Vaccination Expansion, Survey, COVID-19 Stats: RivCo Update

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — As Riverside County expanded its COVID-19 vaccination eligibility to anyone 16 and older, the county Monday is asking for feedback on residents' vaccine experience.

The vaccination news came as the county saw a tiny bump in COVID-19 hospitalizations over the weekend.

Latest COVID-19 figures

Riverside University Health System - Public Health reported 90 coronavirus patients were being treated in hospitals countywide as of Monday, one more than Friday. That figure includes 20 intensive care unit patients, three fewer than Friday.

There were 545 newly confirmed coronavirus cases Monday, bringing the total case count to 296,635. That figure includes 289,985 recovered patients.

RUHS also reported 4,492 verified COVID-related fatalities, 11 higher than Friday. The agency does not provide updated COVID-19 statistics on weekends.

The coronavirus positivity rate countywide is 2 percent, compared to 2.3 percent two weeks ago.

The state-adjusted case rate is 3.5 per 100,000 people, which reflects a rolling seven-day average. It was 4.1 per 100,000 two weeks ago.

Vaccination update

Anyone 16 or older who lives, works or studies in Riverside County is now eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccination, county health officials said.

Only the Pfizer vaccine is available to 16-year-olds, who must have a parent or guardian provide consent for a shot. The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines have only been approved for people 18 years and older, according to the county.

The eligibility threshold to include everyone as young as 16 was supposed to occur statewide on April 15. But because the county is now well-stocked on vaccines — and fewer people are making appointments at clinics — the decision was made to move forward with adjusting the eligibility criteria.

The portal to make an appointment for vaccination at county-run clinics and other sites can be accessed via www.rivcoph.org/COVID-19-Vaccine. Anyone who needs assistance may also call the county's 211 helpline.

Vaccination of children younger than 16 will start as soon as the COVID-19 vaccines are approved for them, according to the Riverside University Health System - Public Health website.

Riverside County has launched an online survey that seeks input from residents regarding their views about the COVID vaccine.

The survey is part of an effort to better understand the public’s feelings about vaccination and the experiences they have had with coronavirus to this point, according to county officials.

“Knowing how residents are feeling about vaccination helps us to know how we can better assist them with any concerns they may have about the vaccine,” said Kim Saruwatari, director of RUHS - Public Health.

According to county officials, online questionnaires are often used by health officials to assess communities’ health needs by analyzing trends and sentiments among residents, allowing for the distribution of resources and services.

The 5-minute survey poses questions that gauge residents’ level of information about vaccination, and whom they consider the most trusted voices when deciding matters related to the pandemic.

“Hearing directly from our residents will inform our ongoing efforts towards community education and make vaccinations more accessible, convenient and timely,” said Board Chair Karen Spiegel, Riverside County Second District Supervisor.

The survey is available in both English and Spanish and all answers are confidential, according to the county. The survey can be found at: https://elucd.typeform.com/to/cSn76Wwf#latitude=xxxxx&longitude=xxxxx&source=xxxxx.

Tier status

Riverside County is now in the orange tier of the state's public health regulatory system. The county had been in the red tier of the "Blueprint for a Safer Economy" framework since March 16, after five months in the most restrictive purple tier, before upgrading to the orange tier last week.

According to the California Department of Public Health, orange criteria permit retail businesses to fully open, while 50 percent attendance caps are supposed to be observed in restaurants, museums, movie theaters and zoos. The guidelines call for gyms, wineries and bars to maintain 25 percent caps.

Beginning Thursday, receptions and conferences can be held with up to 150 attendees, on the condition that they, at minimum, be tested for coronavirus.

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced last week that the target date for an end to all restrictions on businesses, gatherings and recreation throughout the state is June 15 — provided there are no signs of a backward slide.

The county's metrics are squarely in the orange qualifier, but still just outside the parameters set for yellow tier status, which represents "minimal" presence of the virus.