Mendonoma Health Alliance is partnering with Mendocino County Sheriff  for a community Prescription Take-Back Event in Point Arena on Wednesday, November 4th, 2020.  You can safely drive-thru & drop off all your unused or expired prescriptions and nonprescription medicines from 2pm - 4pm.   It's important that medications don't end up in the trash or flushed down the toilet.  Drugs can be very toxic for people and wildlife, even in low doses.  Come to the parking lot of Point Arena High School right in front of the gymnasium.  For more information, please visit mendonomahealth.org or call (707) 412-3176 x102.  Tell a friend!  


Prescription Take-Back 
Mendonoma Health Alliance & Mendocino County Sheriff Dept.
November 4, 2020
2:00p - 4:00p
Point Arena High School parking lot in front of the gym.
More info at: mendonomahealth.org   (707) 412-3176 x102

Mendocino County Public Health Department will conduct another free COVID-19 screening this Saturday in Point Arena. It is first-come, first-serve testing – no pre-registration required. 

Saturday, October 24, 2020
Point Arena Veteran’s Hall
451 School Street, Point Arena 95468
9:30 am – 12:00 pm (or until swabs run out)
Testing is free and open to the public.

Please note that RCMS is not involved or coordinating this activity. This event is managed by Mendocino County Public Health Department, please read the flyer for information.

Mendonoma Health Alliance (MHA) is hosting a free 5-week Diabetes Education workshop starting on October 21, 2020. The series will feature lessons on nutrition, cooking lessons, physiology and more. Details in the flyers below or for more information go to ​https://mendonomahealth.org/diabetes-education-5-week-series-oct-21-thru-nov-18/. 

The County of Mendocino shared recommendations for Halloween and Día de Muertos during COVID-19.  The documents are in both English and Spanish.
​
You can download the Mendocino County documents here: 
https://www.mendocinocounty.org/community/novel-coronavirus/health-order

The State has also issued guidance, which is available here: 
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/Guidance-for-Safer-Halloween-and-Dia-de-los-Muertos-Celebrations-during-COVID-19.aspx

​Please Note New Procedures – Appointments Required
 Redwood Coast Medical Services (RCMS) is continuing to collaborate with the Mendocino County Health Department and UCSF to perform ongoing free COVID-19 Screenings for asymptomatic patients (people with no COVID-19 symptoms). Because weather/rain will make our drive through events difficult going forward, we have changed to a scheduled COVID-19 screening system.  
 
Our next screening event is:
 Saturday October 17, 2020
10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (by appointment only)
RCMS Gualala Clinic Triage Tent, 46900 Ocean Drive, Gualala
 
To make an appointment to be screened there are two options:

• Go the RCMS website (https://www.rcms-healthcare.org/) and click the “GET TESTED” button
• Click on this direct link to access the RCMS ASYMPTOMATIC COVID-19 SCREENING scheduling site: https://redwoodcoastmedicalservicesinc.setmore.com/covidscreeningappointment

 
We are not currently making appointments for this asymptomatic screening event by phone, so please do not call the clinic for a screening appointment. All screening for patients without symptoms are scheduled only through the above link. If you need help with the website/link, we ask that you ask a friend or family member to help schedule you on the website. If you are SICK WITH SYMPTOMS, then do call the clinic for a medical appointment – and you will be seen in Urgent Care.
 
Results
Like our past screenings, tests will be run at UCSF. You will receive a phone call only if you test positive for COVID-19. If you receive no phone call within 7 days of your test, you are negative. You will not receive a call if you are negative.
 
Why Get Tested: Please be aware that COVID-19 is on the rise in Mendocino and Sonoma Counties. Testing events such as this allow us to locate and isolate/quarantine asymptomatic positive cases and their contacts, and is ultimately very protective of the community. It also allows the Health Department to monitor the prevalence of the infection in our community. Thank you for getting screened!

RCMS will be hosting its first socially distanced walk up/no appointment FLU SHOT CLINIC of the 2020/2021 flu season  
 
WHY GET IMMUNIZED:  During the COVID19 pandemic, reducing the risk of getting the flu is essential.   Not only will this reduce the risk to your own health and that of your family (by preventing the risk of back to back flu an COVID19); it will also reduce the burden of illness seen in medical centers/hospitals; and reduce the confusion about which illness a patient has (COVID19 vs. influenza) – especially when testing for both illnesses are limited.
 
WHERE IS THE CLINIC: Gualala Community Center  (large Pay-and-Take hall).   Enter on one side of the building, exit on the other side.  (Get your shot in the middle!)
 
WHEN: Sunday October 18th from 10am until 2pm (or until we run out of shots – whichever comes first).
 
WHO CAN COME: Anyone aged 18 and older.  (Children ages 6 months to 18 years are also strongly encouraged to get flu shots.  Please call to make them an appointment for their shot at RCMS:  707-884-4005.)
 
COST: There is no charge for the flu shots, but a $20 donation is suggested.
 
DO WE OFFER THE HIGH-DOSE FLU SHOT FOR PERSONS 65 and OLDER? No. If you would like to get the high-dose flu shot, you will need to go to a commercial pharmacy.  RCMS is unable to offer these, and our local pharmacies currently do not have any.       
 
DOES THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON IMMUNIZATION PRACTICES (ACIP) RECOMMEND THE HIGH DOSE FLU VACCINE OVER THE STANDARD FLU VACCINE FOR PERSONS OVER 65 YEARS OLD?   As we age, the body loses its ability to develop a strong immune response after getting a flu shot; theoretically, a shot that delivers a higher antigen dose can boost an older person’s immune response. However, ACIP has not recommended the high dose flu vaccine over the traditional flu vaccine for persons 65 and older. Therefore, if you are over 65, and unable to get a high dose flu vaccine, it is acceptable to get the standard dose vaccine.

El 23 de septiembre de 2020, Redwood Coast Medical Services (RCMS) alertó a Salud Pública del Condado de Mendocino (MCPH, por sus siglas en inglés) sobre una serie de casos positivos de COVID-19 en la región de la Costa Sur del Condado de Mendocino. Desde entonces, hemos estado abordando un brote de COVID-19 en la Costa Sur, que consta de 9 residentes positivos del Condado de Mendocino al momento de este comunicado de prensa. Todos los casos han sido contactados para una investigación inicial y participaronen el rastreo de contactos para identificar contactos cercanos. A la fecha, la mayoría de los casos han sido liberados del aislamiento.

MCPH, en colaboración con Manchester Band of Pomo Indians of the Manchester Rancheria, RCMS, California Rural Indian Health Board, Inc. y AB Med Healthcare Solutions ofrecerán pruebas de COVID-19 gratuitas este próximo fin de semana, con una opción anónima disponible. Los sitios de prueba son los siguientes:

Sábado, 10 de octubre de 2020
· 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM no es necesario hacer cita
Manchester Point Arena Clinic at 10A Mamie Laiwa Road, Point Arena
Pruebas realizadas por AB Med

· 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM con previa cita únicamente
Clínica Gualala RCMS, en 46900 Ocean Drive, Gualala
Pruebas realizadas por RCMS
https://redwoodcoastmedicalservicesinc.setmore.com/covidscreening​

Domingo, 11 de octubre de 2020
 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM no es necesario hacer cita
Point Arena Veterans Hall, en 451 School Street, Point Arena
Pruebas realizadas por MCPH

Las pruebas están abiertas a todos, y alentamos a que se haga la prueba si usted o alguien cercano a usted...

1. Ha estado en contacto cercano con alguien fuera de su hogar inmediato: esto incluye reuniones en espacios interiores o exteriores, grandes o pequeñas, y espacios confinados como vehículos o lugares de trabajo.
2. Trabaja con el público, especialmente en entornos donde los clientes o los empleados no siempre usan mascarillas, y donde los compañeros de trabajo toman descansos y comen juntos.

​Si usted o alguien a su alrededor ha tenido síntomas similares a los de la gripe, como tos, dolor de garganta, diarrea, fiebre, etc., aíslese y llame a su proveedor de atención médica para una prueba y una evaluación.

No es necesario ponerse en cuarentena mientras espera sus resultados, y MCPH se comunicará directamente con aquellos que aprovechen esta oportunidad de prueba si tienen un resultado positivo. Aquellos que no reciban una llamada de Salud Pública cuatro días después de la prueba, pueden asumir con seguridad que son negativos, pero también pueden llamar al Centro de Llamadas del Condado de Mendocino al (707) 472-2759, si necesitan una prueba de su resultado negativo.

Más de 400 personas han recibido la prueba desde el brote inicial del 23/09/20. No han sido identificadas nuevas pruebas positivas entre los residentes del Condado de Mendocino. Continuaremos trabajando en colaboración para realizar pruebas de vigilancia, enun esfuerzo por controlar la propagación.

On September 23, 2020, Mendocino County Public Health (MCPH) was alerted by Redwood Coast Medical Services (RCMS) to a number of positive COVID-19 cases in the South Coast region of Mendocino County. Since then, we have been addressing a COVID-19 outbreak on the South Coast, consisting of 9 positive Mendocino County residents at the time of this Press Release. All cases have been contacted for initial investigation and participated in contact tracing to identify close contacts. The majority of the cases have been released from isolation as of this date.

MCPH, in collaboration with the Manchester Band of Pomo Indians of the Manchester Rancheria, RCMS, California Rural Indian Health Board, Inc. and AB Med Healthcare Solutions will be offering free COVID-19 testing this upcoming weekend, with an anonymous option available. Testing sites include the following:

Saturday, October 10, 2020
9:30 AM – 2:00 PM no appointment necessary
Manchester Point Arena Clinic at 10A Mamie Laiwa Road, Point Arena
Testing conducted by AB Med

12:00 PM - 6:00 PM by appointment only
RCMS Gualala Clinic at 46900 Ocean Drive, Gualala
Testing conducted by RCMS
​To book a testing appointment at the Gualala Clinic above, visit: https://redwoodcoastmedicalservicesinc.setmore.com/covidscreening

Sunday, October 11, 2020
9:30 AM - 12:00 PM no appointment necessary
Point Arena Veterans Hall at 451 School Street, Point Arena
Testing conducted by MCPH

Testing is open to all, and we encourage you to get tested if you or someone close to you…

1. Has come into close contact with anyone outside of your immediate household - This includes inside or outside gatherings, large or small, and confined spaces such as vehicles or workspaces.
2. Works with the public, especially in settings where masks are not always used by either customers or employees, and where coworkers take breaks and eat together.

If you or anyone around you has had flu-like symptoms such as cough, sore throat, diarrhea, fever or etc., please isolate yourself, and call your healthcare provider for a test and evaluation.

You do not have to be quarantined while you await your results, and those who do take advantage of this testing opportunity will be contacted directly by MCPH if they have a positive result. Those who do not receive a call from Public Health 4 days after the test can safely assume they are negative, but can also call the Mendocino County Call Center at (707) 472-2759 if they need proof of their negative result.

Over 400 individuals have been tested since the initial outbreak of 09/23/20. No new positive tests have been identified for Mendocino County residents. We will continue to work collaboratively to conduct surveillance testing in effort to control the spread.

FLU SHOT APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE
RCMS now has flu shots available for in-clinic visits. All persons age six months and older are encouraged to get flu shots this season. Please call the clinic to make an appointment for a flu shot. We frequently have same or next day appointments.

Gualala Clinic: (707) 884-4005
Point Arena Clinic: (707) 882-1704

COMMUNITY FLU SHOT CLINICS ARE BEING PLANNED
RCMS is still awaiting delivery of the flu shots we use in our community flu shot clinics. As soon as these shots become available, we will be sponsoring flu shot events that include physical distancing and following other COVID-19 safety guidelines. We will keep the community informed as the dates and locations are finalized.

HIGH DOSE FLU SHOTS
RCMS does not carry the high dose flu shots, an option for patients 65 and older. We do, however, provide the normal dose flu shot to patients in this age group. Patients wishing to receive the high dose flu shot should inquire at commercial pharmacies.

IS IT IMPORTANT TO GET FLU IMMUNIZED DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC?
YES! While the flu vaccine will not prevent the spread of COVID19, it will reduce the presence of respiratory illness in our community, and the extreme health risk of the one-two punch of getting influenza and COVID19 back to back. Preventing the confusion of which illness a person might have (influenza or COVID19) by preventing one of these illnesses will reduce the strain these illnesses create, for patients, their families/caregivers, work places and healthcare facilities. Please help create personal and herd immunity in your community this year — and get influenza immunized.