Covid Cases Are Rising So Please Mask-Up and Stay Vigilant

January 11, 2022

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CEO Community Update Tuesday, January 11, 2022 (updated 01/11/22, 5:30 pm)

We thank everyone for their contributions to help prevent the spread of Covid this past year. It has been 25 months since the pandemic began and 13 months since vaccines became available.  In that time, close to75% of Sonoma Valley’s population (zip codes 95476 and 95442) has been vaccinated and the number of those being boosted is growing. Now, because of your standing in line to be vaccinated or getting tested to be certain you are Covid-free, you have made our community a safer place for all, Thank you.

Where We Are With Current Rising Positive Cases

In the past sixteen days the number of Covid-related visits to our Emergency Department has risen. We are again seeing serious illness and hospitalizations. We find the majority of those requiring hospitalization, and especially ICU-level care, are not up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccinations or are unvaccinated.  You can see below that the cases among the unvaccinated in Sonoma County have skyrocketed compared to cases among the vaccinated. Masking and social distancing helps to protect all of us, but vaccines are the key to preventing serious illness and hospitalizations.

New Sonoma County Health Order – C19-35 – Gatherings, Effective 12:01 am, 01/12/2022
HealthOrder and FAQs: https://socoemergency.org/order-of-the-health-officer-c19-35/

To reduce and mitigate the spread of Covid, the County Public Officer issued Health Order C19-35 which prohibits large gatherings (indoors – 50 or more; outdoors – 100 or more).  The order goes into effect midnight January 12 and continues through February 11, 2022 unless the County Health Officer amends, supersedes, extends, or rescinds it. We ask that you take a moment and read the entire Order and the FAQs (frequently asked questions).

Sonoma Valley Hospital, the Sonoma Valley Community Health Center and the County are doing all they can despite staffing shortages to ensure that everyone has access to testing and vaccines. More sites should be available in the next several weeks. Your patience is needed and appreciated.

Prevention, Best Tools To Use

The current Covid variant, Omicron, spreads easily and quickly. In most incidents symptoms are apparent within a couple of days following exposure.  People who have up-to-date vaccinations (primary series and a booster), yet still get the virus, are found to experience fewer symptoms on average. To help prevent and mitigate the spread of COVID-19, we recommend the following guidelines:

• Wear a surgical style or better mask to protect yourself and others and stop the spread of COVID-19.

• Stay at least 6 feet apart (about 2 arm lengths) from others who don’t live with you.
• Continue supporting local eateries in Sonoma Valley through curbside pick-up or delivery to avoid unmasked indoor settings.
• Avoid all large indoor settings for now.
• Get Up-to-Date vaccine status = primary dose(s) + booster
  (J&J 1-dose+booster, Pfizer and Moderna 2-doses + booster).
• Clean your hands often.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick or Covid positive. If you live with someone who might be positive, isolate them as much as possible and wear a mask in common spaces.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.
• Clean frequently touched objects and surfaces daily. If someone is sick or has tested positive for COVID-19, disinfect frequently touched surfaces, and wash your hands.
• Monitor your health daily and immediately isolate and seek testing should you develop any symptoms of Covid-19 and follow-up with your healthcare provider as needed.
• If your symptoms are severe, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest Emergency Department

Updates at Sonoma Valley Hospital, Effective January 4:

Visitations:  At this time visitors are not allowed into the Hospital. Essential visitors are allowed as caregivers to assist the patient with their needs. Our inpatient care teams will assist with virtual visits to keep family and loved ones engaged during inpatient stays.

Masking: When you arrive at entry screening, you will be given a surgical mask to wear IF YOU DO NOT have one or a KN95/N95 mask  on already.  Cloth masks may only be worn OVER a surgical style mask if desired but are not acceptable by themselves.

Testing: There are currently two recurring Sonoma County testing sites in the Valley:  Fiesta Plaza Monday – Fridays from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm, appointment only; Boyes Hot Springs Park ‘n Ride Sundays from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm, appointment only. New appointments appear daily so keep checking!  COVID testing at Sonoma Valley Hospital is by physician order determined by severity of symptoms and exposures.  To learn more about recurring and pop-up testing sites serving Sonoma Valley and Sonoma County, visit: www.sonomavalleyhospital.org

Vaccines and Boosters:  Sonoma Valley Community Health Center is managing the majority of pediatric and adult vaccine and booster sites in the Valley.  Fox Home Health (Santa Rosa) directs a pop-up clinic in collaboration with the S.O.S. at the Springs Community Hall. To learn more about vaccine clinics based in Sonoma Valley, visit:  www.sonomavalleyhospital.org

If you do not have a primary healthcare provider, many agencies in the Valley and in the County can assist you. Please connect with our Community Outreach team for assistance: 707.935.5257.

From all of us at Sonoma Valley Hospital and the Sonoma Valley Health Care District – let’s continue community collaboration by supporting each other, our valley based businesses, and our healthcare professionals.

Sincerely,

John

John Hennelly, President and CEO
Sonoma Valley Hospital
administration@sonomavalleyhospital.org 

Community Resources can be found at:

Sonoma Valley Hospital: https://www.sonomavalleyhospital.org

SVH Community Outreach: 707.935.5257  or community@sonomavalleyhospital.org

Sonoma Valley Community Health Center: https://svchc.org

Sonoma Valley Health Partners: https://www.svhpvaccines.org

City of Sonoma/Community Resources: https://www.sonomacity.org

Sonoma County/County Resources and Covid data: https://www.socoemergency.org

La Luz Center: https://www.laluzcenter.org or 707.938.5131

Vintage House: https://www.vintagehouse.org or 707.996.0311