Tuolumne County man in his 80s latest victim of pandemic

A man in his 80s who was previously hospitalized has died of COVID-19, the Tuolumne County Public Health Department said Thursday.

No other information about the man was provided by the department. He’s the 56th county resident who’s died from the coronavirus since the pandemic began early last year.

Extreme weather across the United States this week was also continuing to delay COVID-19 vaccine deliveries, which could impact immunization clinics in Tuolumne County next week, the department reiterated Thursday.

Individuals age 70 and older who have not yet received COVID-19 vaccinations, do not have appointments scheduled, and want to be vaccinated are being urged to call the department at (209) 533-7440.

The department also counted nine new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday. Five of those new cases involved inmates at the Sierra Conservation Center state prison outside Jamestown.

New community cases Thursday were identified as a girl age 17 or younger; a woman between 18 and 29; a man in his 40s; and a man in his 50s.

As of Thursday, the county had counted 3,866 total coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic, with 2,485 community cases and 1,381 inmate cases. Inmate cases accounted for 35.7% of the county’s cases.

No inmates at the SCC prison have died from COVID-19, according to the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

There were 30 active cases and two Covid-positive individuals were hospitalized in the county as of Thursday.

The county’s daily case rate of 13.1 per 100,000 people and testing positive rate of 4% were down slightly from the previous week. The county still remained in the state’s purple tier for widespread risk of coronavirus infection.

Statistics

Tuolumne County (as of Feb. 18)

Total cases: 3,866 (2,485 community; 1,381 inmates) Deaths: 56

Recovered: 2,399

Active cases: 30

Active hospitalized: 2

Tests conducted: 69,588 (51,568 community; 18,020 inmates) Vaccinations given: 10,295

Calaveras County (as of Feb. 18) Total cases: 1,896 Deaths: 25 Recovered: 1,831

Active cases: 40

Active hospitalized: 1

Tests conducted: 22,691 Vaccinations given: 8,201

California (as of Feb. 18): 3,421,720 total cases; 47,924 deaths; 46,504,255 tests conducted; 6,699,137 vaccines given.

United States (as of Feb. 18): 27,901,914 total cases; 493,501 deaths. World (as of Feb. 18): 110,476,945 total cases; 2,445,673 deaths.

Sources: Tuolumne County Public Health Department, Calaveras County Public Health Division, California Department of Public Health, John Hopkins University.

Testing

When you should get tested: Five days after travel or close contact with others outside of your household; as soon as possible if experiencing symptoms; and/or every 14 to 28 days if regularly working with the public.

Testing is available from:

• Local health care providers;

• Adventist Health Sonora, call first: (209) 536-5166;

• Optum Serv state testing sites: Mother Lode Fairgrounds at

220 Southgate Drive, Sonora, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week; Groveland Community Hall, 18720 Main St., Groveland, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays; and Tuolumne Memorial Hall, 18375 Fir Ave., Tuolumne, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursdays.

Appointments to state testing sites are recommended and can be scheduled at www.lhi.care/covidtesting or by calling (888) 634-1123.

Vaccinations

• The Tuolumne County Public Health Department continues to distribute COVID-19 vaccine doses to people in Phase 1A and Phase 1Btier 1 of a state vaccine distribution plan, for individuals 70 and older as well as education workers, childcare workers, and emergency services workers. Visit www.tuolumnecounty.ca.gov/1317/covid-vaccine online for more information.

• CVS stores in Sonora and Angels Camp are offering COVID-19 vaccinations for people 65 and older, sign up here: https://www.cvs.com/ immunizations/covid-19-vaccine

• Adventist Health Sonora has been hosting weekend vaccination clinics at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds for people 65 and older. Find out more information by going to www.adventisthealthsonora.org/covidvaccine or call (209) 536-5165.

• To find out if you’re eligible and to register for upcoming state-run vaccination clinics, visit: https://myturn.ca.gov/