Inyo County California

As of May 16, 2022, the U.S. has recorded more than 81 million confirmed COVID-19 infections —nearly 1 in 4 people. According to the latest CDC estimate, almost 60% of all Americans have been infected with COVID-19.

Over the last two weeks, Inyo County has experienced an increase in the 7-day average of new COVID-19 cases and been categorized as “high transmission” per the CDC transmission Categories. Specifically, the week of May 8th to May 14th showed a 92% increase in cases (48 cases) compared to the previous week (23 cases). However, the COVID-19 Community Index has identified Inyo County as “low.”

People who are up to date on vaccines have much lower risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19 compared with unvaccinated people. Layered prevention strategies — like staying up to date on vaccines, testing, ventilation, and wearing masks — can help limit severe disease and reduce the potential for strain on the healthcare system.

This increase in weekly Inyo County cases, along with national data trends suggests that current vaccination efforts should be sustained to provide on-going community protection. If you have not been vaccinated or boosted against COVID-19 and you are eligible, please consider making an appointment today at one of our participating providers: inyocounty.us/vaccine-clinics

For more detailed trend information and updates, please visit the COVID-19 Data & Resource page. This page is updated with available reports.

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COVID-19 TESTING LOCATIONS –ANTIGEN/RAPID AND PCR TESTS:

FREE COVID-19 testing is available every week in Bishop and Lone Pine; Patient IDs (accounts) and Appointments are required. Learn more here.

**The Bishop Testing site will be CLOSED: Monday, May 30, 2022, for Memorial Day**

Our two OptumServe testing sites offer antigen/rapid testing, PCR tests, and Test-to-Treat services. Through this program, individuals can get tested, assessed by a medical provider, and (if appropriate) given prescription antiviral pills (Paxlovid or Molnupiravir) all in the same location.

Inyo County COVID-19 testing, and medications are currently free at the OptumServe sites. All Test-to-Treat sites and other locations that can fill COVID-19 prescriptions can be located on the Test-to-Treat Locator.

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AT-HOME TESTING KITS:

THIRD ROUND – NOW OPEN! Order Online: www.COVIDTests.gov

Residents of the U.S. and territories can place another order of rapid at-home COVID-19 test kits. These kits will contain eight (8) tests. How to place an order:

• Go to www.CovidTests.gov (Español)
• Click the blue button that says "order free at home tests"
• Fill out the information with your residential address
• Click the green button that says "check out now"

For more answers to Frequently Asked Questions, review the COVID-Test site or the Inyo County COVID-19 Testing website.

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ISOLATION & QUARANTINE GUIDANCE

On Sunday, May 8, 2022, the local Inyo County Isolation & Quarantine Order was rescinded to align with CDPH Isolation & Quarantine Guidance.

• Read the Inyo County Public Health Isolation & Quarantine Guidance [Español]
• Read the CDPH Isolation & Quarantine Guidance

Isolation and Quarantine Recommendations for the General Public

All persons with COVID-19 symptoms, regardless of vaccination status or previous infection, should:

• Self-Isolate - Everyone, regardless of vaccination status, previous infection, or lack of symptoms. 

Asymptomatic Persons who are Exposed to Someone with COVID-19:

• No Quarantine - Everyone, regardless of vaccination status.

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COVID-19 VACCINES:

GET VACCINATED and BOOSTED –Vaccines prevent serious illness and hospitalization.

• Vaccine Eligibility – Vaccine clinics for everyone 5 years of age and older are available throughout the community. Find COVID-19 vaccine providers and vaccines available by texting your ZIP code to 438829 or visit: www.inyocounty.us/vaccines
• Booster Doses – If it has been more than 5 months since you completed your primary COVID-19 vaccination series (Pfizer or Moderna) OR at least 2 months since you received your J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccination, consider making a booster appointment soon.
• Second (2^nd) Booster Doses –
  • If an individual is aged 50+: Can receive a second booster dose of Pfizer or Moderna if at least four months after receiving their first booster dose.

Vaccine Coverage –as of Tuesday, May 17, 2022:of the eligible population in Inyo County:

• 71.1% is fully vaccinated
• 9.4% with at least one dose
• 19.5% unvaccinated
• Approximately 6,210 Booster Doses (~ 39.2% - only 12+ eligible for booster doses);we are currently experiencing a data delay in booster dose information.

To review more vaccine eligibility guidance, view the CDPH COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Chart.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to email: VaccineInfo@inyocounty.us

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COVID-19 THERAPEUTICS:

Pre-exposure Prophylaxis, Monoclonal Antibody Therapy, and Oral Antiviral Medications have received emergency use authorization (EUA) for the treatment of COVID-19 symptoms.

All authorized and available allocations of treatments are available in Inyo County. Prescriptions for therapies/medications will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for those who meet medical criteria.

If you are interested in receiving a COVID-19 Therapeutic and would like to know if you qualify, speak with your health care provider. If appropriate, your provider may give you a prescription or refer you for an outpatient infusion.

If you do not have established care with a regular doctor, there are also Test-to-Treat locations available throughout the community. Through this program, individuals can get tested, assessed by a medical provider, and (if appropriate) given prescription antiviral pills (Paxlovid or Molnupiravir) all in the same location. Local Test-to-Treat sites are located at the OptumServe community-based testing sites in Bishop and Lone Pine.

For more information on COVID-19 therapies and oral antivirals, visit:
inyocounty.us/covid-19/therapeutics

NOTE TO PROVIDERS: (as of 05/18/2022) Public Health has dissolved the requirement for healthcare providers in Inyo County to utilize Provider Attestation Forms when referring/ordering/prescribing COVID-19 therapeutics.

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FACE COVERING INFORMATION:

CDPH is maintaining the masking requirements in specified high-risk settings, consistent with CDC recommendations. Masks are still required in the following locations for ALL individuals regardless of their vaccination status:

• Healthcare settings;
• Indoors in emergency shelters and cooling/heating centers;
• Long Term Care Settings & Adult and Senior Care Facilities;
• Homeless shelters;
• State and local correctional facilities and detention centers;
• On public transit 

CDPH is maintaining the requirement that businesses and venue operators, including K-12 school and childcare settings, must allow any individual to wear a mask if they desire to.

Additionally, CDPH strongly recommends masks for all persons, regardless of vaccine status, in indoor public settings and businesses (examples: retail, restaurants, theaters, family entertainment centers, meetings, state and local government offices serving the public). Surgical masks or higher-level respirators (e.g., N95s, KN95s, and KF94s) with good fit are still highly recommended

Guidance for Businesses: In workplaces, employers are subject to the CalOSHA COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) or in some workplaces the Cal/OSHA Aerosol Transmissible Diseases (ATD) Standard and should consult those regulations for additional applicable requirements.