“If you are in need of immediate medical care, go to the ER. However, if you are mildly ill, use alternative resources.”
--Charlie Evans, MD, Lake County’s Acting Public Health Officer
Lake County, CA (August 2, 2021) – Turning Lake County’s critically high COVID-19 Case Rate around is a matter of the highest priority. As reported late last week by the County Health Services Department’s Public Health Division, local emergency rooms have been feeling the strain for about two weeks now. Each one of us must take precautions that limit opportunities for the virus to spread.
The Health Services Department has received reports some people with mild symptoms that can be associated with COVID-19 have continued to utilize local Emergency Rooms for COVID testing. Other have sought vaccination at our hospitals.
“As a small, rural County, we have limited intensive care and emergency medicine resources,” shares Charlie Evans, MD, Lake County’s Acting Public Health Officer. “They must be reserved for those in medical distress; those in need of immediate care. Over-utilization of these resources extends wait times, and delays care for those in the greatest need.”
“At this time, we ask people with mild symptoms to please contact their medical providers and nursing advice lines, rather than going straight to the emergency room,” continues Evans. “If you are in need of immediate medical care, go to the ER. However, if you are mildly ill, use alternative resources.”
Pace to Present COVID-19 Update at
Start of Board’s 8/3 Regular Meeting
Proclamations Celebrating Retiring Long-Time Employees at Approximately 9:45
To assist County residents in this important effort, Gary Pace, MD, MPH, who closely supported Lake County for more than a year of the pandemic, including our winter peak, will present a COVID-19 Update shortly after the start of tomorrow’s (Tuesday, 8/3) Regular Meeting of the Lake County Board of Supervisors. In addition to insights from Dr. Pace, the update will feature contributions from Sarah Marikos, Lake County’s Epidemiologist, and Health Services Director, Denise Pomeroy.
Proclamations celebrating remarkable contributions made by two retiring long-time County employees will be taken up at approximately 9:45am, following the COVID-19 Update.
How to Participate in or Watch Tomorrow’s (8/3, 9am) Meeting
A limited number of people can be accommodated in the Board Chambers, located in the County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport. However, particularly given COVID-19 is currently widespread in Lake County, most will wish to remotely connect.
To participate in real time, join the Zoom Meeting at 9am:
Meeting ID: 910 9817 5969
Passcode: 062504
One tap mobile: +16699006833,,91098175969#,,,,*062504# US (San Jose)
To participate by any landline or mobile phone, dial (669)900-6833 and enter the Webinar ID and Passcode above. If you have a comment, dial *9, and the Board Chair or Zoom host will recognize you at the appropriate timing. Dial *6 to unmute your phone, once called on.
Live streams of the meeting will also be available:
COVID-19 Testing Resources in Lake County
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OptumServe at Lower Lake Town Hall (16195 Main Street): Mondays and Thursdays, 7-11am and 12-4pm – appointments are highly recommended, limited on-site registration is available.
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Rite Aid is conducting Drive-Thru testing in Clearlake and Ukiah: Appointments can be made online at https://www.riteaid.com/pharmacy/services/covid-19-testing. Insurance is not required.
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Labcorp offers home testing by mail. Visit https://www.pixel.labcorp.com/. Insurance not required.
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Lake County Tribal Health offers testing by appointment to established patients with or without symptoms. For appointments, call 707-263-8382.
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Clearlake VA Clinic is offering COVID-19 tests to veterans experiencing symptoms or prior to procedures. Please call the TLC line at 800-733-0502 for information.
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Quest Diagnostics offers home testing by mail. Visit https://questdirect.questdiagnostics.com/ for information and to see if you're eligible for $0 out-of-pocket-testing. (Quest Diagnostics in Lakeport is NOT offering in-lab testing for active COVID-19.)
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Sutter Health (outpatient clinics) are offering testing to existing patients, if ordered by your provider. Please contact your provider's office for details. (Testing Resource List Continued on Next Page)
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Adventist Health is offering testing to existing pediatric patients (children) in limited circumstances. Please contact your provider's office for details.
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Lake County Public Health will test by appointment on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8:30AM-11:30AM. Call 707-263-8174 to schedule or for information.
See below for COVID-19 Vaccination Resources in the South Lake Area (Clearlake, Lower Lake, etc.)
