SACRAMENTO, Calif. — ABC10 is following the latest coronavirus statistics and vaccine news for the Sacramento region and the state of California.
This blog will be updated throughout the day with the latest COVID-19 news. Click HERE to learn when and where you can sign-up to get the coronavirus vaccine near you.
More of California to reopen as vaccine eligibility expands
California officials say much of the state will be able to reopen next week to indoor activities as coronavirus case rates remain low. At the same time, more than 4 million residents with certain disabilities or health concerns have become eligible for the vaccine.
Thirteen counties will be able to welcome customers inside restaurants, gyms and movie theaters as early as Sunday after the state reached an equity milestone. An additional 13 counties should be able to reopen midweek, including San Diego and Sacramento.
California continues its rocky transition to a new vaccine delivery and appointment-making system run by insurer Blue Shield.
Vaccines available to Phase1A Modestans at Modesto Centre Plaza
There are vaccines available and no wait times at the Modesto Centre Plaza on Friday for residents in Phase 1A of the state distribution plan, according to the Stanislaus County Office of Emergency Services.
Eligible residents include seniors aged 65 and older, and individuals aged 16 and older in sectors of Education, Food and Agriculture, and Emergency Services.
Individuals aged 16 and 17 are only eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine.
Health officials say the vaccines will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.
South Sacramento vaccine clinic to provide second doses for Asian, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander communities
Asian Resources Inc. (ARI) and Dignity Health are teaming up to host a follow up clinic to get limited-English speaking immigrant Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities fully vaccinated.
The drive-thru clinic is scheduled for March 15 at 6270 Elder Creek Road from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will only be providing second doses to those who sign up. ARI said that over 500 first-round vaccines were administered on February 15.
Nevada County grocery store employees now eligible for vaccine
As the pace of COVID vaccinations ramps up in Nevada County, residents in the food and agriculture sectors, including grocery store employees, are now eligible to receive the vaccine, health officials say.
These people are a part of Phase 1B of California’s vaccination plan.
“With three highly effective vaccines available and multiple local partners providing vaccinations, we are steadily moving forward,” Nevada County Public Health Director Jill Blake said. “We continue to make vaccinations available to people who are 65 and older, healthcare workers, educators, childcare providers, and emergency service workers. Now, we can move a little bit further into Phase 1B.”
As the vaccine supply continues to increase, Nevada County residents will begin seeing more appointments available, health officials say.
To learn more about COVID-19 vaccinations in Nevada County, go to www.MyNevadaCounty.com/Coronavirus/Vaccine or call 1-833-DIAL211.
4 more Californians added to federal virus relief fraud case
Federal prosecutors have charged four additional Southern California residents with participating in a scheme to fraudulently obtain COVID-19 relief funds.
The U.S. Justice Department announced Friday that a superseding indictment adds the four to a case filed in November against four others.
Prosecutors allege they submitted more than 150 fraudulent loan applications seeking nearly $22 million in relief funds under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.
The money was allegedly used to buy homes and luxury goods. Three of the new defendants were arrested Thursday and arraigned before a U.S. magistrate judge. The fourth defendant is still being sought.
COVID vaccine clinic opening in Oak Park on Friday
A coronavirus vaccination clinic is opening for eligible patients in Sacramento’s Oak Park neighborhood on Friday.
The clinic, at the City Church Sacramento at 3860 4th Avenue, will be open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. administering doses of the Moderna vaccine. The clinic is believed to the be first in Oak Park.
The clinic will administer 100 doses to neighborhood residents who registered in advance.
California leaders look to reopening, push 1-shot vaccine
California officials are looking ahead to being able to phase out restrictions on activities because of the coronavirus as infection rates slow and more people are vaccinated.
Gov. Gavin Newsom says the state is developing a “green tier” in its reopening plan that would allow fewer restrictions, something officials said this summer was too far off.
Meanwhile, state health officials are pushing the safety and efficacy of the new one-shot Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine.
The state's surgeon general was among state officials who received the vaccine Thursday at a federally funded vaccination site in Oakland.
Resources guide for California families
- San Joaquin County Help: A Resource Guide for Struggling Families and Individuals
- Yolo County Help: A Resource Guide for Struggling Families and Individuals
- Stanislaus County Help: A Resource Guide for Struggling Families and Individuals
- Sacramento County Help: A Resource Guide for Struggling Families and Individuals
- Where to find help in Placer County: A resource guide for struggling individuals and families
- Northern California Help: A resource guide for struggling Families and individuals
