KZYX Local Coronavirus Update with Dr. Drew Colfax

April 19, 2022--Dr. Drew Colfax gives the latest update on Covid-19 in Mendocino County. Since the last show, BA2 has driven an increase in new infections. Dr. Colfax tries to bring some clarity to the mixed messages about masking, and the decision to get second boosters.

April 5, 2022--With numbers looking good, and folks rediscovering "normal", Dr. Drew Colfax reminds people to maintain heighten vigilance after potential exposures, keep a low threshold to get tested, and consider therapeutics.

March 29, 2022--At last, Mendocino County's infection rate for Covid-19 is down to 5 per 100k, and this week saw a day at the Ukiah hospital with NO coronavirus cases. Despite the good news, the BA2 Variant is on the horizon, and Dr. Colfax advises listeners to keep up the common-sense covid protections like masking and testing. Treatments are increasingly available that contribute to the risk/benefit analysis for activities. With a discussion of Long Covid and a critical editorial at the end from a listener about Dr. Colfax's use of colorful language to describe anti-vaxers.

March 1, 2022--Dr Drew Colfax returns with better news about the Omicron surge, which has receded locally enough that hospitals have beds again.

February 15, 2022--Hospitalization number are still high, but the Omicron surge is receding in Mendocino County, albeit somewhat slower than in other regions. Dr. Drew Colfax returns for the latest update and listener questions.

February 1, 2022--Dr. Drew Colfax gives the latest on the Omicron surge for Mendocino County, looking forward to a normal spring as the wave of infections recedes over the next few weeks.

January 18, 2022--Dr. Colfax reports from the front lines of Mendocino County's health care system. Although case numbers are through the roof, local capacity to care for patients seems to be holding steady. He's optimistic that we will get through the Omicron surge, just barely. With listener questions.

January 11, 2022--Dr. Colfax returns to KZYX for a Special Special Edition of the Local Coronavirus Update about the Omicron Surge. The ferociously contagious variant is slamming Mendocino County, with hundreds of new cases this week and four additional deaths, but so far the hospitals are faring relatively well. With listener calls and the latest skyrocketing numbers.

January 4, 2022--Dr Drew Colfax returns to KZYX with the latest on how the Omicron surge is affecting local hospitals, and his hope that the contagious variant could expand immunity across our population and eventually help ease the pandemic. With questions from callers.

December 28, 2021--The last Coronavirus Update of 2021 brings tidings of omicron and a difficult month ahead as the tsunami of infections from the latest variant hits our communities.

December 14, 2021--Dr. Drew Colfax brings sobering news about the Omicron surge on the horizon for January, and fields a number of calls from covid skeptics. All this and more on this week's Local Coronavirus Update, from KZYX and Z in Mendocino County, California.

November 30, 2021--Dr. Drew Colfax talks Omicron, travel bans, vaccine sequellae, and more. With listener calls.

November 23, 2021--Dr. Drew Colfax returns to KZYX with the latest about the new oral anti-viral treatments for Covid making their way through the FDA approval process, why Mendocino County's positivity rates remain higher than neighboring counties, and best practices to avoid spreading Covid on Thanksgiving. With Alicia Bales.

November 9, 2021--Local ER Physician Dr. Drew Colfax returns to KZYX to discuss the latest pandemic news, run the numbers, and answer listeners' questions.

October 26, 2021--Dr. Drew Colfax returns to KZYX at his new time, Tuesday morning at 9am, with the latest on boosters, vaccinating children, plateauing case rates, and answers to listeners' questions.

October 18, 2021--Dr. Colfax returns for an especially lively show, with the latest local Covid numbers and live call-ins.

October 11, 2021--Big News from the ER, Dr. Colfax didn't diagnose a single case of Covid-19 this week! It was the pledge drive at KZYX, but this podcast episode has all the fundraising banter removed, leaving just the uninterrupted coronavirus news and Q & A. Hearty thanks to everyone who called in to support the show!

October 8, 2021--Dr. Andy Coren, Mendocino County Public Health Officer, gives his bi-weekly briefing on the Covid-19 Pandemic.

October 4, 2021--Dr. Drew Colfax returns with some good news about covid rates on the decline, and the latest on treatment options for people sick with the virus. And of course a lively collection of calls from listeners.

September 27, 2021--Dr. Colfax calls in from the road, clearing up confusion about boosters in this mini-update.

September 24, 2021--Mendocino County Public Health Officer Dr. Andy Coren gives the county's weekly Covid-19 briefing and answers questions from local journalists.

September 20, 2021--Dr. Drew Colfax returns with the dismal news that the Delta Variant is still hitting Mendocino County very hard, with some of the highest local numbers of hospitalizations yet during the pandemic.

September 13, 2021--Dr. Drew Colfax makes his opinion clear about the Public Health Officer's U-turn away from a vaccine mandate policy for local businesses. As seen in the Ukiah Daily Journal.....

Slides of the Presentation are available here: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/15HU2O6qjwOsWiLk4P9QwzwKb1tWa4t1w/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=117390375921992776796&rtpof=true&sd=true

September 6, 2021-Dr. Drew Colfax spends an hour on Labor Day talking about Covid and answering listeners' questions, then heads of to work the holiday night shift at the ER.

Augusts 30, 2021--Delta variant cases are still at historically high levels here in Mendocino County, filling hospital beds and ICUs and leading to higher death rates than we've seen so far during the pandemic. Dr. Colfax signed a letter this week, along with over 60 other local healthcare providers, asking County residents to get vaccinated to stem the tide of new coronavirus cases threatening to overwhelm our hospitals and clinics. You can read it here: Dear Mendocino County Community, We are a group of doctors and medical providers living and working in Mendocino County. We need your help. Like all of you, we are heartbroken at the number of lives and livelihoods the COVID-19 pandemic has taken. COVID-19 has proven difficult to control, and this pandemic feels unrelenting to all of us, as healthcare providers and as members of the community. We work in the emergency departments at Ukiah Valley, Howard Memorial and Mendocino Coast Hospitals, in the inpatient units, the intensive care units, and the clinics in the community. Every day, we take care of more and more patients who are sick with COVID-19. The great majority of hospitalized patients are unvaccinated. Our emergency departments are overflowing. Our hospitals are full. Our ICUs are full. We struggle to find hospital beds even for the patients who are coming to the emergency department with strokes, heart attacks, or appendicitis. When patients need services that our hospitals cannot provide, we struggle to transfer them, and have become used to hearing the phrase “there are no hospital beds in all of Northern California.” We repeat this sentence to our patients, to their worried family members. Never before have we seen such a surge of sick, young patients with COVID-19, and never before has our medical system faced such a challenge. We can all do our part in this dire situation by getting vaccinated. We will keep coming to work every day and taking care of everyone who walks through our doors -- taking care of those in need is what we do and we can't imagine working anywhere else. But we need your help to prevent hospitalizations and deaths. Rumors and misinformation are circulating about the vaccine. Please talk with us, or your primary care provider, about the COVID-19 vaccine. The data and the science are clear: the vaccine is safe and highly effective in preventing severe COVID-19 illness and COVID-related deaths. We are vaccinated. Getting vaccinated will not only protect you, but will also keep your loved ones and your community safe and out of the hospital. If you would like to get vaccinated for FREE, please visit: ​​https://www.mendocinocounty.org/community/novel-coronavirus/covid-19-vaccinations/vaccination-clinics Erica Valdovinos, MD Georgina Calderon, MD MPH J. Drew Colfax, MD JD Mike Hausberger, DO Martha Montgomery, MD MS Gigi Lee, MD Carolyn Boley, NP Debbie Marks, MD Gary Fausone, MD Jennifer Zernec, DO Katie Hatch, MD Jorge A Allende, MD Lisa Gamble, PA-C Mark Luoto, MD Duncan Johnston, MD Tod Imperato, FNP Jodi Parungao, MD Brian Gould, DO Hayley Rousek, MD Charles Baugh, MD Gerry V. Lazzareschi, MD Angela Mapanao, DO Gretchen Duran, PA Noah Chutz, PA-C Marvin Trotter, MD Mary Newkirk, MD Sara Martin, MD Brandon Begley, DO Cindy Novella, FNP Barry Sheppard, MD James Dolan, MD Chloe Nicolaisen, MD John Rochat MD Meghan McCurry, DO Elaine Yang, MD Timothy Burger, MD Andrea McCullough MD E. Xavier Ortiz, MD Michael Mian, MD Cameron MacInnis, MD Cara Eberhardt, MD Mark Apfel, MD Casey Johnston, MD David Streeter, MD Robin Serrahn, MD Kirsten Q. Juliet, MD Anne Martin-Ko, MD Ilan Kolkowitz, MD Paul Hupp, PA-C Linda K James, MD Sharon Paltin, MD Snehal Raisoni, MD Hengbing Wang, MD Lawrence Goldyn, MD Elizabeth Whipkey-Olson, DO Angus Matheson, MD D. Mills Matheson, MD Ziad Hanna, DO Zoe Berna, MD Scott Gherini, MD Jason Ullyott, PA John Lee, MD Marisa Zuluaga, MD Faith Simon, FNP Jeremy Clay, MD MPH Cynthia Mockel, FNP Scott Loeliger, MD, MS

August, 27, 2021--Dr. Andy Coren gives Mendocino County's weekly Public Health briefing on the Coronavirus Pandemic. Currently hospitals in the county are more full than they have ever been throughout the pandemic, and deaths continue to go up. This week Mendocino County saw its first death from a younger person with no comorbidities, causing worry among healthcare providers. The vast majority of new covid cases are among unvaccinated people.

August 23, 2021--Dr. Drew Colfax returns to help KZXY listeners navigate through the worst days of the Delta variant surge, which has filled hospital beds across the region. With calls from listeners.

August 20, 2021--Public Health Officer Dr. Andy Coren gives the weekly Covid-19 briefing with members of the local media. Case rates in Mendocino County are now the worst in the state, and local hospitals are reaching capacity. The County has experienced its 57th death in the last 24 hours.

August 16, 2021--Dr. Drew Colfax returns to KZYX after five days straight in the ER, where 10-15 people a night were coming through with Covid, and patients with other emergencies were facing 60 hour waits for care. In a situation he describes as a 'crush' of Delta variant infections, he confirms that cases are off the charts and hospitals all over Northern California are full, mostly from unvaccinated people sick with the virus.

August 13, 2021--Mendocino County Public Health Officer Dr. Andy Coren gives a special briefing on the Delta variant and state of the virus in Mendocino County, after reporting yesterday the most new infections in a single day since the start of the pandemic. With questions from local journalists.

August 6, 2021--Dr. Andy Coren gives a briefing on the state of the Delta Variant in Mendocino County, new county guidelines and orders regarding masking, and the community's 53rd death from the disease. With questions from local journalists.

August 2, 2021--Dr. Drew Colfax returns to the KZYX airwaves for a special call-in show in light of the ongoing surge of new Covid cases sweeping through Mendocino County. With information about the Delta Variant, pediatric cases, best practices for staying safe and slowing the spread, and LOTS of listener phone calls.

June 28, 2021--The LAST Episode of the Local Coronavirus Update with Dr. Drew Colfax...for now. Listeners call in with questions, thanks, and a couple of Covid-Update farewell poems!

June 21, 2021--Dr. Drew Colfax and Alicia Bales give a live update on KZYX about the week's coronavirus news for Mendocino County, and answer listeners' calls.

June 18, 2021--Mendocino County Public Health Officer Dr. Andy Coren gives a live briefing on KZYX about the local Covid Pandemic, and answers listeners' questions. With Kirk Ford, Assistant Director of the County's Department Operations Center.

June 14, 2021--Dr. Drew Colfax is live in the studio for the Local Coronavirus Update on KZYX, bringing the latest updates and answering listeners questions.

June 11, 2021--KZYX broadcasts the County of Mendocino's biweekly Covid-19 update with Public Health Officer Dr. Andy Coren and members of the local media.

June 7, 2021--Dr. Drew Colfax returns with the latest on Mendocino County's coronavirus status, with an ongoing surge among the unvaccinated population, increasingly desperate measures to get residents their shots, and all manner of advice about socializing in and outdoors.

June 4, 2021--Dr. Andy Coren reports that Mendocino County is currently in a surge, with Covid-19 cases rising inland, 8 hospitalizations, and 1 additional death from the virus in the community. He urges unvaccinated residents to get the vaccine, announcing 18 upcoming vaccine events scheduled by the county in the week ahead, and money prizes for those who get their shot before June 15th.

May 31, 2021--Dr. Drew Colfax gives the week's update and answers callers' questions about the relative risks of various activities such as riding a train, playing volleyball indoors, and of course sing-a-longs.

May 28, 2021--As Mendocino County experiences a surge of new cases among unvaccinated residents, Public Health Officer Dr. Andy Coren warns we may be headed back to the "Orange Tier."

May 24, 2021--Dr. Drew Colfax returns to KZYX with his thoughts on the ongoing pandemic, and answer listeners' questions.

May 21, 2021--Dr. Andy Coren and Trey Strickland bring KZYX listeners up to date as Covid cases continue to increase throughout the Mendocino County this week.

May 17, 2021--Dr. Drew Colfax calls in from the road with his thoughts on Mendocino County's mini-surge and new hospitalizations, and the CDC's stupid advice about masking. With calls from listeners.

Here are the vaccine events organized by Mendocino County Public Health this week. To find out more please visit https://www.mendocinocounty.org/community/novel-coronavirus/covid-19-vaccinationsFirst Dose Vaccine Events:TONIGHT (Friday May 14, 2021) in Hopland at the Intersection of HWY 101 and HWY 175 from 5-7pm, no appointment necessary. This is for all individuals aged 12 and older, for minors a parent or legal guardian must print out and sign consent from, find that at mendocinocounty.orgMonday May 17th in Point Arena at the Point Arena City Hall from 3-5pm, they’re offering Moderna 1st Doses for all people age 18 and older. You can schedule an appointment at mendocinocounty.org, but all county vaccine events are also now walk-in.Wednesday May 19th  in Ukiah, there is a First Dose Pfizer vaccine event at Manzanita Services at 410 Jones St in Ukiah from 1-2pm. Open to all 12 and older, minors need a signed parental consent form.Wednesday May 19 in Ukiah at the Ukiah Fairgrounds, there is a Moderna 1st Dose event from 4-7pm, for anyone 18 and older.On Friday May 21st in Redwood Valley there is a 1st Dose Pfizer event at Eagle Peak Middle School from 8-10am, open for anyone 12 and older, especially students and their families. Friday in Ukiah there is also a 1st Dose Pfizer vaccine event at Pomolita Middle School from 11am-1pm, again for anyone 12 and older, especially students and their families.And on Friday and Saturday there are Pfizer 1st Dose events at Ukiah High School for anyone 12 and older, especially students and their families. On Friday May 21st they’re vaccinating from 2pm-5pm. And on Saturday May 22nd they’ll be giving shots from 8am-1pm.2nd Dose Events:Pfizer 2nd DosesTuesday May 18th there is a 2nd dose event at Leggett Valley School from 10am to noon for anyone who received their 1st dose at Leggett Valley School on April 28, 2021. Bring your vaccination card.Tuesday May 18th there is a 2nd dose Pfizer event at Laytonville High School from 12:30-1pm for those who received their first dose of Pfizer at Laytonville High on April 28, 2021.Tuesday May 18th there is a 2nd dose Pfizer clinic at Whale Gulch School from 11am-12pm for anyone who got their first Pfizer shot on April 28, 2021. On Thursday May 20th there is a 2nd dose Pfizer event in Ukiah at the Ukiah Fairgrounds from 3-5pm for anyone who received their 1st does at the Ukiah Fairgrounds on or before April 28th or April 29th.And on Saturday May 22nd there is a 2nd dose Pfizer clinic at Ukiah High School from 8am-1pm for anyone who received their 1st dose at Ukiah High on May 1st, 2021.Moderna 2nd DosesThursday May 20th, there is a 2nd dose Moderna clinic from 5-7pm for anyone who received their first dose on or before april 22nd at the Ukiah fairgrounds.You can also contact your local clinic or health center to find out about local vaccine opportunities. Pharmacies such as rite aid, safeway, and walmart are offering vaccine appointments at their websites. Veterans can get vaccines at the VA Clinic, tribal health centers in the county are offering vaccine events.There are no barriers to verification, there is no affect on eligibility for benefits or immigration status. Some events may offer special rewards to people who get their shots, such as gift cards and gift certificates for food and other goodies. All county events are now walk-in, no appointment necessary. Bring your vaccination card for 2nd dose events. And for minors between 12 and 17, bring a signed consent form from your parent or guardian which you can print out by visiting the mendocinocounty.org website or by clicking this link https://www.mendocinocounty.org/home/showpublisheddocument/43026/637564986498770000

Mendocino County Public Health's Vaccine Events for the week of 5.10Bring your vaccination cards for 2nd dose shots. Walk Ins welcome to all events.Today, Monday 5/10 at the Ukiah Fairgrounds from 5-7pm, Johnson and Johnson and Pfizer shots. Tuesday 5/11 at Potter Valley High School from 11:15am-1pm, J & J and Pfizer 2nd doses for anyone who received their first shot on 4/20. 1st doses also available, Walk Ins Welcome. 16 and older.Tuesday 5/11 at the Ukiah Fairgrounds from 5-7pm, Pfizer shots available.Wednesday 5/12 in Covelo at Covelo High School from 10am-12pm, Pfizer 1st doses and 2nd doses for anyone who received their first shot on 4/21, 16 and older.Thursday 5/13 at the Ukiah Fairgrounds from 1-7pm, Pfizer 2nd Doses from anyone who had their first shots on April 19, 20, 22nd or 23rd. Friday in Hopland at the corner of Hwy 175 and Hwy 101, the County is working with the Hopland Tribal Council to have a drive through event from 5-7pm. Walk ins also welcome.More events are being added daily, check https://www.mendocinocounty.org/community/novel-coronavirus/covid-19-vaccinations to find out more. 

May 7, 2021--Alicia Bales hosts the Friday Covid Q&A with members of Mendocino County's Coronavirus Response Team, including Vaccine Coordinators Darcie Antle and Angel Slater, and Trey Strickland who has taken over management of the Department Operations Center in charge of testing, case investigation, and contact tracing. Also on the panel is Dr. William Miller, Chief of Staff at Adventist Health – Mendocino Coast Hospital, who writes the weekly Miller Report covering pandemic developments.

May 3, 2021--Dr. Drew Colfax answers listeners' questions about the local coronavirus response, hospitalization rates, vaccine hesitancy and more.

Covid Testing Opportunities in Mendocino County, Week starting May 3:Testing rates have fallen off, but free testing is still available in Mendocino County. Rates are so low, we may not be able to find index cases in time to control outbreaks. Dr. Coren recommended getting tested once per month whether vaccinated or not.-Ukiah: Sunday-Thursday 9-5 pm at the Ukiah Fairgrounds-Fort Bragg: Tuesdays 9-5 at the Vets HallThe county’s Optum-Serv Testing Travel Team is in Point Arena and Boonville today 4/30.-Next Week they’ll be in Laytonville and WillitsConsolidated Tribal Health is testing in Willits today 4/30.Symptomatic people should go to their clinics/providers for testing.Vaccine opportunities: All vaccines are Free and Accessible to allCounty events:-Ukiah on Saturday May 1, Pfizer at Ukiah High School, for students and families.-Willits on May 4, 3-6pm, Willits Community Center. Pfizer 1st and 2nd Dose.-Ukiah on May 5, 1-7pm Ukiah Fairgrounds, Pfizer 1st and 2nd Dose.-Mendocino on May 6, 3-6pm, Mendocino Presbyterian Church, 44831 Main Street. Pfizer 1st and 2nd Dose.Local Clinics: -RCMS in Gualala  is going to have Pfizer vaccines available on Saturdays and during clinic visits. May 1st 2nd Dose Pfizer, May 8th 2nd dose Pfizer. Call to sign up.-Mendocino Coast Clinics--"May is for Moderna," Fridays 5:30-7:30 drive thru clinics at MCC in Fort Bragg, call call at 964-1251-Anderson Valley Health Center, holding a clinic on Thurs May 6, for 2nd dose Moderna at AV High School, first doses are available by request, drop in.-MCHC. Has J&J available at their office, shots are available during patient visits.-Baechtel Creek Clinic in Willits, vaccinations on Tuesdays and Fridays, Pfizer 2nd doses are available. Some Moderna. Please call first to schedule.-Laytonville, Long Valley Health Center: Tuesdays and Friday Clinics. 10am to noon 2nd Dose Moderna, by appointment or walk in.-Consolidated Tribal Health, Redwood Valley, will be offering Moderna 1st doses on Weds 5/5 in the morning, with 2nd doses available in the afternoon-Adventists Health Ukiah Valley, has vaccines available for their patients, sign up with them for scheduling a future combined clinic-Round Valley Indian Health Center, Saturday May 15th, 10am-12pm, 1st or second doses drive throughs and walk ins are welcome.

April 26, 2021--Dr. Drew Colfax gives an update on the latest coronavirus news and answers listeners' questions...with a good dose of fundraising to support KZYX!