Kern maintained ‘low’ ranking for COVID-19 transmission last week
Kern County maintained a low ranking for COVID-19 transmission last week, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, in northern California, Del Norte County was ranked “high” and eight counties in eastern and northern California were ranked “medium.”
The remainder of the state had a “low” ranking.
The CDC uses transmission rankings to measure COVID-19 community levels by county throughout the United States.
Indicators for community levels are related to new COVID-19 admissions per 100,000 population and the percentage of staffed inpatient beds occupied by COVID-19 patients, both on a seven-day average.
If it’s less than 10 percent, the transmission rate is considered low. But as metrics rise, the level is adjusted, first to medium and then to high.
Across the country, the CDC reported that more
than 77.25 percent of counties had a low transmission rate with 20.2 percent at medium and 2.55 percent at high.
LOCAL NUMBERS
The latest data from Kern County Public Health on Feb. 17 showed 8 COVID-19 deaths countywide since
Feb. 10 and a total of 2,617 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic. The department does not release death data by community, citing privacy concerns.
The department reported 21 new cases in the 93561 ZIP code since Feb. 10. The total number of cases reported since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020 is 10,547.
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation reported no active cases among the incarcerated population at the California Correctional Institution on Feb. 17. It reported 5 active cases among CCI staff as of Feb. 15.
TESTING AND VACCINATIONS
The health department reminds residents they can find testing locations by going to kernpublichealth. com, clicking on the COVID-19 button and looking for “find a testing site near you.”
Current vaccination information is available online at kernpublichealth. com/coronavirus-vaccine. According to the California Department of Public health, COVID-19 vaccinations are now available for children under 5.
Children can now get vaccinated with the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine if they are 6 months or older.
FREE TEST KITS
The federal government is again offering free COVID-19 at-home test kits.
Every U.S. household is eligible to order four free at-home tests. Information is available online at covid. gov/tests.
OTHER PRECAUTIONS
The local public health department reminds people to do the following to help prevent respiratory illness, including COVID-19:
■ Wash hands often
■ Avoid being around people who are sick
■ Cover coughs and sneezes
■ Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth
■ Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces
■ Stay home when you are sick
■ Get your COVID-19 and flu vaccine