Community Response Team Newsletter Public Health & Emergency Preparedness Updates
January 27, 2022
Dear Community,
With the intensity of the recent Omicron surge, we are at a plateau, and cases are slowly declining in our county. Though it is a relief to see the light at the end of this particular tunnel, it is not time to let our guard down. We still have high amounts of the virus in our community, and we should still be vigilant in practicing the ways we know that work in keeping ourselves and our loved ones safe. That includes masks, vaccinations, boosters, and avoiding large indoor gatherings.
It is worth reiterating that vaccinations do indeed make a difference—both in terms of the likelihood of getting infected and its protection from severe disease. Plenty of vaccine appointments are available for 1st, 2nd, and booster doses in our community. Please take this opportunity to get vaccinated or receive a booster dose if you have not done so already.
As cases decrease, Marin County Public Health encourages us to shift our mindset to endemic circulation. The word 'endemic' comes from the Greek endēmos, which means 'in population.' An endemic virus is relatively constant in a population, with largely predictable patterns. The virus and its variants will not disappear. Instead, the optimistic view is that enough people will gain immune protection from vaccination and from natural infection such that there will be less transmission and much less COVID-19-related hospitalization and death, even as the virus continues to circulate.
On another topic, as we are enjoying the beautiful weather lately and have months until summer, it is an excellent opportunity to begin preparing your yards and homes for fire season. If you need financial assistance in doing so, please see below for information about a grant offered by Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority. And, remember to sign up for Alert Marin and Nixle to receive important emergency and disaster messages in real-time.
Stay safe and healthy,
West Marin Community Response Team
Stay Up to Date on Public Health Information:
For the latest information from the County for testing locations, vaccines, and public health updates, we highly recommend you subscribe for daily updates at https://coronavirus.marinhhs.org/subscribe.
Dr. Willis shares an update about the status of Omicron in Marin County, noting three key data points the Marin HHS Epidemiology team evaluates to determine where we are in this surge.
Free COVID Rapid Testing
Due to the high demand for COVID testing and to better serve our communities by offering a greater weekly outreach for this service, we will be switching to COVID-19 take-home test distribution only. If you have tested positive, whether by Rapid Test or PCR, please do not come to testing distribution for a take-home test until Day 5-10 from your initial positive test result. Please do not test until Days 3-5 from exposure if exposed.
Point Reyes Station
Mondays and Wednesdays 11 AM - 12 PM*
West Marin Community Services
11431 Highway 1
Point Reyes Station, CA 94956
San Geronimo Valley
Tuesdays 2 - 3 PM*
Thursdays 10 AM - 11 AM*
The San Geronimo Commons (formerly the golf course)
5800 Sir Frances Drake Blvd
San Geronimo, CA 94963 Learn More >
CDPH Approved and Registered COVID-19 Testing Administrators *New schedule.
Day 0 is either a positive test or the start of symptoms. Test on day 5. Return to work/school day 6 if the test was negative. If the test was still positive, retest on day 7. If the test is still positive wait until 10 days of isolation and then return on day 11.
Quarantine guidance: For unvaccinated, vaccinated but not boosted, and 12-15 year olds: stay home for at least 5 days after contact with a person who has Covid. Test on day 5 and follow isolation guidelines above for returning to work or school. We are following CDC guidance and the changes that took place over the winter holidays and students would be on modified quarantine and are not allowed to participate in sports.
Download overview of isolation and quarantine guidance flyers in English and Spanish.
Report the Results of Your At-Home Test
An online form has been developed to be used for reporting the results of COVID-19 testing done in the home to the Marin County Public Health Department. Reporting your test result – whether positive, negative or inconclusive – helps Marin County Public Health track the virus around our community to inform our response. Reporting is confidential and takes only a few minutes. Please do not completethis formif you received testing at a healthcare or testing site, only report testing you did yourself at home.
California Department of Public Health Extends Indoor Mask Mandate
In response to the current Omicron-related surge of cases, the statewide indoor mask mandate has been extended until at least February 15th. At that time, it will be reevaluated according to the status of the pandemic including current case rates and hospitalization data. Under this mandate, masks are required for all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, in all indoor public settings. Surgical masks or higher-level respirators (e.g., N95s, KN95s, KF94s) with a good fit are recommended.
Stay tuned for more information as the Federal Government plans to roll out a free N95 face mask program through pharmacies and community health centers in the coming weeks.
Vaccination Appointments
Bolstering our immunity against COVID-19 is of utmost importance, especially with the continued presence of the Omicron variant in our community. Fortunately, we have access to vaccines which are the best resource for keeping us protected. There are numerous free COVID-19 vaccination opportunities taking place in Marin County. We are grateful to everyone in our community who has done their part by getting fully vaccinated and boosted when eligible.
Pop-Up: San Geronimo Valley Community Center (Ages 5 and older)
Wednesday, February 2, 10 AM - 1:30 PM
6350 Sir Francis Drake Blvd
San Geronimo, CA 94963
Ages 5 to 11, Pfizer
Ages 12 or older, J&J, Moderna, Pfizer Schedule an Appointment
Additional vaccine options in your community include:
Your medical provider, doctor, or family physician
Local retail pharmacies
Walk-ups are now available at most vaccine providers across the county. Visit Marin County's Vaccine Finder page to find out which clinics have open appointments and schedule yours. A parent or guardian must accompany vaccine recipients between the ages of 5 to 17 to receive a vaccine.
Suppose you cannot find an appointment at a time that works with your schedule. In that case, more options for COVID-19 vaccine clinics are available by visiting the California Department of Public Health's MyTurn COVID and flu vaccination scheduling website.
Kaiser Permanente - All Marin locations
Open to both Kaiser and Non-Kaiser members. Non-Members call 833-574-2273 to request a temporary member ID to book an appointment.
J&J, Moderna, Pfizer Appointment Required Schedule an appointment here.
Get Help With Making An Vaccine Appointment
The California statewide call center is now open seven days a week. Please call 833-422-4255, Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Saturday–Sunday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
The state's staff will support everyone age five and older with booking, changing, canceling a vaccine appointment, or arranging transportation to a vaccine site. The hotline helps callers in Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Arabic, and other languages. You can also reach staff at chat.myturn.ca.gov.
Mobile Vaccine Request
If patients cannot access a vaccination clinic and cannot provide home-based vaccination services, determine if they are eligible for MCPH home-based COVID-19 vaccination.
Contact patients/clients and confirm their interest in MCPH home-based COVID-19 vaccination.
Get Your Home Ready for Fire Season with a Grant from Marin Prevention Authority
The Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority offers two grants opportunities to help residents with expenses related to creating defensible space and home hardening.
Defensible Space creates a buffer between a structure and the vegetation surrounding it. Home hardening addresses the most vulnerable structure components with building materials and installation techniques that increase resistance to heat, flames, and embers that accompany wildfires. For more information on how to harden your home and create defensible space, visit the Fire Safe Marin website.
If you need help with your application and live in coastal West Marin, call 415-663-8361 x302 or email stomkins@westmarincs.org, and we will connect you with a volunteer who can help.
If you need help with your application and live in the San Geronimo Valley or Nicasio, call (415) 488-8888 or email pgiacomini@sgvcc.org, and we will connect you with a volunteer who can help.
Please forward this message to contacts who would like to subscribe to our email newsletter. Help us keep West Marin informed about COVID-19 and emergency readiness.
