COVID vaccine and cases in California: Where to get the vaccine and tested – KCRA Sacramento

TONI: NOW WE MOVE TO TODAY’S CORONAVIRUS HEADLIS.NE THE U.S. IS NOT THE ONLY SUPERPOWER SEEING A SPIKE IN CASES. TEO: RUSSIA HIT A DAILY HIGH WITH DEATHS. IF YOU THINK RESTRICTIONS HERE ARE STRICT, CANBERRA, THE CAPITAL OF AUSTRAALI IS BEGINNING A WEEKLONG LOCKDOWN AFTER ONE CASE WAS DETECTED IN WASTEWATER. AND FOUR SMALL GEORGIA SCHOOL DISTRICT HAVE SHUT DOWN AFTER HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS WERE REQUIRED TO GO AND QUARANTIN E.INTO QUARANTINE. QUARANTIN TONI: TAKING A LOOK AT ETH NUMBERS. NEARLY 10,000 NEW INFECTIONS WERE REPORTED STATEWIDE YESTERDAY. THE CASE RATE IS THE HIGHEST ITS BEEN SINCE EARLY FEBRUARY. IT’S STILL MUCH LOWER THAN THE PEAK IN JANUARY. HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE ALSO INCREASING. THIS GRAPH SHOWS THE RATES SINCE APRI2020L MORE THAN 0070 PEOPLE ARE IN THE HOSPITAL WITH COD.VI TEO: AS COVID HOSPITALIZATIONS CONTINUE, LARGELY AMONG THE UNVACCINATED. AND ONLY HALF OF THE NATION’S POPULATION HAS GOTTEN AT LEAST ONE SHOT. THERE ARE QUESTIONS ABOUT WHEN BOOSTER SHOTS MAY BE RECOMMENDED. KCRA 3’S JARRED HILL IS LIVE IN OUR WASHINGTON NEWSROOM, WITH MORE ON WHO WOULD BE FIRST IN LINE. GOOD MORNI.NG JARR:ED MORNING. IT SHOULD BE KNOWN PRETTY SOON ACCORDGIN TO THE SURGEON GENERAL ABOUT SOME OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS WHEN IT COMES TO A THIRD DOSE SPECIFICALLY FOR FOLKS WHO HAVE COMPROMISED IMMUNE SYSTEMS. TAKE A LISTEN. >> WE’VE BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT THESE INDIVIDUALS. WE’VE BEEN FOLLOWING THEM CLOSELY. AND I THINK MOST OF US BELIEVE THAT WE’VE GOT TO DO MORE TO PROTECT THESINDIE VIDUALS. JARR:ED THERE’S SOME REPORTING THAT THE RECOMMENDATION COULD COME BY THE END OF THE WEEK. MEANWHILE, THE CDC INOS W OFFICIALLY RECOMMENDING PRNAEG PEOPLE GET VACCINATED, BECAUSE OF HOWAS EILY THE DELTA VARITAN SPRES.AD PREVIOUSLY, THERE WAS ONLY THE SU GGESTION WOMEN TALK ABOUT THIS WITH THEIR DOCTOR. ACCORDING TO THE AGENCY, RESEARCH SHOWS EXPECTING WOMEN HAVE A HIGHER RISK OF SEVERE ILLNESS AND PREGNAYNC COMPLICATIONS FROMOV. C BUT NOT FROM THE VACCIS. MEANWHILE, THE SURGEON GENERAL ALSO EXPECTS THAT THERE COULD BE SOME AUTHORIZATIONOR F VACCINES FOR KIDS UNDER 12 A COUPLE OF MONT BHSEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR. BACK TO YOU. TEO: WHY ARE ADDITIONAL DOSES BEING CONSIDERED FOR THE IMMUNOCOMPROMISED? JARRED: DOCTORS ARE SAYING THAT IT GOES BACK TO THE IADE THAT SOMEBODY WHO MIGHT BE TAKING MEDICATION THAT SUPPRESSES THE IMMUNE SYSTEM OR HAS SOME SORT OF ILLNESS SUPPRESSING THE IMMUNE SYSTEM THAT THEY JUST DID NOT GET ENOUGH PROTECTION FROM THE ORIGINAL DOS.SE THE THIRD DEOS WOULD PROVIDE THE PROTECTION AND BRING THEM TO SPEED. WHEN IT COMES TO THE GENERAL POPULATION, THEY SAY THEY ARE STILL LOOKING AT HOW THESE CASES EAR GOING. HOW FOLKS ARE DEALING WITH THIS. AND WHETHER THERE IS ANY EVIDENCE OF IMMUNITY DROPPING REMO WANING AMONG THOSE WHO ARE VACCINATED

COVID-19 in California: Track cases, vaccinations, delta variant updates and testing information

As the delta variant of COVID-19 continues to spread across the country, California is ramping up its vaccination efforts to prevent the spread of the virus.The state has mandated that all health care workers, state employees and school staff be vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo regular testing. Some counties are even mulling over the idea of mandating vaccines in all indoor spaces.California has also recommended masks in indoor spaces for everyone, including anyone already vaccinated, based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s identification of areas with substantial and high community transmission. Below you’ll find information on the latest COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, community transmission and breakdowns of vaccination rates.App users, click here to see all the charts with this story. Latest COVID-19 cases in 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(App users, click here to see the latest COVID-19 case and testing numbers).Latest COVID-19-related hospitalizations in 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(App users, click here to see the latest COVID-19-related hospitalizations in the state)Community transmission in CaliforniaAs the delta variant spreads across the country, California issued a new recommendation in late July urging residents to mask up indoors to slow the virus’ spread.Below you’ll find the levels of community transmission by county in California. Latest COVID-19 headlines Extra COVID-19 vaccine gets green light for those with weak immune systems | U.S. regulators say transplant recipients and others with severely weakened immune systems can get an extra dose of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines to better protect them as the delta variant continues to surge. Parent assaults teacher over mask dispute at Amador County school, superintendent says | A Sutter Creek Elementary School teacher was allegedly assaulted by a parent during an argument over their child having to wear a mask. Food and restaurant prices in Sacramento are going up. Here’s why | Like many in the food and hospitality business, Galice Ryan, a Sacramento area chef, knows how to work through difficult challenges. Now he, and others in the industry are faced with another obstacle: increased pricing. A mother’s plea for people to get vaccinated after sons are hospitalized for COVID-19 | A mother in Marysville said two of her sons, both in their 20s, are on ventilators in the hospital with COVID-19. Now, she’s pleading to fellow Californians to do their part in curbing the spread of the virus. COVID-19 hospitalizations, cases surge in San Joaquin County | In a disheartening update to COVID-19 numbers in San Joaquin County, the latest figures show there are 80,528 cases since the pandemic started. Just two weeks ago, there were 76,915 total cases. Concerns over canceling travel plans rise as COVID-19 cases surge. A medical expert weighs in | As COVID-19 cases are surging across the United States again, daily infection rates are at their highest levels since February, due in large part to the very contagious delta variant. HHS will require COVID-19 vaccinations for its health care workforce | COVID-19 vaccinations will be required for the more than 25,000 health care staff and volunteers working at the Department of Health and Human Services, Secretary Xavier Becerra announced Thursday. ‘Vaccine Influencer’ training aims to boost vaccination numbers in underserved communities | Sacramento County leaders, The Center at Sierra Health Foundation and Kaiser Permanente experts will be educating residents on how to become trusted sources and inform the community about the COVID-19 vaccines. Problems with your digital COVID-19 vaccine card? You’re not the only one | Is your COVID-19 digital vaccine card accurate? KCRA 3 Investigates found that some Californians’ digital vaccine cards do not match their hard copy received after getting vaccinated. Aftershock Festival 2021 in Sacramento to require COVID-19 vaccination or test | Aftershock will require proof of a full COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test for entrance to the popular Sacramento music festival in October. How many vaccines have been administered in California?| MORE | How many doses have been administered by California county, ZIP codeVaccine Tracker: How many people have been vaccinated across the country?Where can I get the COVID-19 vaccine?Californians can get their COVID-19 shots at community vaccination sites, doctor’s offices, clinics and pharmacies.You can find the state’s latest updates on covid19.ca.gov/vaccines and check the notification tool My Turn for information on eligibility and to schedule appointments. County health department websites are also a great tool for seeing what vaccine options are available. The state also promotes the online tool Vaccine Finder to help in locating a vaccination site near you.Pharmacy vaccine information:CVSRite AidWalgreens What should I know about the vaccines that have received emergency use authorization from the FDA?Moderna and Pfizer vaccinesHailed as vaccine game-changers for the medical community, health officials say both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are different than any other used for viruses such as the flu, measles or polio.Those COVID-19 vaccines currently approved under emergency use authorization contain what is called messenger RNA, which is being used to create new types of vaccines to protect against infectious diseases.According to the CDC, “to trigger an immune response, many vaccines put a weakened or inactivated germ into our bodies. Not mRNA vaccines. Instead, they teach our cells how to make a protein — or even just a piece of a protein — that triggers an immune response inside our bodies. That immune response, which produces antibodies, is what protects us from getting infected if the real virus enters our bodies.”Johnson & Johnson’s vaccineOn Feb. 28, the Food and Drug Administration authorized Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine — the first single-dose COVID-19 vaccine available in the U.S. and is one that “checks nearly all the boxes.”The vaccine, made by Janssen, J&J’s vaccine arm, was said to be safe and effective, and it’s considered flexible. It’s a single dose, and it doesn’t require special storage.The vaccine is authorized for people ages 18 and older.The CDC and the FDA on April 13 said they were investigating several cases of unusual clots that occurred 6 to 13 days after vaccination. The clots occurred in veins that drain blood from the brain and occurred together with low platelets. As a result, the agencies recommended a “pause” in vaccinations with J&J’s vaccine so investigators could look into the cases. Health officials said in an update on April 23 they were aware of 15 cases of the unusual clots since the government authorized use of the vaccine and nearly 8 million shots were given. All were women, most of them under 50. Three died, and seven remained hospitalized.The CDC and FDA lifted the pause, deciding that the vaccine’s benefits outweighed the rare risk of blood clots. They said the risk could be handled with warnings to help younger women decide if they should use that shot or an alternative. More questions answered with our Get the Facts on the Vax reportsKCRA 3 has taken viewer questions about the vaccine to health experts. If you have other questions, fill out our survey or send us an email at newstips@kcra.com.Get the Facts on the Vax: Do you have to get multiple doses of the vaccine for it to be effective?Get the Facts on the Vax: When will the J&J vaccine be available for children 12 and up?Get the Facts on the Vax: Will I be charged for a COVID-19 vaccine?Get the Facts on the Vax: Why should I get vaccinated if I already had COVID-19?Get the Facts on the Vax: For how long will the vaccines be effective?Get the Facts on the Vax: Who should still be getting tested for COVID-19?Can COVID-19 vaccines affect my period?So you got the COVID-19 vaccine: 9 common questions answeredQ&A: Dr. Blumberg answers viewer questions about COVID-19 vaccine safetyYour guide to every COVID-19 vaccine questionYour COVID-19 Vaccine Questions: Facebook Live with Dr. Dean Blumberg, chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at UC Davis HealthCOVID-19 Vaccine Questions: Can I test positive after getting the shot? What if I’ve already had COVID? Should I get tested for COVID-19? Where can I get a test in California? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people should consider taking a COVID-19 test if you:Have symptoms of COVID-19.Have had close contact (within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more) with someone with confirmed COVID-19.*Have been asked or referred to get testing by their health care provider, local/external icon or state ​health department.*Fully vaccinated people without COVID-19 symptoms do not need to be tested after being exposed to someone with COVID-19. Here is where you can search for a testing site by address, city, county or ZIP code in California. For more information on testing, visit here. | MORE | What to know about different COVID-19 tests, where to get tested in CaliforniaThe FDA has also approved a test for COVID-19 that you can take at home. The test kits are available for purchase on Amazon with a turnaround time for results of 24 to 72 hours after the sample is shipped and received.How to protect yourself of COVID-19Here is where you find the state’s latest information on COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.There are six ways to protect yourself and family, according to the California Department of Public Health:• Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.• Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.• Cover a cough or sneeze with your sleeve, or disposable tissue. Wash your hands afterward.• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.• Stay away from work, school or other people if you become sick with respiratory symptoms like fever and cough.• Follow guidance from public health officials.What are the symptoms of COVID-19? Per the CDC, these are the symptoms you should watch out for:Fever or chillsCoughShortness of breath or difficulty breathingFatigueMuscle or body achesHeadacheNew loss of taste or smellSore throatCongestion or runny noseNausea or vomitingDiarrheaThis list does not include all possible symptoms. The CDC says to look for emergency warning signs for coronavirus. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:Trouble breathingPersistent pain or pressure in the chestNew confusionInability to wake or stay awakeBluish lips or face Call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you. Call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility: Notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19.Who is most at risk for coronavirus?Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms of COVID-19, according to the CDC.Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from the virus.— This Associated Press contributed to this report.

As the delta variant of COVID-19 continues to spread across the country, California is ramping up its vaccination efforts to prevent the spread of the virus.

The state has mandated that all health care workers, state employees and school staff be vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo regular testing. Some counties are even mulling over the idea of mandating vaccines in all indoor spaces.

California has also recommended masks in indoor spaces for everyone, including anyone already vaccinated, based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s identification of areas with substantial and high community transmission.

Below you’ll find information on the latest COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, community transmission and breakdowns of vaccination rates.

App users, click here to see all the charts with this story.

Latest COVID-19 cases in California

Case Statistics

(App users, click here to see the latest COVID-19 case and testing numbers).

Latest COVID-19-related hospitalizations in California

Hospitals

(App users, click here to see the latest COVID-19-related hospitalizations in the state)

Community transmission in California

As the delta variant spreads across the country, California issued a new recommendation in late July urging residents to mask up indoors to slow the virus’ spread.

Below you’ll find the levels of community transmission by county in California.

Latest COVID-19 headlines

How many vaccines have been administered in California?

| MORE | How many doses have been administered by California county, ZIP code

Vaccine Tracker: How many people have been vaccinated across the country?

Where can I get the COVID-19 vaccine?

Californians can get their COVID-19 shots at community vaccination sites, doctor’s offices, clinics and pharmacies.

You can find the state’s latest updates on covid19.ca.gov/vaccines and check the notification tool My Turn for information on eligibility and to schedule appointments. County health department websites are also a great tool for seeing what vaccine options are available. The state also promotes the online tool Vaccine Finder to help in locating a vaccination site near you.

Pharmacy vaccine information:
CVS
Rite Aid
Walgreens

What should I know about the vaccines that have received emergency use authorization from the FDA?

Moderna and Pfizer vaccines

Hailed as vaccine game-changers for the medical community, health officials say both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are different than any other used for viruses such as the flu, measles or polio.

Those COVID-19 vaccines currently approved under emergency use authorization contain what is called messenger RNA, which is being used to create new types of vaccines to protect against infectious diseases.

According to the CDC, “to trigger an immune response, many vaccines put a weakened or inactivated germ into our bodies. Not mRNA vaccines. Instead, they teach our cells how to make a protein — or even just a piece of a protein — that triggers an immune response inside our bodies. That immune response, which produces antibodies, is what protects us from getting infected if the real virus enters our bodies.”

Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine

On Feb. 28, the Food and Drug Administration authorized Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine — the first single-dose COVID-19 vaccine available in the U.S. and is one that “checks nearly all the boxes.”

The vaccine, made by Janssen, J&J’s vaccine arm, was said to be safe and effective, and it’s considered flexible. It’s a single dose, and it doesn’t require special storage.

The vaccine is authorized for people ages 18 and older.

The CDC and the FDA on April 13 said they were investigating several cases of unusual clots that occurred 6 to 13 days after vaccination. The clots occurred in veins that drain blood from the brain and occurred together with low platelets.

As a result, the agencies recommended a “pause” in vaccinations with J&J’s vaccine so investigators could look into the cases.

Health officials said in an update on April 23 they were aware of 15 cases of the unusual clots since the government authorized use of the vaccine and nearly 8 million shots were given. All were women, most of them under 50. Three died, and seven remained hospitalized.

The CDC and FDA lifted the pause, deciding that the vaccine’s benefits outweighed the rare risk of blood clots. They said the risk could be handled with warnings to help younger women decide if they should use that shot or an alternative.

More questions answered with our Get the Facts on the Vax reports

KCRA 3 has taken viewer questions about the vaccine to health experts. If you have other questions, fill out our survey or send us an email at newstips@kcra.com.

Should I get tested for COVID-19? Where can I get a test in California?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people should consider taking a COVID-19 test if you:

  • Have symptoms of COVID-19.
  • Have had close contact (within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more) with someone with confirmed COVID-19.*
  • Have been asked or referred to get testing by their health care provider, local/external icon or state ​health department.

*Fully vaccinated people without COVID-19 symptoms do not need to be tested after being exposed to someone with COVID-19.

Here is where you can search for a testing site by address, city, county or ZIP code in California. For more information on testing, visit here.

| MORE | What to know about different COVID-19 tests, where to get tested in California

The FDA has also approved a test for COVID-19 that you can take at home. The test kits are available for purchase on Amazon with a turnaround time for results of 24 to 72 hours after the sample is shipped and received.

How to protect yourself of COVID-19

Here is where you find the state’s latest information on COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.

There are six ways to protect yourself and family, according to the California Department of Public Health:

• Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

• Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.

• Cover a cough or sneeze with your sleeve, or disposable tissue. Wash your hands afterward.

• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.

• Stay away from work, school or other people if you become sick with respiratory symptoms like fever and cough.

• Follow guidance from public health officials.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Per the CDC, these are the symptoms you should watch out for:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

This list does not include all possible symptoms.

The CDC says to look for emergency warning signs for coronavirus. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
  • New confusion
  • Inability to wake or stay awake
  • Bluish lips or face

Call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you. Call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility: Notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19.

Who is most at risk for coronavirus?

Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms of COVID-19, according to the CDC.

Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from the virus.

— This Associated Press contributed to this report.