Supervisor in discussion with Goldenvoice for mass vaccination site
Riverside County Board of Supervisors discussed on Tuesday in their meeting the county's vaccination efforts including options for a mass vaccination site right here in the Coachella Valley.
News Channel 3 Dani Romero has more on where we are in our vaccine rollout and what’s next.
The Department of Public Health in Riverside County has received about 50,000 vaccines and while vaccinations efforts continue. They still have about 22,000 doses on hand.
Here’s where we are and what’s next.
Goldenvoice, host of music festivals like Coachella and Stagecoach could be helping in the rush to get coronavirus vaccines into the arms of Coachella Valley residents.
“With the concerts and all the logistics in planning it that take place, they are willing to be helpful and supportive in this effort of a mass vaccination site," said Supervisor Manuel Perez.
“Goldenvoice is amazing at this and as I have said earlier in my remarks this is kind of an all hands on deck," said Kim Saruwatari, Director of Public Health for Riverside County. "We will take support from anyone who has some expertise to lend, and they certainly do.”
In a report to the Riverside County Board of Supervisors, county health officials said they are working hard to continue vaccinations.
Earlier this week about 800 people were vaccinated at drive through vaccination sites like the one at the Indio Fairgrounds.
“It was a two day experience if you will or event where people are getting vaccinated so I am just wondering are we thinking about other mass vaccination sites on an ongoing basis?," said Perez.
“We know we are going to be rolling out additional mass vaccination sites. we have to be mindful of the geographic size of our county," said Saruwatari.
The vaccine tier system is determined outside of the county first on the national level. Then, on the state level.
“California has made very slight modifications to their recommendations but by large has passed through to the locals so we don’t determine the tier or phase level at the local level," said Dr. Saruwatari.
Health officials hope to move to the next phase of vaccinations Phase 1B as early as next week.
This includes people over 65, teachers, and agricultural workers, among others.
For more information, CLICK HERE.
The rush to vaccinate is a race to save lives. The emergency management director said there are currently 8 more refrigerator trailers coming to Riverside County to help support morgue capacity.
Watch the Meeting Live below (Starts at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday)
As for small business help, Small Business Administration has a new grant program for for shuttered venue operators. The grant will help live venue operator or promoter, theatrical producer or live performing arts organization operator, a movie theatre or a “relevant” museum.
Riverside County is currently battling an intense surge in cases. As of Monday, the state website shows Riverside County metrics as 107.2 new COVID-19 cases per day per 100K residents (94.8 Adjusted case rage). The state calculates the 7-day average in Riverside County as 23.1% positivity rate.
The county is also working to vaccinate residents according to risk-based tiers.
MORE: COVID-19 Vaccination clinic begins at Indio Fairgrounds
The meeting is Tuesday, January 12 at 9:30 a.m. See the full meeting agenda here. You can watch meetings here.
The Supervisors last met on December 15, 2020.
Do you want to speak during the meeting? Click here to find out how to be heard.
When can I get vaccinated?
Here are the vaccine allocation guidelines from the California Department of Public Health. Click here to find out your place in line.
Phase 1A
About 3 million people
- Healthcare workers
- Long-term care residents
See CDPH Allocation Guidelines for Phase 1a.
Phase 1B
1B Tier One:
- Individuals 75 and older
- Those at risk of exposure at work in the following sectors: education, childcare, emergency services, and food and agriculture
1B Tier Two:
- Individuals 65 -74 years of age
- Those at risk of exposure at work in the following sectors: transportation and logistics; industrial, commercial, residential, and sheltering facilities and services; critical manufacturing
- Congregate settings with outbreak risk: incarcerated and homeless
Phase 1C
- Individuals 50 -64 years of age
- People 16-64 years of age and have an underlying health condition or disability which increases their risk of severe COVID-19
- Those at risk of exposure at work in the following sectors: water and wastewater; defense; energy; chemical and hazardous materials; communications and IT; financial services; government operations / community-based essential functions
For more information visit: https://www.ruhealth.org/covid-19-vaccine
How to get tested
Remember, you can get tested even if you do not have symptoms. Testing is available to all county residents.
You are now able to get a free test at many Rite-Aids in the area. Click here for a full list of stores and to schedule your appointment.
Click here to find the closest testing site to you
The hours at the Indio testing site have been expanded. The hours of operation runs from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m.
MORE: Self-administered Covid-19 tests used at valley sites can have ‘false negative results’, FDA warns
Stay-at-home Order extended in SoCal Region (Including Riverside County)
As a reminder, the stay-at-home order is still in effect in the the Southern California region, which includes Riverside County.
The region's current ICU bed availability remains at 0.0%. It needs to reach at least 15% for the order to be lifted.
Click here for more details on the order
Barbershops and hair salons are closed, restaurants are limited to take-out and delivery only, and capacity inside retail stores and shopping centers is maxed at 20%.
Hotels and lodging are able to stay remain open for critical infrastructure support, as can offices. Schools with waivers will be allowed to remain open. Places of worship are restricted to outdoor only services.
The following businesses/recreational facilities will be required to close:
-- indoor and outdoor playgrounds;
-- indoor recreational facilities;
-- hair salons and barbershops;
-- personal care services;
-- museums, zoos, and aquariums;
-- movie theaters;
-- wineries;
-- bars, breweries and distilleries;
-- family entertainment centers;
-- cardrooms and satellite wagering;
-- limited services;
-- live audience sports; and
-- amusement parks
Stay up-to-date with the latest local coronavirus news, including reopenings and closing, new case data, live news conferences, and other updates at KESQ.com/Coronavirus or download the News Channel 3 app on the Apple Store and Google Play.
