Sonora, CA…Tuolumne County is reporting 12 new community cases and 1 new SCC inmate cases today. All of the new cases appear to be isolating, one earlier reported case is now hospitalized, and 2 individuals have been released from isolation. Of the 12 new community cases, 1 is a Tuolumne County Jail inmate, for a total of 8 involved in the current outbreak investigation.

Testing data and updated demographics data are not available for report today due to technical issues with CalREDIE, the State reporting system. New community case demographics: 0-17: Females – 1 Males – 0 18-29: Females – 2 Males – 1 30-39: Females – 0 Males – 1 40-49: Females – 2 Males – 2 50-59: Females – 1 Males – 0 60-69: Females – 0 Males – 0 70-79: Females – 2 Males – 0 80-89: Females – 0 Males – 0 90+: Females – 0 Males – 0

The next COVID-19 Information Night is scheduled for Wednesday, March 3rd at 6 P.M. The public is invited to participate via the Teams forum (download of the Teams app/platform is needed to join). More information can be found here: https://fb.me/e/1hIQSnYLw

Public Health continues to distribute vaccine within Phase 1A and Phase 1B of the State COVID Vaccine Distribution Plan, including those 65 and older, as well as the education & childcare, emergency services, and food & agriculture sectors. We are planning to continue our first and second dose Points of Dispensing (PODs) weekly as vaccine supply allows. Our next clinic to administer first doses is tomorrow, February 25th.

We continue to work with the State and our local healthcare partners on administration of the 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 follow 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

Strategies to get vaccinated in Tuolumne County: • Submit your information on the Tuolumne County Public Health Department Vaccine Inquiry Form a. Navigate online to https://www.tuolumnecounty.ca.gov/1317/COVID-Vaccine, navigate to the bottom of the page and click on “VACCINE INTEREST FORM”, complete the form and click on “SUBMIT”. This does not guarantee an appointment, but provides Public Health with your information so that we may reach out to you when it is your turn. • Adventist Health Sonora Hospital Clinic Registration (as available) a. Navigate online to https://www.adventisthealth.org/sonora/patient-resources/covid-19-vaccine/, read through the information provided and scroll down to the bottom of the page and Click on “Schedule your appointment”, answer the questions and follow the prompts to complete the process the click on “Submit”

If you are a patient at a clinic outside of the Adventist System Network of clinics you should also call your own clinic for advice and information on their vaccination plans. • The Sonora VA Clinic may also be an option for some. For more information navigate online to https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/ and read through the information and click on “Sign up to stay informed”. Then follow the prompts. • CVS and Rite Aid have begun vaccinating those 65 and older at their pharmacy by appointment. Information can be found here: https://www.cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine and here: https://www.riteaid.com/pharmacy/covid-qualifier

We are coordinating with the Sonora Safeway pharmacy to begin vaccinating individuals 65 and older beginning next Monday, March 1st. Individuals who fit into the eligible category may register for an appointment at this link: mhealthsystem.com/3127tuolumne Those with appointments will need to bring their Identification with them and additional details will be provided at the time of appointment registration. 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.

The State recently announced the statewide rollout of a new COVID vaccination registration system called MyTurn. At this time, we still recommend those in Phase 1A and Phase 1B to complete our Vaccine Inquiry Form if they are interested in getting the vaccine to ensure that we have your information and can contact you when it’s time: https://www.tuolumnecounty.ca.gov/1317/COVID-Vaccine MyTurn is tentatively scheduled to go live in early March and we will be sharing more details and information on how we and the public will be using MyTurn as our team learns more and onboards to the new system. The website and process are not fully functional in all counties yet, but can be viewed here: https://myturn.ca.gov/

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. 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.