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Supervisor Candace Andersen, Chair
Supervisor Karen Mitchoff, Vice Chair |
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1. | Introductions | ||||||||||
Chair Andersen welcomed everyone, provided some brief COVID updates, explained the format for the meeting, and introduced the Committee and Dr. Warne. See attached list of meeting attendees. | |||||||||||
2. | Public comment on any item under the jurisdiction of the Committee and not on this agenda (speakers may be limited to two minutes). | ||||||||||
All public comment was taken under Agenda Item #3. | |||||||||||
3. | RECEIVE status report on the County's COVID-19 status and vaccination framework and DISCUSS prospects for holding public and private events in the County in 2021. | ||||||||||
Dr. Warne introduced himself as a primary care physician at the West County Health Center and also public health communicable disease. He announced that there were many new updates from State and on the vaccine front. He reviewed the County’s COVID data dashboard and reported good news in terms of our trajectory and success in controlling the virus. He contrasted California with the Northeast and Midwest U.S., Canada, and other parts of the world that have gone back under lockdowns due to coronavirus variants. California has been more conservative in terms of lifting restrictions and it has paid off, as we are in a much better situation so far by not having a new wave of infections. Contra Costa’s case rate is 5.9 and has been flat as compared to a rate of 62 during the winter surge. Our positivity rate is 1.8% and trending down; our equity metric is 2.5%. Last week, Contra Costa County graduated to the Orange Tier. Cumulative cases number 66,750, adding about 1,000 last week, but the increase in cases has slowed to 60-100 cases per day, down from 1,000 cases per day in January. Virus hot spots are El Sobrante, Rodeo, Bay Point, Antioch and Crockett, but San Pablo is no longer in the highest spot. The County is still doing a lot of testing, about 4,000-8000 daily, M-Th.. There are still cases of infections in people who have been vaccinated, so it is important to continue to test and take precautions. There have been 767 deaths but none since early April. Hospitalizations currently number 35, the 7-day average is 32 as compared to a previous high of 300. ICUs are not substantially impacted right now. About 10% of ICU cases right now are coronavirus. Total cases for Long Term Care facilities is 3,383, hospitalizations of 576, deaths numbered 319. Current outbreaks of five, down from 55 during the surge. 875,000 doses of vaccine have been administered in our county, close to the goal of one million. Total first doses of 61% of eligible population or 566,000 doses. 37% or 342,000 have been fully vaccinated. 12,000-17,000 doses administered per day. Capacity is there but supply has been limited. 90%+ of the 65 and older population has been vaccinated. Dr. Warne is hoping for a good uptick in all age bands. Last week, the County just opened to 16+ age band a week ahead of the State. Dr. Warne acknowledged a continuing equity gap, with lower rates of vaccination in Latino and Black Americans. The gap is driving much of CCHS’s efforts in providing mobile teams and pop-up clinics, working with community ambassadors. The Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine has been paused due to concerns about safety due to occurrence of Cerebral Sinovenous Thrombosis (CSVT, blood clots). This is a very rare reaction but has happened more commonly following the J&J vaccine than in the general population. Six persons out of 6 million have had this condition following a J&J vaccination. Out of caution, it is being paused for further investigation. It has been only a small part of Contra Costa’s vaccination program. Out of 120 doses, only 7% was planned to be J&J so, relatively, a small percent of total. Contra Costa has administered 13,000 J&J doses; there have been some side effects but not CSVT. Questions should be referred to individual health care providers or County hotlines. Dr. Warne said the County has invested resources in reducing barriers to vaccination by rolling out mobile clinics, available April 15-25 in Richmond, Antioch, Pittsburg, and Concord, and starting trials of walkup clinics. Open scheduling is now available on the County’s website. New state guidance documents and updated blueprint tiers have been released with changes for gatherings and fully vaccinated people. For fully vaccinated people doing non-work activities: they can spend time indoors with other fully vaccinated people without wearing masks or socially distancing. Vaccinated people can spend time indoors with unvaccinated people if the individuals are otherwise low-risk and limited to one other household. Vaccinated people are no longer required to quarantine unless they themselves are experiencing COVID symptoms. Vaccinated people should continue to take precautions in public such as masking and physically distancing and need to follow CDPH guidance for gatherings. Dr. Warne provided a comprehensive review the April 2 State Blueprint for a Safer Economy, effective April 15, which has been substantially expanded for the Orange Tier. Social gathering indoors is discouraged in favor of outdoor gathering. Food and drink should be limited to outdoor gatherings. High-risk individuals should continue to avoid gatherings. Dr. Warne responded to questions asked in advance of the meeting:
Chair Andersen invited public comment. Dr. Warne responded to questions asked in during the meeting:
Vice Chair Mitchoff advised that County staff is working to update the County website regarding preschool cohort size. Dr. Warne clarified that the County will follow the state guidance concerning cohort size. |
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4. | RECEIVE and APPROVE the Record of Action for the March 18, 2021 meeting. | ||||||||||
The Committee approved the record of action for the March 18, 2021 meeting as presented. | |||||||||||
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5. | The next meeting is currently scheduled for May 20, 2021. | ||||||||||
6. | Adjourn | ||||||||||
Chair Andersen commented that she is optimistic about the County's COVID status and adjourned the meeting at 3:23 p.m. | |||||||||||
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