Hospital To Provide Regular Covid Updates
September 1, 2021Leer en español
Community COVID-19 Update: Wednesday, September 1, 2021
To help keep everyone informed of Covid-19 developments, starting the week of September 13, we will provide our community with Covid updates twice a month via email. These updates can be found at our website, sonomavalleyhospital.org along with links to other information resources including local vaccination and testing availability. Updates will report on the presence of Covid-19 in our community and region, and share the latest information and recommendations from county, state and federal agencies.
If you are seeking general information about the vaccine, testing, and resources, we invite you to call our Covid Hotline at 707.935.5440. You can also contact our Community Outreach Department and they will connect you with expert resources to best address your concerns and questions. You may contact us by email at community@sonomavalleyhospital.org or by phone at 707.935.5257. If you wish to receive emails from SVH, you can sign up at our website https://www.sonomavalleyhospital.org/subscribe/.
Covid-19 Increasing in Sonoma County
With the recent increase in positive Covid-19 cases in California, largely due to the more transmissible Delta variant, the Covid landscape has begun to change.
Although most of the Covid-19 spread is among the unvaccinated, breakthrough cases affecting the vaccinated are being reported with rare hospitalizations. For more information about the Delta variant risk for those fully vaccinated, and recommended precautions, go to www.socoemergency.org.
“We are ready to respond quickly in the event we see a significant increase of admissions because of COVID-19,” said John Hennelly, SVH CEO. “Last year we prepared the hospital to accommodate an increase in patients, if needed, and we have maintained these extra beds. Working closely with our community partners, the County’s Public Health Officer, Department of Public Health, and UCSF, and following CDC guidelines, we are staying abreast of the latest developments and safety guidelines for staff, patients and our community,” he said.
Vaccine Boosters and Additional Doses Update
We have been receiving inquiries about additional doses and booster vaccines since the FDA announced emergency use authorization for those who are moderate to severely immunocompromised in early August. If you are immunocompromised, you can now schedule a booster dose through the website https://www.myturn.ca.gov. For those who are not immunocompromised and are fully vaccinated, the FDA has not yet approved additional vaccine doses. As soon as we know more, you will be informed. You can check our website sonomavalleyhospital.org for updates and current information.
New Mandates for Healthcare Workers and Non-Patient Visitors
The hospital maintains strict safety protocols so community members can feel secure about seeking routine care. Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Sabrina Kidd recently noted, “The hospital is well out in front of new mandates to vaccinate all healthcare workers, as 94 percent of staff members and 99 percent of medical staff are currently vaccinated, and this will increase this month.” In the meantime, any unvaccinated staff are masked and regularly tested, she said.
As part of other new regulations, non-patient visitors either must show that they are fully vaccinated or have had a negative Covid-19 test collected and resulted within 72 hours of each visit. Dr. Kidd also said the hospital continues Covid testing for all patients admitted or undergoing procedures. The hospital now has the technology to handle all Covid testing quickly and in-house.
When Visiting The Hospital
To ensure safety for patients, staff, community, and our vendors, there are now two entry points at the hospital. Those coming to receive emergency care, enter the hospital through the Emergency Department. Those coming to the hospital for patient services and visiting inpatients should enter through the Main Lobby. Patient services include: medical imaging, medical records, cardiopulmonary testing, wound care, occupational health, mammography, surgery, orthopedics, infusions, and labs.
We remind those coming to the hospital that, everyone must wear a mask at all times regardless of vaccination status.
Please stay safe and, if you haven’t done so yet, get vaccinated.
E-Mail
