This week, Santa Barbara County public health leaders announced that Santa Barbara County could move to orange in a few weeks. The county just turned the corner in the red level last week.
It takes about two to five cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 people in the county or four million vaccinations administered in the state of California to enter the orange level.
Dr. Henning Ansorg, a public health officer in Santa Barbara County, said Friday: “[It] it is possible that two [to] in three weeks, I met these thresholds and then the door is open to go orange, hopefully.
Public health officials in Santa Barbara County say the federal government is sending more vaccines to local pharmacies, which will increase vaccine accessibility.
“The federal government also sends doses that do not go through the state system to pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid. [These pharmacies] I also offer vaccinations and I would encourage people to call them or access their website and check this, because there are more vaccination opportunities that are becoming more and more available, ”explained Dr. Ansorg.
Vaccines have a shelf life, so people, if they do not show up for their meetings, pharmacies can offer extra doses to community members.
CVS says in a statement to KSBY:
We follow all recommendations of the CDC and the manufacturer regarding the proper storage and administration of each COVID-19 vaccine to ensure that the vaccine is not wasted. Our online planning tool also helps you make sure your appointments match the available vaccine offer. In the case of unused doses in our pharmacies, our pharmacy teams will evaluate how to most effectively vaccinate eligible people with the remaining doses. This includes contacting eligible patients in their communities, as our pharmacies maintain patient profiles with information that can help identify people eligible for vaccination.
CVS
Santa Barbara County says that in order to avoid a new increase in COVID, people should stay safe, especially during the spring and future holidays.
San Luis Obispo County is also heading for the orange level. The latest statistics show that the positivity rate of the county already meets the requirements, however, officials have not specified when the switch to orange may happen.
The orange level allows more reopening for business and recreation.
Click here to see what can open in the orange level.