Amador County, CA… Amador County Public Health reports 132 more cases of COVID-19 and 1 additional death since the August 10th, 2021 update, bringing the total laboratory confirmed case count to 2,341. The community member who passed was a female in her 60s. The current cases include 67 males and 65 females; 30 children under the age of 18 years, 54 aged 18-49, 28 aged 50-64, 20 age 65 and above; 26 residing in Ione, 37 in Jackson, 10 living in Plymouth/surrounding areas, 15 in Pine Grove, 13 residing in Pioneer, 24 in Sutter Creek/Amador City, and 7 residing in Volcano. 1,107 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in 2021 to date. Of the new cases this week, 28 were vaccinated.

The rise in COVID-19 cases and hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions continues to impact our local hospital. Fifteen Amador residents are currently hospitalized locally with COVID-19, in addition to 2 residents from other counties. Of those hospitalized, only 1 was vaccinated. “Like other health systems in Northern California, we are seeing an increase of visits to our emergency departments and in COVID-19
hospitalizations,” reports Rachel McKinney, Interim CEO at Sutter Amador Hospital. “We are carefully monitoring the situation and are able to adjust our operations accordingly. It is important the public seek care
when needed. The hospital remains open and able to provide high-quality care to patients. Please know safety precautions at Sutter Amador remain in effect to help protect the health and safety of patients and staff, including universal masking, physical distancing and some visitor restrictions. Vaccination is the best step we can take to put this pandemic behind us. COVID-19 vaccines are safe, highly effective, free and
widely available.”

On Friday, August 20th, a vaccine pop-up clinic will be offered in Amador City at 14167 Main Street from 10 am to 1 pm. Both the Pfizer vaccine and the Johnson and Johnson (single-dose) vaccine are offered at each
pop-up site. No appointment is necessary. Next week vaccines will be offered at First 5 Amador in Jackson on Tuesday, August 24th
, from 12 pm to 3 pm. Public Health also offers vaccines by appointment and to homebound individuals. Appointments may be scheduled by calling (209) 223-6407. COVID-19 vaccine is also available at local pharmacies. Visit the Vaccines.gov website for more information.

On August 14, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended a third dose of vaccine for significantly immunocompromised individuals as they may have a reduced immune response. Some examples of conditions that would qualify for an additional dose are individuals receiving active cancer treatment, organ transplant recipients, advanced HIV infection, and those taking high-dose steroid therapy or other drugs that suppress the immune system. Those who may be eligible for the additional dose of vaccine should discuss their situation with their primary care provider.

Over 36,100 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered to Amador residents to date. 66.3% of eligible Amador County residents, age 12 and over, have had at least one dose of vaccine and over 16,200 are fully vaccinated.

Everyone exhibiting symptoms, even fully vaccinated individuals, should isolate and be tested. No-cost COVID-19 testing now has expanded hours and is available on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays from 7 am to 7 pm. Register for testing at the lhi.care website or by calling 1-888-634-1123. Appointment registration is recommended as those pre-registered are prioritized. Masks are required at the testing site.

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