Pop-up Neighborhood Vaccination Events Might be Best Way to Reach Unvaccinated
Despite over 32 County-operated locations giving vaccinations each week – not including dozens of pharmacies, hospitals and physician practices also distributing vaccines – approximately 47% of our county population has yet to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.
While some of these individuals are unable to get a vaccine for medical reasons, most of these standouts are residents still hesitant for a variety of personal reasons. County health officials are recognizing that the best way to help educate and reach these people is a neighborhood-by-neighborhood campaign that gives people a chance to talk about their concerns, and most of all, make it easy to become protected.
County residents have revolving, weekly options for getting vaccinated — easily and conveniently. The vaccination page at SBCovid19.com is continuously updated with special vaccine opportunities being held across the county, such as upcoming events at San Gorgonio High School (7/19, 20, 21), Big Bear Lake City Hall (7/15, 22), Cardenas Markets in Rialto (7/19, 21) and San Bernardino (7/17), McDonalds (multiple locations) and many others.
“The sooner we can get our population vaccinated, the sooner we can put this pandemic behind us,” said Interim Public Health Director Andrew Goldfrach. “Our hospitals are seeing a rising number of COVID-19 patients, and if national statistics are any indication, they are all unvaccinated. We continue to have to keep masks in place for certain locations because the virus is still here and can reach the unvaccinated.
“What everyone needs to recognize is that we cannot end this pandemic until we have vaccinated the vast majority of our population,” said Goldfrach. “It was that way with polio, it was that way with small pox, it was that way with the measles, and it will take mass vaccination to eliminate COVID-19. The truth is that we have it within our collective power to stop the sickness and deaths.”
Although appointments are encouraged, walk-ins are welcomed at all locations. All special events and ongoing County-administered vaccine sites can be found on the County’s vaccination website.
Want to help? Community-based organizations and employers can request to host a vaccination event, or bring in a health education ambassador to address vaccine questions and concerns. To request either, simply email the County Department of Public Health at communityevents@dph.sbcounty.gov.
State Issues New K-12 Guidance for 2021/2022 School Year
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has issued new guidance for K-12 schools, incorporating recommendations from the CDC to help local schools develop and implement plans for in-person instruction during the 2021-2022 school year.
The guidelines’ key foundational principle is that “all students must have access to safe and full in-person instruction and to as much instructional time as possible,” the CDPH announced.
Details on the State’s Safe Schools for All program can be found on the State’s website or by contacting local schools or school districts.
The State says it will continue to assess conditions on an ongoing basis and will determine no later than November 1, 2021, whether to update requirements or recommendations.
Bloomington Park Gets $1.5 Million from State for Improvements
Improvements are coming to Ayala Park in Bloomington for amenities expected to improve and enhance recreational opportunities for residents following a $1.5 million request by the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors and Assembly Majority Leader Eloise Reyes that has been included the newly signed state budget.
“The Board would like to commend Majority Leader Reyes for her leadership in working with the county to advocate for Ayala Park and the community of Bloomington,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman.
The county and Reyes, D-San Bernardino, requested the funding to complete the landscaping and recreational amenities proposed for the new Ayala Park, which is being relocated to 17909 Marygold Ave., adjacent to the Bloomington Library and Bloomington Grove and Lillian Court housing developments.
“Ayala Park is a valuable recreational resource for Bloomington and is part of the board’s overarching vision to improve this community,” said Fifth District Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr. “The new library, along with affordable housing for seniors and low-income families, have improved this neighborhood and Ayala Park will be yet another place our residents can enjoy themselves close to home.”
“The new location of the 4.5-acre Ayala Park when completed will provide much-needed outdoor open space for members of the Bloomington Community,” said Assemblymember Reyes. “The $1.5 million in funding from the state budget to complete this project was among my top priorities this year because Ayala Park is important for the quality of life for those that live in Bloomington. Congratulations Bloomington! I look forward to the park opening.”
Ayala Park is moving from 18313 Valley Boulevard, just north of Interstate 10 and is expected to be completed later this year. The new park will also include large shade structures, jogging trails, enhanced fencing, curbs and irrigation, and a gaming area for teens.
The county has invested more than $10 million into the project so far, leveraging state, federal and county resources.
This video shares the award-winning sanitation process
County’s Fleet Vehicle Sanitizing Program Recognized Nationally
The National Association of Counties (NACo), an organization representing county governments throughout the United States, granted 60 Achievement Awards this year to departments within the County of San Bernardino, including the County’s Fleet Management department.
Fleet Management provides all County departments with safe and reliable vehicles to conduct its business, and is responsible for more than 7,000 vehicles and pieces of equipment ranging from golf carts to earth movers.
During the pandemic, Fleet Management recognized a need to keep our employees safe from the COVID-19 virus and developed a vehicle sanitizing procedure to keep essential workers and first responder vehicles on the road so they could continue to provide services to county residents.
“Winning the NACo award is a source of pride for the entire Fleet Management team, who work hard every day to provide exceptional customer service to the departments we serve,” said Ron Lindsey, director of Fleet Management.
The sanitizing process, which can be seen in this video, uses EPA-registered materials and was created in collaboration with Fleet staff, the Risk Management department, and the Department of Public Health. Once the sanitation process is completed, a decal is placed on the door jamb of the vehicle, showing it was treated and ready for the next driver.
This disinfecting process has been so successful that it will continue after the pandemic. The improved sanitizing process will help protect County employees and clients against bacteria and viruses such as influenza, as well as COVID-19.
Sheriff Update on Inmates and Employees Testing Positive for COVID
A total of 1,134 County jail inmates have tested positive for COVID-19 since the outbreak of the pandemic; of these, 25 current inmates are experiencing minor symptoms and are recovering. The infected inmates are isolated, monitored around the clock, and provided with medical treatment.
A total of 1,056 department employees have tested positive for COVID-19 and 1,036 of the 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
301,802 Confirmed Cases (up 0.1% from the previous day)
4,796 Deaths (up 0.4% from the previous day)
3,472,101 Tests (up 0.1% 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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