Sonora, CA…Tuolumne County is reporting 32 new community cases (20 Saturday, 12 Sunday) and 23 new SCC inmate cases (1 Saturday, 22 Sunday) for a total of 55 new cases over the weekend (Jan.16-17). One of the new cases is hospitalized and the remaining individuals appear to be isolating. Twenty-one individuals have been released from isolation. We are sad to report an additional death of a male in his 70’s. Our condolences to his family and friends. This weekend’s new case demographics: Under 20: Males- 4 Females- 2 20s: Males– 1 Females- 2 30s: Males– 1 Females- 3 40s: Males– 2 Females- 3 50s: Males– 2 Females- 2 60s: Males– 4 Females- 2 70s: Males– 2 Females- 1 80s: Males– 0 Females–1 90s: Males– 0 Females–0

Public Health continues to distribute vaccine within Phase 1A of the State Vaccine Distribution Plan and we are beginning to move into Phase 1B. We are working with our healthcare partners to coordinate the continued administration of vaccine according to; State guidelines, the availability of vaccine that Public Health and healthcare providers have on hand, and resources to administer. We ask the public to please continue following our website and local media for updates.

As we continue our planning and await further guidance and delivery of vaccine, proceeding through the phased distribution, we will update our website and inform the public of how, where, and when they can get expect to get vaccinated. Our vaccine information website with information on the phases and tiers can be found here: https://www.tuolumnecounty.ca.gov/1317/COVID-Vaccine Thank you all for your patience as we work with the state and our local partners to get vaccine received and distributed to our community as quickly and safely as possible.

We were notified on Sunday that a higher than usual number of adverse events were reported with a specific lot of Moderna vaccine which was administered at a vaccination clinic outside of Tuolumne County. Out of an extreme abundance of caution, providers are recommended to pause the use of this lot of Moderna vaccine while the CDC and FDA review the situation. Tuolumne County Public Health has received some of this lot number and it has been put aside and will not be used at this time.

COVID-19 testing is available now both at the Mother Fairgrounds testing site, which is open 7 days a week, and the traveling testing site which will be open at the Groveland Community Hall on Mondays and Tuolumne Memorial Hall on Thursdays from 7 AM to 7 PM. Please note that the Tuolumne site will NOT be open this Thursday, January 21st due to a scheduling conflict. Walk-ins will be accepted the travel sites, but appointments are recommended and are available a week ahead of time and can be made at the same LHI website as the fairgrounds site. Individuals can select the site location when making their appointment. www.lhi.care/covidtesting or by calling 888-634-1123.

Tuolumne County and the rest of the San Joaquin Valley Region remain in the Stay at Home Order. The region reports 0% available ICU capacity and more of the regions are reporting at or near 0%. More information on the Regional Stay at Home Order can be found here: https://covid19.ca.gov/stay-home-except-for-essential-needs/#regional-stay-home-order Information on the Blueprint framework can be viewed here: https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/#county-status