Vaccine Distribution Process and More COVID-19 Updates

Below is a summary of the virtual Town Hall that took place on Monday, January 4. You can watch the full video by clicking the image below.

 

Cases and Vaccine Updates

As of Sunday, January 3, there have been 1,940 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Berkeley and 12 deaths. This is an increase of 619 cases and three deaths over the last 30 days. The case rate is currently 17.6 new cases per day per 100,000 people. You can read the latest numbers on our COVID-19 dashboard.

Hospitalizations in Alameda County continue to climb to record highs, with 429 people currently hospitalized, 116 of which are in ICUs. This is almost double the number since the last regular COVID-19 town hall on December 10th. The Bay Area region (which includes the nine-county Bay Area plus Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties) ICU capacity is at 7.9% and dropping (it was 17.8% during the last town hall). Two of the five California Regions, Southern California and San Joaquin Valley, currently have an ICU capacity of 0.0%. Under the current State’s Regional Stay at Home Order, the current restrictions will remain in place until ICU capacity goes above 15%.

There have been 160,191 tests conducted on Berkeley residents since records began on March 2, with an overall positivity rate 1.30% and a four week positivity rate of 1.76%. For information on how to get tested, click here.

Vaccine Updates

There have been 2,075 doses of the COVID-19 that have been delivered to Berkeley. The first 975 went to Alta Bates to provide to their healthcare workers. The other 1,100 went to the City of Berkeley that will go to healthcare workers under Phase 1A (details on phases below). Of the 1,100 doses given to the City, 494 were administered last week, with the rest being administered this week. Additionally, skilled nursing facilities are receiving vaccines for both residents and workers through the CDC Pharmacy Partnership Program.

We are following guidance from the CDC and the California Department of Public Health to determine priorities. Here is the breakdown of priority groups. Note that Phases 1B and 1C are subject to change.

Phase 1A (vaccinations underway)

  • Tier One:

    • Acute care, psychiatric and correctional facility hospitals.

    • Skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, and similar settings for older or medically vulnerable individuals.

    • Paramedics, EMTs, and others providing emergency medical services.

    • Dialysis centers.

    • Staff of residential and inpatient Substance Abuse Disorders treatment, and staff of residential and inpatient mental health facilities.

  • Tier Two:

    • Intermediate care facilities for persons who need non-continuous nursing supervision and supportive care (staff only).

    • Home health care and in-home supportive services.

    • Community health workers, including promotoras.

    • Public health field staff.

    • Primary care clinics, including Federally Qualified Health Centers, Rural Health Centers, correctional facility clinics, and urgent care clinics.

    • Regional Center staff (service providers for individuals with developmental disabilities).

    • Staff of outpatient Substance Abuse Disorders treatment, mental health facilities, and crisis stabilization units.

  • Tier Three:

    • Specialty clinics.

    • Laboratory workers.

    • Dental and other oral health clinics.

    • Pharmacy staff not working in settings at higher tiers.

    • Persons working in the mortuary service industry.

Phase 1B (to begin later this month)

  • Tier One:

    • Age 75 and over.

    • Food and agriculture.

    • Education and childcare.

    • Emergency services.

  • Tier Two:

    • Age 65 to 74 years with underlying medical conditions/disabilities that place them at high risk for severe COVID-19 illness and death.

    • Incarcerated individuals - jails and prisons.

    • Homeless/unhoused.

    • Transportation and logistics.

    • Industrial, residential, commercial.

    • Critical manufacturing.

Phase 1C

  • Age 65 to 74 years.

  • Age 16 to 64 years with underlying medical conditions/disabilities that place them at high risk for severe COVID-19 illness and death.

  • Water and waste management, defense, energy, chemical and hazardous, communication and IT, financial services.

  • Government operations/community services

Vaccines are expected to be available to the general public in Spring, but it will still take time for everyone to get vaccinated due to the complex logistical challenges.

Other Updates

  • A new variant of COVID-19 has emerged that is more easily transmissible. While no cases have been reported yet in Northern California, there are six confirmed cases in Southern California and it is likely the variant is in the Bay Area but has not yet been detected. It is not deadlier nor resistant to the vaccine. However, given it’s more contagious, it must be reiterated to follow social distancing protocols, stay at home and limit personal interaction to only those in your household to slow the spread.

  • Under the current order mandated by the State, schools are not allowed to open. Reopening, when allowed by the State, is a decision ultimately made by BUSD, not the City of Berkeley. But we want to support BUSD to prioritize reopening once they are ready to safely do so. You can find more details by watching last month’s town hall with BUSD Superintendent Stephens.

  • Small businesses can apply to a State Grant for financial support, with the deadline to submit applications on January 13th. Additional support and resources for businesses can be found here.

  • Enforcement of social distancing protocols are complaint driven. We are taking an educational approach, providing people with the tools needed to be in compliance. Staff frequently visit areas with multiple complaints. Call 311 or email covid19@cityofberkeley.info.


 
Jesse Arreguin