County Introduces Coronavirus Quarantine and Isolation Calculator
San Bernardino County has added a new enhancement to its COVID-19 website: a Quarantine and Isolation Calculator that enables people to determine how long they should self-isolate after testing positive for the disease, being sick with COVID-19, or being exposed to someone with COVID-19.
By using this convenient tool, anyone can determine the date when his or her isolation may end after entering the date when either 1) symptoms first manifested; 2) a specimen was collected (i.e., a test was conducted); or 3) the person was potentially exposed to the disease.
The tool offers four different calculation options:
- For those who have tested positive and have symptoms of COVID-19;
- For those who have tested positive but manifest no symptoms of the disease;
- For those who have been in close contact with an infected individual but show no symptoms;
- For those who previously tested positive (by calculating their susceptibility to reinfection).
“This is a simple, easy-to-use tool that will give people confidence in their efforts to protect others,” said County Director of Public Health, Corwin Porter. “It will allow them to determine exactly how long they need to isolate to ensure they don’t spread the disease to family, friends, colleagues or anyone else.”
County Moves into Tier 2 of Phase 1A
This week, the County of San Bernardino is moving into the second tier of Phase 1A of its vaccination roadmap, which means doses are being distributed to caregivers with In Home Support Services (IHSS), intermediate care centers, and public and community health centers, including facilities for mental health.
Tier 2 of Phase 1A also sees the first vaccines going to urgent care facilities and primary care physicians that are able to receive and handle the vaccines, which is less than 25% of all state physicians at this time.
The County has been very successful in its distribution of the vaccine to frontline health care workers and medical first responders that are in Tier 1 of Phase 1A. To date, nearly 25,000 doses have gone to our hospital workers; approximately 600 to dialysis centers; and just under 900 doses to medical first responders (paramedics and EMTs).
Finishing out Tier 1, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) is coordinating the distribution of vaccines to staff at skilled nursing and assisted living facilities through partnerships with Walgreens and CVS.
To learn more about the vaccine roadmap and to read Frequently Asked Questions, visit the County’s vaccine webpage.
 County’s First Vaccine Recipients Share Thoughts on Side Effects
First Responders urge others to get shots when available
The first local recipients of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine — all of whom are high-risk health care workers at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) — are delivering a consistent message to County residents: adverse reactions from the medicine are minimal , and virtually everyone should take advantage of the vaccine when given the opportunity.
“I feel great, with absolutely no side effects,” said Dr. Carol Lee, program director for the Department of Emergency Medicine’s residency program. “I found it less painful than the routine flu vaccination I get every year,” she added.
Dr. Lee says her experience is common. “I’ve spoken to a lot of people about the vaccinations and I personally don’t know anyone who has suffered severe side effects — or any type of side effect, for that matter. Millions of doses have been given worldwide, and the incidence of side effects is extremely low,” she noted.
Dr. Danny Fernandez, an emergency room physician in his second year of residency, had a similar experience.
“I feel as fine as I did before [getting the shot],” he said. “This is similar to other vaccines we take, and [getting vaccinated] is an easy process — not something to be feared,” said Dr. Fernandez, who considered it “an honor to be among the first recipients” of the vaccine.
Several of the doctors who first received the vaccine share their observations in this video
Dr. Eman Ahmad, a family practice physician who specializes in geriatrics (the area of medicine focusing on the elderly) experienced some slight tenderness at the injection site on her arm but otherwise suffered no side effects.
“I’ve never had any adverse reactions from any of the vaccines I’ve received,” she said, and claimed the shot was comparable to the flu vaccine, though “perhaps with fewer symptoms.” She is encouraging everyone who doesn’t have specific contraindications (e.g., history of severe allergic reactions) to get the vaccine.
“We need to save as many lives as possible,” she said. “If we are able to vaccinate as many people in the community as possible ... we’ll have immunity and help decrease the spread of the virus, [while reducing] mortality and morbidity.”
Dr. Nidal Rafeedi, who has been treating patients for more than two decades, is currently assistant director of respiratory care. Dr. Rafeedi, who “considers himself fortunate” to be one of the first to be vaccinated, has also avoided side effects from the vaccination.
“I feel fantastic. I’ve had no effects at all, other than a little soreness — just like I normally get from a flu shot. I’m sleeping well and have had no fever.”
Dr. Rafeedi was diagnosed with leukemia as a child, and as a result underwent radiation and chemotherapy. That experience, he said, has led him to “trust medicine” — and he urged others to do so as well.
“[The vaccine] is something that will end the pandemic, so I’m asking the community to trust medicine, and to trust science. Let’s end this so that we can celebrate together with a great summer.”
All of the doctors agreed that residents should continue following the preventative measures health experts have promoted the past several months: avoid unnecessary contact with individuals outside your household. Maintain social distancing. Wear a mask when in the vicinity of others. And wash your hands thoroughly and regularly.
And all agreed with Dr. Lee, who said County residents should not hesitate when offered the medication: “So please: go get vaccinated when it’s your turn.”
Testing Facilities Expanded Hours
County testing facilities are expanding their hours to accommodate an increased demand for testing. Some County locations will be open as late as 8 p.m. and on Saturdays. A list of testing sites and extended hours can be found here.
“Getting tested is both painless and cost free,” said County Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman, “and for those with an appointment, it’s quick, easy and convenient. So please, schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience.”
Sheriff Update on Inmates and Employees Testing Positive for COVID
A total of 803 County jail inmates have tested positive for COVID-19. Many of the inmates are only experiencing minor symptoms of the virus. The infected inmates are in isolation, being monitored around the clock, and are being provided with medical treatment. A total of 723 inmates have recovered from the illness.
A total of 811 department employees have tested positive for COVID-19 and are self-isolating at home; 674 employees have recovered from the virus. Other employees are expected to return to work in the next few weeks. It is unknown when or where the employees were infected with the virus. The department continues to encourage all department members to heed the warnings of health officials.
Latest Stats
214,813 Confirmed Cases (up 0.7% from the previous day)
1,454 Deaths (up 0.3% from the previous day)
1,756,012 Tests (up 0.3% from the previous day)
Current Southern California ICU Capacity: 0% (Goal to lift State Stay-at-Home Order: 15%)
For more statistics from the COVID-19 Surveillance Dashboard, click the desktop or mobile tab on the County’s sbcovid19.com website.
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