COVID Hotline Expands Staff, Hours to Help Residents Seeking Vaccination Appointments
The San Bernardino County Joint Information Center (JIC), which operates a hotline for callers seeking information on the COVID-19 pandemic, has increased staff and extended hours to assist County residents. The JIC has added 10 new call center agents (plus one supervisor) to its existing staff, and is now open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Residents seeking information or requiring assistance can call the JIC at (909) 387-3911.
“We have seen a tremendous increase in call volume, especially since opening vaccination appointments to residents age 65 and older,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman. “In addition to providing general information on the disease, testing opportunities and the status of business closures, we are now helping people to schedule appointments online.”
Hagman noted that many eligible residents are either relatively unfamiliar with computer technology or simply lack access to a computer or the internet.
“We are here to help all residents, but right now our primary focus is on assisting those having trouble scheduling a vaccination appointment,” he said.
The County is continuing to encourage eligible residents to schedule vaccination appointments through its COVID-19 website, which has a section devoted to vaccinations. Officials also suggest that family, friends and caretakers who are more conversant with computers, or who have online access, to assist those requiring help.
Currently, demand for appointments is high while vaccine doses remain in short supply. “Although residents should continue checking our website to see when appointments are available, they also are welcome to call the hotline if they need help. They also can investigate other options, such as contacting their local pharmacy or primary care provider to see if they have doses available,” Hagman said.
For even more information on the JIC center, check out this video featuring an interview between Fifth District Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr. and County Assistant Executive Officer Diana Alexander, who oversees JIC operations.
State Streamlines Vaccination Appointment System
After much prompting by the County, the State has eliminated a major headache from the vaccination appointment system – having to fill out several pages of personal information before finding out if an appointment is event available.
“The State’s appointment system has been one of the biggest, and most fixable, sources of complaints by county residents,” Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman said. “It is a great relief to know the State has fixed this problem.”
Starting this morning, when you click on a link to one of the appointment opportunities at a County Public Health Site on the County’s vaccination appointment page, you will immediately see whether appointments are available.
Once you get an appointment, the County wants to work with our residents and workforce to make sure your vaccination appointments is problem-free and as quick and easy as possible. Whether you are going to a County Department of Public Health site, a vaccination event, or using a mobile vaccine unit, here are a few tips.
- Vaccines can only be given with an appointment.
- All of the vaccine locations are walk-up sites with the exception of the occasional “vaccination super site” events (such as the one held last week at the Auto Club Speedway).
- Please try not to arrive more than 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment.
- Be ready to show proof of age.
- It is important for you to wait for at least 15 minutes after receiving a vaccine so you can be observed for any reactions, and for treatment to be provided if needed.
- Please plan to spend at least an hour total at your appointment.
During your appointment, you can expect to work with medical staff to get a vaccination card and have your follow-up second-dose appointment scheduled before you leave.
 Those Vaccinated Still Need to Mask Up and More
Public health officials are cautioning residents who receive a COVID-19 vaccine to continue to follow COVID-19 safety protocol in order to protect their families, friends and others who have not been vaccinated.
The vaccines have been widely distributed for less than three months. Experts are confident the vaccine will prevent those who are vaccinated from getting seriously ill from COVID-19, but they don’t yet know how well the vaccine protects against carrying the infection transmitting it to people who haven’t been vaccinated. Until more data comes through and more time goes by, health officials nationwide say it is a good idea to continue following the guidelines from the CDC and the County Public Health Department.
“While the two approved vaccines have shown to be very effective at preventing severe and symptomatic COVID-19, we’re still not sure how well they reduce transmission of the virus,” said County Public Health Director Corwin Porter. “Moreover, while some indications have been favorable, it’s still unclear how effective the vaccines are at preventing emerging new variants of the virus. Therefore, we are urging those who’ve been vaccinated to remain vigilant and continue taking steps to avoid spreading the virus.”
Porter said his recommendations are based on CDC guidelines, most of which are very familiar to County residents by now: stay at least six feet away from others; wear a face covering when distancing is impractical; avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces; cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing; and wash your hands thoroughly and often.
Vaccinated persons may not have to quarantine
Porter noted that when a vaccinated individual is exposed to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, he or she is not required to quarantine if they meet the following criteria:
- They are fully vaccinated (i.e., it has been two weeks or more since they received the second dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine);
- It has been no more than three months since they received their last dose; and
- They have remained asymptomatic since the current COVID-19 exposure.
These quarantine recommendations for those vaccinated, including the criteria for timing since receiving your last dose, will be updated when more data become available and additional COVID-19 vaccines are authorized.
High Desert Residents Can Use Vaccine Xpress Shuttle for Victorville Vaccine Site
Victor Valley Transit Authority (VVTA) is helping High Desert residents get to vaccination appointments at the Hook Community Center in Victorville. Vaccines are now available for residents aged 65 and over with the Vaccine Xpress free shuttle.
Interested residents must first make an appointment for the Hook Community Center at sbcovid19.com/vaccine/locations. At least 30 minutes before your appointment time, come to the Victorville Transit Hub at 7th and Lorene and look for the Vaccine Xpress Bus Stop Sign. A short drive later, you will be taken to your appointment.
The shuttle will begin roundtrips from the Transit Hub every 30 minutes on the hour, during the time the center is open for vaccinations: Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Information on the Vaccine Xpress, along with routes that serve the Transit Hub, can be found here on the VVTA website.
“VVTA is always pleased to provide services that are needed and to be able to respond at such a short notice to help those needing assistance getting to their vaccination appointment,” said VVTA Executive Director Kevin Kane. “We wish everyone to be healthy and safe.”
Sheriff Update on Inmates and Employees Testing Positive for COVID
A total of 963 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 947 inmates have recovered from the illness.
A total of 996 department employees have tested positive for COVID-19 and are self-isolating at home; 975 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
280,068 Confirmed Cases (up 0.1% from the previous day)
2,243 Deaths (up 2.7% from the previous day)
2,318,912 Tests (up 0.5% from the previous day)
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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