in crowded indoor locations like airplanes, buses, hospitals and prisons. | MORE | What you need to know about California’s June 15 reopening: Masks, travel and moreHere are other cases where fully vaccinated people will need to wear a mask inside in California: Indoors in K-12 schools, child care and other youth settings. (Note: This may change as updated K-12 schools guidance is forthcoming from the CDC.)Homeless shelters, emergency shelters and cooling centersUnvaccinated people should continue to wear masks indoors at places like restaurants, movie theaters and grocery stores, says California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly.Additionally, Californians can continue to wear masks if they choose, especially around children and others who are vulnerable or not yet eligible for inoculation.Business owners could do the following: Ask customers if they are fully vaccinated so they can go without masks; ask customers to prove they are fully vaccinated so they can go without masks; require all customers to continue wearing masks regardless of whether or not they’re vaccinated.Should I get the vaccine if I’ve already had COVID-19?Yes. According to Dr. Stuart Cohen, chief of infectious diseases at UC Davis Health, data shows that someone who had and recovered from COVID-19 could be immune for about eight months, but that immunity would wane over time and be less effective as the virus changes.”So we still tell people that if they’ve had COVID-19, they should get vaccinated because that will boost their immune system and maybe cause the immunity to last longer. We just want people to wait probably three months after they have been diagnosed, or more so that they avoid getting a more severe reaction to the vaccine,” Dr. Cohen said.| MORE | COVID-19 Vaccine Questions: Can I test positive after getting the shot? What if I’ve already had COVID?Will the vaccine protect against the delta variant?The highly contagious delta strain of the COVID-19 virus has been circulating in the Greater Sacramento region for months now.According to experts, the Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are all effective against the new variant. However, some doctors are concerned about the areas with low vaccination rates because the virus could continue to mutate, and the next mutations could have a bigger impact on the vaccine efficacy.| MORE | COVID-19 delta variant in Sacramento region: How far has it spread and what are doctors recommending?What does it mean to be ‘fully vaccinated?’According to the CDC, people are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine. If you do not meet those requirements, regardless of age, you are not fully vaccinated. | MORE | Keep your COVID-19 vaccine card safe with a plastic holder or a protective sleeveDo I need to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test or vaccination prior to travel?If you choose to travel in the United States, you do not need to get tested before or after travel. You do not need to self-quarantine after travel.If traveling internationally, pay close attention to the situation at your international destination before traveling outside the United States. You do not need to get tested before leaving the United States unless your destination requires it.You do need to show a negative test or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before boarding an international flight to the United States.The CDC recommends you still get tested 3-5 days after international travel, but you do not need to self-quarantine after arriving in the United States.What should I know about the vaccines that have received emergency use authorization from the FDA?Moderna and Pfizer vaccinesHailed as vaccine game-changers for the medical community, health officials say both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are different than any other used for viruses such as the flu, measles or polio.Those COVID-19 vaccines currently approved under emergency use authorization contain what is called messenger RNA, which is being used to create new types of vaccines to protect against infectious diseases.According to the CDC, “to trigger an immune response, many vaccines put a weakened or inactivated germ into our bodies. Not mRNA vaccines. Instead, they teach our cells how to make a protein — or even just a piece of a protein — that triggers an immune response inside our bodies. That immune response, which produces antibodies, is what protects us from getting infected if the real virus enters our bodies.”Johnson & Johnson’s vaccineOn Feb. 28, the Food and Drug Administration authorized Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine — the first single-dose COVID-19 vaccine available in the U.S. and is one that “checks nearly all the boxes.”The vaccine, made by Janssen, J&J’s vaccine arm, was said to be safe and effective, and it’s considered flexible. It’s a single dose, and it doesn’t require special storage.The vaccine is authorized for people ages 18 and older.The CDC and the FDA on April 13 said they were investigating several cases of unusual clots that occurred 6 to 13 days after vaccination. The clots occurred in veins that drain blood from the brain and occurred together with low platelets. As a result, the agencies recommended a “pause” in vaccinations with J&J’s vaccine so investigators could look into the cases. Health officials said in an update on April 23 they were aware of 15 cases of the unusual clots since the government authorized use of the vaccine and nearly 8 million shots were given. All were women, most of them under 50. Three died, and seven remained hospitalized.The CDC and FDA lifted the pause, deciding that the vaccine’s benefits outweighed the rare risk of blood clots. They said the risk could be handled with warnings to help younger women decide if they should use that shot or an alternative.What vaccine side effects should I know about? You may have side effects that feel like flu, but they should go away in a couple of days, according to the CDC. Common side effects could include pain, swelling, fever, chills, tiredness and headache. A few people have experienced allergic reactions. If you have had an allergic reaction to a vaccine in the past, the CDC says to contact your doctor about the COVID-19 vaccine.Click here for more information from the CDC. More questions answered with our Get the Facts on the Vax reportsKCRA 3 has taken viewer questions about the vaccine to health experts. If you have other questions, fill out our survey or send us an email at newstips@kcra.com.Get the Facts on the Vax: Do you have to get multiple doses of the vaccine for it to be effective?Get the Facts on the Vax: When will the J&J vaccine be available for children 12 and up?Get the Facts on the Vax: Will I be charged for a COVID-19 vaccine?Get the Facts on the Vax: Why should I get vaccinated if I already had COVID-19?Get the Facts on the Vax: For how long will the vaccines be effective?Get the Facts on the Vax: Who should still be getting tested for COVID-19?Can COVID-19 vaccines affect my period?So you got the COVID-19 vaccine: 9 common questions answeredQ&A: Dr. Blumberg answers viewer questions about COVID-19 vaccine safetyYour guide to every COVID-19 vaccine questionYour COVID-19 Vaccine Questions: Facebook Live with Dr. Dean Blumberg, chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at UC Davis HealthCOVID-19 Vaccine Questions: Can I test positive after getting the shot? What if I’ve already had COVID? Should I get tested for COVID-19? Where can I get a test in California? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people should consider taking a COVID-19 test if you:Have symptoms of COVID-19.Have had close contact (within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more) with someone with confirmed COVID-19.*Have been asked or referred to get testing by their health care provider, local/external icon or state ​health department.*Fully vaccinated people without COVID-19 symptoms do not need to be tested after being exposed to someone with COVID-19. Here is where you can search for a testing site by address, city, county or ZIP code in California. For more information on testing, visit here.The FDA has also approved a test for COVID-19 that you can take at home. The test kits are available for purchase on Amazon with a turnaround time for results of 24 to 72 hours after the sample is shipped and received.How to protect yourself of COVID-19Here is where you find the state’s latest information on COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.There are six ways to protect yourself and family, according to the California Department of Public Health:• Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.• Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.• Cover a cough or sneeze with your sleeve, or disposable tissue. Wash your hands afterward.• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.• Stay away from work, school or other people if you become sick with respiratory symptoms like fever and cough.• Follow guidance from public health officials.What are the symptoms of COVID-19? Per the CDC, these are the symptoms you should watch out for:Fever or chillsCoughShortness of breath or difficulty breathingFatigueMuscle or body achesHeadacheNew loss of taste or smellSore throatCongestion or runny noseNausea or vomitingDiarrheaThis list does not include all possible symptoms. The CDC says to look for emergency warning signs for coronavirus. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:Trouble breathingPersistent pain or pressure in the chestNew confusionInability to wake or stay awakeBluish lips or face Call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you. Call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility: Notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19.Who is most at risk for coronavirus?Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms of COVID-19, according to the CDC.Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from the virus.— This Associated Press contributed to this report.

Now that everyone 12 and older is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in the U.S., millions of Californians have been partially or fully vaccinated and the state fully reopened its economy June 15.

Below you will find breakdowns of vaccination rates by area as well as answers to commonly asked questions about the vaccines, masks, do’s and don’ts and more:

How many vaccines have been administered in California?

| MORE | How many doses have been administered by California county, ZIP code

Vaccine Tracker: How many people have been vaccinated across the country?

Latest COVID-19 headlines

Latest COVID-19 cases in California

(App users, click here to see the latest COVID-19 case and testing numbers).

Where can I get the COVID-19 vaccine?

Californians can get their COVID-19 shots at community vaccination sites, doctor’s offices, clinics and pharmacies.

You can find the state’s latest updates on covid19.ca.gov/vaccines and check the notification tool My Turn for information on eligibility and to schedule appointments. County health department websites are also a great tool for seeing what vaccine options are available. The state also promotes the online tool Vaccine Finder to help in locating a vaccination site near you.

Pharmacy vaccine information:
CVS
Rite Aid
Walgreens

Frequently asked questions:

Do I still have to wear a mask after getting the COVID-19 vaccine?

In some cases. The CDC’s updated mask guidance says fully vaccinated Americans do not need to wear masks or physically distance indoors or outdoors, with some exceptions. People should wear masks in crowded indoor locations like airplanes, buses, hospitals and prisons.

| MORE | What you need to know about California’s June 15 reopening: Masks, travel and more

Here are other cases where fully vaccinated people will need to wear a mask inside in California:

  • Indoors in K-12 schools, child care and other youth settings. (Note: This may change as updated K-12 schools guidance is forthcoming from the CDC.)
  • Homeless shelters, emergency shelters and cooling centers

Unvaccinated people should continue to wear masks indoors at places like restaurants, movie theaters and grocery stores, says California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly.

Additionally, Californians can continue to wear masks if they choose, especially around children and others who are vulnerable or not yet eligible for inoculation.

Business owners could do the following: Ask customers if they are fully vaccinated so they can go without masks; ask customers to prove they are fully vaccinated so they can go without masks; require all customers to continue wearing masks regardless of whether or not they’re vaccinated.

Should I get the vaccine if I’ve already had COVID-19?

Yes. According to Dr. Stuart Cohen, chief of infectious diseases at UC Davis Health, data shows that someone who had and recovered from COVID-19 could be immune for about eight months, but that immunity would wane over time and be less effective as the virus changes.

“So we still tell people that if they’ve had COVID-19, they should get vaccinated because that will boost their immune system and maybe cause the immunity to last longer. We just want people to wait probably three months after they have been diagnosed, or more so that they avoid getting a more severe reaction to the vaccine,” Dr. Cohen said.

| MORE | COVID-19 Vaccine Questions: Can I test positive after getting the shot? What if I’ve already had COVID?

Will the vaccine protect against the delta variant?

The highly contagious delta strain of the COVID-19 virus has been circulating in the Greater Sacramento region for months now.

According to experts, the Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are all effective against the new variant. However, some doctors are concerned about the areas with low vaccination rates because the virus could continue to mutate, and the next mutations could have a bigger impact on the vaccine efficacy.

| MORE | COVID-19 delta variant in Sacramento region: How far has it spread and what are doctors recommending?

What does it mean to be ‘fully vaccinated?’

According to the CDC, people are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine. If you do not meet those requirements, regardless of age, you are not fully vaccinated.

| MORE | Keep your COVID-19 vaccine card safe with a plastic holder or a protective sleeve

Do I need to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test or vaccination prior to travel?

If you choose to travel in the United States, you do not need to get tested before or after travel. You do not need to self-quarantine after travel.

If traveling internationally, pay close attention to the situation at your international destination before traveling outside the United States. You do not need to get tested before leaving the United States unless your destination requires it.

You do need to show a negative test or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before boarding an international flight to the United States.

The CDC recommends you still get tested 3-5 days after international travel, but you do not need to self-quarantine after arriving in the United States.

What should I know about the vaccines that have received emergency use authorization from the FDA?

Moderna and Pfizer vaccines

Hailed as vaccine game-changers for the medical community, health officials say both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are different than any other used for viruses such as the flu, measles or polio.

Those COVID-19 vaccines currently approved under emergency use authorization contain what is called messenger RNA, which is being used to create new types of vaccines to protect against infectious diseases.

According to the CDC, “to trigger an immune response, many vaccines put a weakened or inactivated germ into our bodies. Not mRNA vaccines. Instead, they teach our cells how to make a protein — or even just a piece of a protein — that triggers an immune response inside our bodies. That immune response, which produces antibodies, is what protects us from getting infected if the real virus enters our bodies.”

Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine

On Feb. 28, the Food and Drug Administration authorized Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine — the first single-dose COVID-19 vaccine available in the U.S. and is one that “checks nearly all the boxes.”

The vaccine, made by Janssen, J&J’s vaccine arm, was said to be safe and effective, and it’s considered flexible. It’s a single dose, and it doesn’t require special storage.

The vaccine is authorized for people ages 18 and older.

The CDC and the FDA on April 13 said they were investigating several cases of unusual clots that occurred 6 to 13 days after vaccination. The clots occurred in veins that drain blood from the brain and occurred together with low platelets.

As a result, the agencies recommended a “pause” in vaccinations with J&J’s vaccine so investigators could look into the cases.

Health officials said in an update on April 23 they were aware of 15 cases of the unusual clots since the government authorized use of the vaccine and nearly 8 million shots were given. All were women, most of them under 50. Three died, and seven remained hospitalized.

The CDC and FDA lifted the pause, deciding that the vaccine’s benefits outweighed the rare risk of blood clots. They said the risk could be handled with warnings to help younger women decide if they should use that shot or an alternative.

What vaccine side effects should I know about?

You may have side effects that feel like flu, but they should go away in a couple of days, according to the CDC. Common side effects could include pain, swelling, fever, chills, tiredness and headache.

A few people have experienced allergic reactions. If you have had an allergic reaction to a vaccine in the past, the CDC says to contact your doctor about the COVID-19 vaccine.

Click here for more information from the CDC.

More questions answered with our Get the Facts on the Vax reports

KCRA 3 has taken viewer questions about the vaccine to health experts. If you have other questions, fill out our survey or send us an email at newstips@kcra.com.


Should I get tested for COVID-19? Where can I get a test in California?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people should consider taking a COVID-19 test if you:

  • Have symptoms of COVID-19.
  • Have had close contact (within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more) with someone with confirmed COVID-19.*
  • Have been asked or referred to get testing by their health care provider, local/external icon or state ​health department.

*Fully vaccinated people without COVID-19 symptoms do not need to be tested after being exposed to someone with COVID-19.

Here is where you can search for a testing site by address, city, county or ZIP code in California. For more information on testing, visit here.

The FDA has also approved a test for COVID-19 that you can take at home. The test kits are available for purchase on Amazon with a turnaround time for results of 24 to 72 hours after the sample is shipped and received.


How to protect yourself of COVID-19

Here is where you find the state’s latest information on COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.

There are six ways to protect yourself and family, according to the California Department of Public Health:

• Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

• Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.

• Cover a cough or sneeze with your sleeve, or disposable tissue. Wash your hands afterward.

• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.

• Stay away from work, school or other people if you become sick with respiratory symptoms like fever and cough.

• Follow guidance from public health officials.


What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Per the CDC, these are the symptoms you should watch out for:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

This list does not include all possible symptoms.

The CDC says to look for emergency warning signs for coronavirus. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
  • New confusion
  • Inability to wake or stay awake
  • Bluish lips or face

Call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you. Call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility: Notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19.

Who is most at risk for coronavirus?

Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms of COVID-19, according to the CDC.

Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from the virus.

— This Associated Press contributed to this report.

Read original article here

Father abducts 11-year-old after stabbing mother, police say

Modesto police have issued an Amber Alert on Sunday for an 11-year-old boy who is believed to have been abducted by his father after the man stabbed the child’s mother. Adler Lopez Lara was taken by Walter Fernando Zuniga Lara, of Modesto, from the Motel 6 on West Orangeburge Avenue in the city, police said. Walter Lara was driving a silver BMW, that was later found without the two inside, police said. Police believe that prior to the abduction Walter Lara stabbed Adler’s mother Saturday around 9 p.m. while in the parking lot of the Motel 6, leaving her in critical condition. It was not clear if the child was at the scene of the stabbing.Police believe that Adler may be in danger and are asking anyone that has seen him and Walter Lara to call 911 immediately.

Modesto police have issued an Amber Alert on Sunday for an 11-year-old boy who is believed to have been abducted by his father after the man stabbed the child’s mother.

Adler Lopez Lara was taken by Walter Fernando Zuniga Lara, of Modesto, from the Motel 6 on West Orangeburge Avenue in the city, police said. Walter Lara was driving a silver BMW, that was later found without the two inside, police said.

Police believe that prior to the abduction Walter Lara stabbed Adler’s mother Saturday around 9 p.m. while in the parking lot of the Motel 6, leaving her in critical condition. It was not clear if the child was at the scene of the stabbing.

Police believe that Adler may be in danger and are asking anyone that has seen him and Walter Lara to call 911 immediately.

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Californians 50 and over eligible for COVID-19 vaccine April 1

REMAIN LOW AND STEADY. STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY THAT ONCE AGAIN, THERE WERE JUST UNDER TWO THOUSAND NEW INFECTIONS ON TUESDAY. THE POSITIVITY RATE IS 1.8%. THAT’S AMONG THE LOWEST IN THE COUNTRY. TY: WITH THOSE PROMISING NUMBERS, KCRA 3’S BRIAN HICKEY IS LIVE IN SACRAMENTO WITH A LOOK AT THE VACCINATION CHANGES TODAY. >> ANYONE 50 AND OVER IS ELIGIBLE TO GET THE VACCINE TODAY. THAT’S ABOUT A THIRD OF CALIFORNIA’S POPULATION ELIGIBLE. IF YOU CAN FIND AN APPOINTMENT. THAT ADDS UP TO 10.6 MILLION PEOPLE ELIGIBLE FOR THE VACCINE THROUGH THE SUPPLY OF DOSES CONTINUES TO BE A CHALLENGE FOR CLINICS AND PHARMACIES. ON THE MY WEBSITE, RESIDENTS MAY NEED TO WAIT SEVERAL WEEKS AS MORE PEOPLE BECOME ELIGIBLE. THE STATE HAS APPROVED 50 AND OLDER, BUT THE VACCINE IS SAFE AND EFFECTIVE FOR THOSE 12 AND OLDER. SOME ARE OPENING THEIR VACCINES UP — TO THOSE AT 16 AND OLDER. AMADOR COUNTY IS OFFERING IT TO ANYONE 18 AND OLDER. DOCTORS SAY FOR EVERY PERSON WHO GETS A SHOT WE ARE ONE STEP CLOSER TO ENDING THE PANDEMIC. >> THE END IS IN SIGHT. WE HAVE A NUMBER OF EXCELLENT, SAFE, AND EFFECTIVE VACCINES. AS IN HIS WE CAN GET THOSE ADMINISTERED, — AND AS SOON AS WE CAN GET THOSE ADMINISTERED WE CAN RETURN TO A SENSE OF NORMAL. ANNETTE — SOME ADVICE TO GET THE APPOINTMENTS. YOU ARE URGED TO CHECK WITH YOUR PRIMARY HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS. YOU CAN ALSO GO TO THE MIKE TURNER WEBSITE AND REGISTER THEIR. IT WILL SEND YOU A NOTIFICATION. ALSO, THERE’S ANOTHER WEBSITE CALLED VACCINE FINDER. I WENT IN AND PUT IN THE SACRAMENTO ZIP CODE AND A 50 MILE RADIUS AND I WAS ABLE TO FIND A COUPLE LOCATIONS THAT HAD AVAILABILITY FOR NEXT WEEK. YOU HAVE TO KEEP SEARCHING AND BE PERSISTENT. IF YOU DON’T FIND ONE TODAY, TRY AGAIN TOMORROW. EVERYONE IS TRYING TO GET ONE AND THERE’S NOT ENOUGH TO GO AROUND. BE PERSISTEN

Californians 50 and over eligible for COVID-19 vaccine today

Starting Thursday, all Californians 50 and older are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Everyone ages 16 or older will be eligible on April 15. What remains an issue in the fight against the virus is supply, which continues to be limited across the state.You can find the state’s latest updates on www.covid19.ca.gov/vaccines and check the notification tool My Turn for information on eligibility and to schedule appointments. County health department websites are also a great tool for seeing what vaccine options are available. The state also promotes the online tool Vaccine Finder to find a vaccination site near you. According to California’s Department of Public Health, health care providers can make the call to give doses of the vaccine to people outside eligible groups in order to avoid wasting them. Here’s what people without appointments should know about vaccine chasing.Some counties have opened vaccines to those 16 and over, including Stanislaus and Butte counties, while Amador is offering the vaccine to residents 18 and over. KCRA 3 reached out to counties and health care providers to see what options are available for people trying to make vaccination appointments.Sacramento CountyAppointments cannot be prescheduled unless a person is eligible to receive the vaccine.On April 1, appointments will be opened to those ages 50 and older.Appointments are necessary at this time.No walk-up clinics.Appointments can be made through the county’s website.Yolo CountyAppointments cannot be prescheduled unless a person is eligible to receive the vaccine.It’s possible some appointments may be opened this week for those becoming eligible April 1.Appointments are necessary at this time.No walk-up clinics.Appointments can be made through the county’s website.Placer CountyAppointments at county site cannot be prescheduled unless a person is eligible to receive the vaccine.Other local providers allow prescheduled appointments, including Remedy RX, a county pharmacy partner.Appointments are necessary at this time.No walk-up clinics.Appointments can be made through the county’s website.Stanislaus CountyAppointments at county site cannot be prescheduled unless a person is eligible to receive the vaccine. County residents 16 years old and up are eligible for COVID-19 vaccines starting April 1. Appointments recommended.Walk-in at all county sites available, while vaccine supply lasts.Appointments can be made through the state’s scheduling system, MyTurn, or by calling 833-422-4225.San Joaquin CountyAppointments at county site cannot be prescheduled unless a person is eligible to receive the vaccine.Residents can sign up through the state’s scheduling site, MyTurn to sign up for notification when eligible to make an appointment.Appointments are necessary at this time.Not currently taking first-dose appointments at county sites.No walk-up clinics.Appointments can be made through MyTurn or through the county’s website.Kaiser PermanenteAppointments cannot be prescheduled unless a person is eligible to receive the vaccine.Updates on eligibility and appointments available here.Dignity HealthNon-members are eligible to make appointments.No walk-up clinics.Appointments can be made through MyTurn.Major pharmacy chains CVS, Rite Aid and Walgreens are also involved in vaccination efforts.You may also be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine by volunteering at a clinic. Here is how you can find volunteer opportunities. | MORE | COVID-19 vaccines in California: Everything you need to knowFor every person who gets inoculated, we become one step closer to ending the pandemic, health care experts say.”The end is in sight,” said Dr. Nicolas Sawyer with UC Davis Health. “We have a number of safe and excellent vaccines, and as soon as we can get those administered to the majority of the population and reach herd immunity, we’re going to be able to return to a sense of new normal.” App users, click here to see the below charts.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

Starting Thursday, all Californians 50 and older are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Everyone ages 16 or older will be eligible on April 15. What remains an issue in the fight against the virus is supply, which continues to be limited across the state.

You can find the state’s latest updates on www.covid19.ca.gov/vaccines and check the notification tool My Turn for information on eligibility and to schedule appointments. County health department websites are also a great tool for seeing what vaccine options are available. The state also promotes the online tool Vaccine Finder to find a vaccination site near you.

According to California’s Department of Public Health, health care providers can make the call to give doses of the vaccine to people outside eligible groups in order to avoid wasting them. Here’s what people without appointments should know about vaccine chasing.

Some counties have opened vaccines to those 16 and over, including Stanislaus and Butte counties, while Amador is offering the vaccine to residents 18 and over.

KCRA 3 reached out to counties and health care providers to see what options are available for people trying to make vaccination appointments.

Sacramento County

  • Appointments cannot be prescheduled unless a person is eligible to receive the vaccine.
  • On April 1, appointments will be opened to those ages 50 and older.
  • Appointments are necessary at this time.
  • No walk-up clinics.
  • Appointments can be made through the county’s website.

Yolo County

  • Appointments cannot be prescheduled unless a person is eligible to receive the vaccine.
  • It’s possible some appointments may be opened this week for those becoming eligible April 1.
  • Appointments are necessary at this time.
  • No walk-up clinics.
  • Appointments can be made through the county’s website.

Placer County

  • Appointments at county site cannot be prescheduled unless a person is eligible to receive the vaccine.
  • Other local providers allow prescheduled appointments, including Remedy RX, a county pharmacy partner.
  • Appointments are necessary at this time.
  • No walk-up clinics.
  • Appointments can be made through the county’s website.

Stanislaus County

  • Appointments at county site cannot be prescheduled unless a person is eligible to receive the vaccine. County residents 16 years old and up are eligible for COVID-19 vaccines starting April 1.
  • Appointments recommended.
  • Walk-in at all county sites available, while vaccine supply lasts.
  • Appointments can be made through the state’s scheduling system, MyTurn, or by calling 833-422-4225.

San Joaquin County

  • Appointments at county site cannot be prescheduled unless a person is eligible to receive the vaccine.
  • Residents can sign up through the state’s scheduling site, MyTurn to sign up for notification when eligible to make an appointment.
  • Appointments are necessary at this time.
  • Not currently taking first-dose appointments at county sites.
  • No walk-up clinics.
  • Appointments can be made through MyTurn or through the county’s website.

Kaiser Permanente

  • Appointments cannot be prescheduled unless a person is eligible to receive the vaccine.
  • Updates on eligibility and appointments available here.

Dignity Health

  • Non-members are eligible to make appointments.
  • No walk-up clinics.
  • Appointments can be made through MyTurn.

Major pharmacy chains CVS, Rite Aid and Walgreens are also involved in vaccination efforts.

You may also be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine by volunteering at a clinic. Here is how you can find volunteer opportunities.

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

For every person who gets inoculated, we become one step closer to ending the pandemic, health care experts say.

“The end is in sight,” said Dr. Nicolas Sawyer with UC Davis Health. “We have a number of safe and excellent vaccines, and as soon as we can get those administered to the majority of the population and reach herd immunity, we’re going to be able to return to a sense of new normal.”

App users, click here to see the below charts.

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Monoclonal antibody therapy shows promise among Modesto community clinic COVID-19 patients

>> WE ARE HERE IN STANISLAUS COUNTY AT THE MODESTO MISSION CLINIC. WE ARE GOING TO WALK THROUGH THE CLINIC AS IF YOU ARE THE PATIENT. >> THIS IS A LOOK AT HOW MONOCLONAL THERAPY WORKS IT IS A PROMISING PREVENTATIVE MEASURE THAT COULD REDUCE SERIOUS, LOCATIONS DUE TO THE VIRUS. >> IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO. WE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITY A HEALTHIER COMMUNITY. >> GOLDEN VALLEY HEALTH CENTERS IS THE ONLY OUTPATIENT CLINIC THAT OFFERS THIS TREATMENT. >> UNDERUTILIZED MEDICATION. >> WE HAVE A LIST OF — >> THREE WHERE THE LAST TO RECEIVE THE INFUSION. >> HE SAID HE CAN BREATHE BETTER. HE WANTED TO GO OUT. >> SHE SAYS THERE ARE SOME REQUIREMENTS FOR THEIR CLINIC. PATIENTS MUST BE 18 AND OLDER, MUST WEIGH AT LEAST 88 POUNDS. IT MUST OCCUR WITHIN 10POSSIBLE MUST UNDERLYING CONDITION. >> IF YOU HAVE CANCER. THOSE ARE EXAMPLES. >> WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SIDE EFFECTS INVOLVED WITH THIS TYPE OF TREATMENT? >> FEVER. BIT OF CHILLS. NAUSEA. >> THEIR PATIENTS HAVE NOT HAD ANY ADVERSE REACTIONS. SHE SAYS THE IMPACT OF THIS TREATMENT IS MULTIFACETED. >> THIS WILL DEFINITELY ALLEVIATE THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM. IT WILL INCLUDING FAMILIES EMOTIONALLY AFFECTED BY COVID 19 DEATHS. >> KAY RECEDE. >> THE TREATMENT IS OFFERED FOR FREE FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND SENT DIRECTLY TO GOLDEN VALLEY. DOCTOR SORIANO SAYS ANYONE NEWLY DIAGNOSED WITH COVID-19 WHO FITS THE CRITERIA CAN CONTACT THE CL

Monoclonal antibody therapy shows promise among Modesto community clinic COVID-19 patients

A new treatment among COVID-19 positive patients at a Modesto area community health care clinic has shown promising results.The FDA approved monoclonal antibody therapy for emergency use in November. Golden Valley Health Centers began using the therapy the first week of February.Dr. Elaine Soriano said the treatment is a promising preventative measure that may reduce serious complications due to the virus.”(This is a) wonderful medication that is available to everyone, and we are happy at Golden Valley Health Centers to offer this medication for you if you have COVID and considered high risk,” Dr. Soriano told KCRA 3.Dr. Soriano added that GVHC is the only outpatient clinic in Modesto that currently offers the treatment used in this way.”Honestly, this is an underutilized medication that people may not know that it’s out there,” she said.She said, so far, patients have reacted well to the treatment, “and one of the patients that I talked to, he actually said could breathe better, his chest opened, up and he wanted to go out.”Dr. Soriano said there are some requirements.To receive treatment at GVHC, patients must be 18 or older, must weigh at least 88 pounds, the treatment must be used within the first 10 days of possible exposure, symptoms must be mild to moderate, and patients must have an underlying health condition, and if someone has an “immuno-compromised condition such as, you’re in chemotherapy, you have cancer, you have rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, those are just examples.”Dr. Soriano said in a clinical trial, side effects were similar to other infusion treatments, and occurred in less than 1% of users, “Low-grade fever, a little bit of chills, sometimes itchiness, nausea,” but she explained that none of their patients, so far, have had any adverse reactions. She also said, the potential impact of the treatment is multi-faceted.”This will definitely alleviate our healthcare system, this will definitely help everybody, including the families who are emotionally affected by the COVID-19 due to deaths of their families,” she said.The treatment is offered for free from the federal government and sent directly to Golden Valley Health Centers. Dr. Soriano encourages anyone who may have the criteria, to contact their health clinics.

A new treatment among COVID-19 positive patients at a Modesto area community health care clinic has shown promising results.

The FDA approved monoclonal antibody therapy for emergency use in November. Golden Valley Health Centers began using the therapy the first week of February.

Dr. Elaine Soriano said the treatment is a promising preventative measure that may reduce serious complications due to the virus.

“(This is a) wonderful medication that is available to everyone, and we are happy at Golden Valley Health Centers to offer this medication for you if you have COVID and considered high risk,” Dr. Soriano told KCRA 3.

Dr. Soriano added that GVHC is the only outpatient clinic in Modesto that currently offers the treatment used in this way.

“Honestly, this is an underutilized medication that people may not know that it’s out there,” she said.

She said, so far, patients have reacted well to the treatment, “and one of the patients that I talked to, he actually said could breathe better, his chest opened, up and he wanted to go out.”

Dr. Soriano said there are some requirements.

To receive treatment at GVHC, patients must be 18 or older, must weigh at least 88 pounds, the treatment must be used within the first 10 days of possible exposure, symptoms must be mild to moderate, and patients must have an underlying health condition, and if someone has an “immuno-compromised condition such as, you’re in chemotherapy, you have cancer, you have rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, those are just examples.”

Dr. Soriano said in a clinical trial, side effects were similar to other infusion treatments, and occurred in less than 1% of users, “Low-grade fever, a little bit of chills, sometimes itchiness, nausea,” but she explained that none of their patients, so far, have had any adverse reactions.

She also said, the potential impact of the treatment is multi-faceted.

“This will definitely alleviate our healthcare system, this will definitely help everybody, including the families who are emotionally affected by the COVID-19 due to deaths of their families,” she said.

The treatment is offered for free from the federal government and sent directly to Golden Valley Health Centers.

Dr. Soriano encourages anyone who may have the criteria, to contact their health clinics.

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