Ivanhoe Sol<\/b><\/p>\n
Pedro Hernandez<\/b><\/p>\n
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County Braces for Another COVID Spike<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n
With the emergence of the highly contractible Delta variant of COVID-19, Tulare County finds itself in another spike of detections within the community. As full-time schooling resumes and the ability to socially distance is limited by widespread wildfire smoke, Tulare County is on the brink of another significant rise in detections.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Wildfire Smoke Causes Challenges to Outdoor Social Distancing<\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span> Similar to last year, climate stressors like extreme heat and poor air quality are limiting residents ability to safely practice social distancing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The last two months of increased COVID cases have also overlapped with the onset of another historic wildfire season in California. Not only has the state faced one of the largest fires in history though the northern-california based Dixie fire, more wildfires closer to Tulare County have erupted such as the French Fire in Kern County.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n As the wildfire smoke from these incidents concentrates in the San Joaquin Valley air basin, high levels of dangerous particulate matter are found in the air. Particulate matter is one of the pollutants found in wildfire smoke. P.M 2.5 refers to the size of\u00a0 particles in wildfire smoke that are particularly dangerous to human health. Due to their small size, P.M 2.5 is not filtered by the cloth masks that are being used to protect from covid.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Unlike the moisture droplets that are the primary cause of transmission of COVID, P.M 2.5 can be much more widespread especially during the outbreak of wildfires throughout the state. Additionally, P.M 2.5 can be carried through the bloodstream and carry pollutants into the brain and other organs, causing a particular risk to most people. At certain levels, particle pollution is dangerous for everyone, even people without pre-existing respiratory conditions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n As a result of the poor air quality, the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, alongside many public health experts, have advised Valley residents to remain indoors.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Visalia Unified School District Faces Early Challenges in Managing COVID Exposure<\/b><\/p>\n To date, there have not been any detections of COVID-19 in Ivanhoe Elementary. However, the remainder of Visalia Unified School District is facing great difficulty containing the spread of COVID-19 in local schools.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Last year, the Ivanhoe Sol reported one positive detection at Ivanhoe Elementary but spread was otherwise limited.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n On the other hand, <\/span>Golden West High School, where most high school aged Ivanhoe youth attend, has found three instances of covid detection even prior to the beginning of the new school year. From July 26-30 there were three detections.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n According to the Visalia Times Delta, \u201c<\/span>Quarantine counts throughout the district have continued to increase this week after 249 staff and 286 students are in quarantine \u2015 an increase of 133 teachers and students over the last 72 hours.\u201d This has created a teacher shortage that is being felt throughout the state.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The increase of detections is beyond the scope of only the school systems. Exposure at work and at home continue to be additional significant sources of new covid detections indicating that the spread is a multiple sector of life in Tulare County.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n As COVID Detections Rise, Tulare County Issues Warning For False Vaccinations<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n In spite of various locations to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, records indicate the overall rate of vaccinations is slowing.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Multiple studies demonstrate that while people who are vaccinated can still contract COVID-19, the severity of hospitalization is dramatically decreased. In other words, many of the COVID-19 related deaths are people who remain unvaccinated.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Further exacerbating the delay of adequate vaccination is the fake news of Ivermectin being advertised as a COVID-19 treatment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ivermectin is a medicine that is largely used on farm animals and has not been proven to treat COVID-19.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a0According to Tulare County\u2019s most recent warning: \u201cIvermectin is a medicine traditionally used to treat worms and parasites in people and animals. Ingesting Ivermectin meant for veterinary use can be especially dangerous. Many veterinary products are made for large animals so they contain doses that are much higher than what is safe in humans; they may also contain other ingredients that have not been studied for safety in humans. Self-medicating can be very dangerous because there is a high risk of overdose or toxicity.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n According to County guidance, \u201cPersons are advised to seek immediate medical attention if they have ingested Ivermectin and experience symptoms of toxicity: nausea, vomiting, belly pain, diarrhea, headache, blurred vision, dizziness, fast heart rate, and\/or low blood pressure. These symptoms may progress to severe health problems including tremors, seizures, hallucinations, confusion, loss of coordination, coma, and death.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you or anyone you know is negatively affected by the use of Ivermectin, please call the Poison Control Center Hotline for consultation at 1-800-222-1222.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Getting vaccinated remains the safest and most effective way to prevent COVID-19 disease. Vaccination greatly reduces risk of hospitalization and death from COVID-19. To protect yourself and others from getting COVID-19, please wear masks in indoor places, practice staying at least 6 feet away from others not in your household, avoid crowds and gatherings, avoid poorly ventilated spaces, and practice regular hand washing. Vaccine appointments are available at<\/span> MyTurn.ca.gov<\/span><\/a> or by calling<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a02-1-1 for more information.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Additional COVID-19 Vaccination Shot Recommended for Immunocompromised Californians<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n While local efforts are made to combat the misuse of animal medicine, official state health guidance is now recommending a third dose booster for the COVID-19 vaccine no sooner than 28 days after individuals complete their vaccine series, for individuals who are immunocompromised and received Pfizer or Moderna for first\/second doses.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Those who qualify as immunocompromised, as identified by the CDC, are as follows:<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Whenever possible, mRNA COVID-19 vaccination doses (including the primary series and an additional dose) should be completed at least two weeks before initiation or resumption of immunosuppressive therapies, but timing of COVID-19 vaccination should take into consideration current or planned immunosuppressive therapies and optimization of both the patient\u2019s medical condition and response to vaccine.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Health officials advise to talk to you provider about when to take the any immunosuppressive medication after receiving the vaccine.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n It is important, when possible, to get the additional dose of the same type of COVID-19 vaccine as the first & second dose. You can verify what you received through the digital vaccine record; and can obtain this verification from:<\/span> https:\/\/myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov\/<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n\n