(Stockton, CA) - San Joaquin County Public Health Officer Dr. Maggie Park told the Board of Supervisors yesterday that COVID-19 case rates, hospitalizations, and ICU admissions are on the decline. She noted that COVID-19 case rates are dramatically decreasing from 198.8 cases to 66 cases per 100,000 since February 1, 2022.

San Joaquin County COVID-19 latest statistics as of February 14, 2022:

• 162,028 total COVID-19 cases; 2018 deaths; 173 people hospitalized; 52 COVID-19 positive people in ICU with 35 of those patients on ventilators.
• To date, 1,154,616 COVID-19 vaccines have been administered to San Joaquin County residents, and 74.9% of the eligible population ages five and over have received at least one dose.
• 62.3% of San Joaquin County’s total population are fully vaccinated and 12.6% are partially vaccinated for COVID-19.
• County hospital ICU’s are 128% full, with 41% of hospital ICU beds occupied by COVID-19 patients which is down from 52% on February 1

To view weekly updates of the County’s COVID-19 statistics, visit: http://www.sjcphs.org/Disease/Epidemiology.aspx

Dr. Park gave the Board an update on Public Health Services efforts to distribute COVID-19 tests and vaccines within high priority neighborhoods which resulted in 264 events and 4,500+ vaccines given. Efforts include: CBOs/FBOs outreach to host large events

• Free COVID-19 testing and vaccines
• More information about vaccines to those asking
• Music, food, gift cards

Distribution of at-home COVID-19 test kits

• To high priority neighborhoods
• 63,950 rapid antigen tests since January 14, 2022
• 20,000 Fulgent home PCR tests since May 25, 2021

Circulation of SnapNurse mobile vaccine and testing van

• The van is out in the community five days a week to increase access to care and resources for most at-need populations. Since June of 2021, the van has appeared at 264 locations providing testing and more than 4,500 vaccinations. More information can be found at SJReady.org

Greg Diederich, Health Care Services Director also provided an overview of the recent state mask mandate requirements which takes effect on February 16, 2022, including the following:

• Masks strongly recommended
  • Public Indoor (vaccinated)
• Masks required
  • Public Indoor (unvaccinated)
  • Health Care (vaccinated & unvaccinated)
  • Schools & Childcare (vaccinated & unvaccinated)
  • Public Transit (vaccinated & unvaccinated)
  • Long-Term Care (vaccinated & unvaccinated)
  • Jobs & Prisons (vaccinated & unvaccinated)

“Based on our data, it is reasonable that we’re getting close to a point where state masking requirements can be relaxed,” said San Joaquin County Public Health Officer, Dr. Maggie Park. “But we must remain vigilant on surveillance and continue to track data and conditions. We must ensure that any mask requirement decisions protect the health and well-being of students, employees and all residents. We must remain humble to the unpredictability of this virus.”

Residents are encouraged to check SJReady.org to find information about mask requirements as well as or www.MyTurn.ca.gov for information about testing and vaccine locations.

Supervisor Chuck Winn, Chair of the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors, responded to Dr. Park’s presentation stating, “We have heard the concerns from San Joaquin County residents who want to eliminate all mask mandates and those who want to keep mask protections. With case rates and hospitalizations on the rapid decline, we support an end to statewide masking requirements so that students, businesses and all residents can get life back to normal.”

Consent Items

• Approval for Use of Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act Grant Funds for the Replace and Install Truncated Domes Project in the amount of $46,550, and related budget adjustments.
• Accepted the California Microbusiness COVID-19 Relief Grant in the amount of $987,685 from the California Office of the Small Business Advocate and re-allocate $790,000 from the San Joaquin County Small Business Grant-Round 4 for the period of January 21, 2022 through December 30, 2022, and approve related budget adjustments.
• Retroactively approved the agreement with Community Foundation of San Joaquin to provide housing for the Harvest Program Services for a total of $150,560 from January 1, 2022 through April 30, 2022.
• Approved amendment to the agreement with Fulgent Therapeutics, LLC to provide COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Testing Services through June 30, 2022 for a maximum payable amount of $825,000 through the Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity – Enhanced Detection Expansion Grant.
• Authorized the Director of Purchasing to amend agreements with HR Support, Inc. to provide COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Testing through June 30, 2022, in an amount up to $1,056,000 and COVID-19 vaccine distribution through June 30, 2022 in an amount up to $300,000.

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