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Health officials confirm more than 500 cases of COVID-19 in Kern

  • Vanessa Villalvazo

    • The Covid 19 indoor vaccination facility at the Kern County Fair Grounds has been operating but an outdoor drive through facility has been built at the Fair Grounds and will greatly increase the capacity to vaccinate when it opens. Michelle Corson, Public Relations Officer/Kern County Public Health, Tom Beckett, site coordinator at the Kern County Fairgrounds Covid 19 vaccination facility and Kern County Fire Department Battalion Chief Bill Steers were on hand to give a tour and answer question about the expansion of the vaccination facility at the fair grounds. A huge next step at the facility will be the opening of a 14 lane drive through vaccination that will greatly increase the number of people that will be able to be vaccinated when it opens. Currently a walk up indoor site is serving to vaccinate people at the Kern County Fairgrounds. Photos by Freelance photojournalist, Henry A. Barrios

    The Kern County Public Health Department confirmed Friday more than 500 new cases of COVID-19 and 5 more COVID-19 related deaths.

    There are now a total of 122,950 cases of COVID-19 in Kern. As of Friday, August 27, there are 1,458 Kern resident deaths. A total of 114,438 cases of Kern residents have been recovered.

    Now that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced their approval of the Pfzier vaccine, health officials are hopeful more people will get vaccinated.

    “This is an exciting and significant moment in the fight against COVID-19,” said Brynn Carrigan, Director of Kern County Public Health. “We hope that today’s approval will instill confidence in those who were hesitant about getting vaccinated.”

    She continued: “Vaccines remain one of the most effective tools to protect ourselves against this virus.”

    According to the department, in the most recent three weeks there has been a 50.6 percent increase in first doses of the COVID-19 vaccines administered in Kern County.

    Because there has been an increase in COVID cases, Kern County is also seeing an increase in 911 calls. According to the Kern County Public Health Services department, an Emergency Medical Services Program is implementing the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) System Surge Plan that was originally introduced in December 2020.

    This system of care is designed to provide the best patient care.

    “During times of extraordinary stress on our system, ensuring that those needing the most critical services are prioritized is of the utmost importance,” said Carrigan.

    To schedule an appointment visit MYTURN.CA.GOV.

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