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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – This flu season is bringing unique concerns, with the potential for confusion of seasonal flu and COVID-19 symptoms.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported, “Influenza (flu) activity often begins to increase in October.”
“We are very concerned about the flu this year, during the time of COVID,” said Lake County’s Public Health Officer, Gary Pace, MD, MPH. “Protecting our most vulnerable citizens during the risky fall and winter months is a priority.”
“All people are strongly encouraged to get the flu vaccine this year,” shared Pace. “They are available through your medical provider, at many pharmacies and at some flu vaccine clinics.”
Cost should not be a barrier. On Oct. 10, there is a free drive-through flu clinic at the Lake County Fairgrounds through the “Heroes of Health” event.
Information for health care workers
“Usually we have a Public Health order for health care workers to get the flu vaccine, or, as an alternative, to wear a mask when performing patient care,” said Pace. “Since all workers providing patient care are required to wear masks this year due to COVID, the order is not needed at this time. I continue to strongly recommend the influenza vaccine to be taken by every healthcare worker in acute care hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and outpatient clinics.”
Pace and fellow Public Health officers in small Northern California counties recently issued a statement addressing the importance of healthcare workers getting immunized against the flu.
The statement can be read here.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported, “Influenza (flu) activity often begins to increase in October.”
“We are very concerned about the flu this year, during the time of COVID,” said Lake County’s Public Health Officer, Gary Pace, MD, MPH. “Protecting our most vulnerable citizens during the risky fall and winter months is a priority.”
“All people are strongly encouraged to get the flu vaccine this year,” shared Pace. “They are available through your medical provider, at many pharmacies and at some flu vaccine clinics.”
Cost should not be a barrier. On Oct. 10, there is a free drive-through flu clinic at the Lake County Fairgrounds through the “Heroes of Health” event.
Information for health care workers
“Usually we have a Public Health order for health care workers to get the flu vaccine, or, as an alternative, to wear a mask when performing patient care,” said Pace. “Since all workers providing patient care are required to wear masks this year due to COVID, the order is not needed at this time. I continue to strongly recommend the influenza vaccine to be taken by every healthcare worker in acute care hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and outpatient clinics.”
Pace and fellow Public Health officers in small Northern California counties recently issued a statement addressing the importance of healthcare workers getting immunized against the flu.
The statement can be read here.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Fifty days of burning have brought the August Complex to more than one million acres, while to the south the containment on the Glass fire grew, as did the numbers of burned structures revealed by the latest damage assessments.
On Monday evening, the lightning-caused August Complex was at 1,003,387 acres and 58-percent containment, the US Forest Service said.
The complex, which began Aug. 17, is burning across seven counties – Colusa, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Tehama and Trinity counties – and on the Mendocino, Shasta-Trinity and Six Rivers National Forests.
In a separate report, Cal Fire said it has so far destroyed a total of 242 structures and damaged six others. There are 1,691 personnel and 30 crews assigned.
It’s the largest fire in California history, and more than twice the size of the fire in second place – the 2018 Mendocino Complex, which also burned in Lake County and totaled 459,123 acres.
The complex accounts for a quarter of the four million acres Cal Fire said have burned in California so far this year.
On Sunday, the Forest Service said overhead teams continued to reassign resources, build strategy, secure communications, and move crews and equipment to strategic positions near the complex’s west and northwest perimeter.
In the South Zone, which includes northern Lake County, crews continued to patrol the fire perimeter, Lake Pillsbury and Rice Fork, officials said.
The Forest Service said a new incident management team is traveling to the forest and will be arriving on Wednesday to manage the complex’s South Zone.
Over the last week, the August South BAER team conducted reconnaissance and assessments of the southeastern side of the fire. The team has narrowed its assessment focus to approximately 521,000 acres, the Forest Service said.
BAER surveys are rapid assessments that evaluate the burned area to identify watersheds having increased potential for post-fire flooding, sediment flows and rock slides. The Forest Service said BAER emergency response efforts are focused on the protection of human life, safety and property, as well as critical cultural and natural resource values such as the water quality of streams and wetlands on National Forest System lands.
Multiple fire engines and water tenders are continuing to patrol containment lines along the long southern perimeter of the fire from Eel River to Paskenta, the Forest Service said.
Glass fire damage assessment numbers rise
To the south, Cal Fire said the Glass fire, burning in Napa and Sonoma counties, grew to a total of 66,840 acres on Monday night, an increase of 1,940 acres over the previous night, with containment growing in that same 24-hour period by 15 percent, to a total of 41-percent containment.
Nearly 2,800 firefighters are assigned to the fire, burning since Sept. 27. Resources on the incident include 409 engines, 48 water tenders, 20 helicopters, 27 hand crews, 48 dozers and 11 masticators, Cal Fire said.
The latest damage assessments put the number of destroyed structures at 1,309 – 768 in Napa County and 541 in Sonoma County. Damaged structures total 249, 121 in Sonoma County and 128 in Napa County.
Cal Fire said the Glass Fire burned actively throughout Monday, especially in higher terrain due to critically dry fuels and rugged topography. Aggressive mop up and tactical patrol continue in areas where the fire’s forward progress has stopped. Crews are working aggressively to construct and reinforce existing control lines.
Due to the fire’s close proximity to the Lake County line, evacuation warnings for two areas in Lake County, south of Middletown, remain in effect, officials reported.
The agency asked that as people start returning home, they be vigilant that emergency crews are still working in the area.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Middletown Area Town Hall this week will hear from the state senator for Lake County on several key issues and take nominations for board seats.
MATH will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, via Zoom. The meeting is open to the public.
To join the Zoom meeting click on this link; the meeting ID is 872 2935 2332. Call in at 888-788-0099.
On the agenda, State Sen. Mike McGuire will speak to the group starting at 7:05 p.m. regarding fire safety and mitigation, concerns for schools and addressing the homeless.
At 7:50 p.m., District 1 Supervisor Moke Simon will give his monthly update.
At 7:55 p.m., the candidates for the Callayomi County Water District Board – Rosemary Córdova, Sandra Harris and Roger Rosenthal – will speak to the group.
At 8:05 p.m., the MATH Board will take nominations for three seats – one at-large and two for Middletown proper – for this coming year.
At 8:10 a.m., the group will discuss a clarification to Article 4, Section 1 in the MATH bylaws, “MATH Board Election Structure, Requirements and Districts.” The draft revised bylaws document can be seen below.
The MATH Board includes Chair Tom Darms, Vice Chair Sally Peterson, Secretary Paul Baker, and at-large members Rosemary Córdova and Lisa Kaplan.
MATH – established by resolution of the Lake County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 12, 2006 – is a municipal advisory council serving the residents of Anderson Springs, Cobb, Coyote Valley (including Hidden Valley Lake), Long Valley and Middletown.
For more information emailThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Email Elizabeth Larson atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
MATH will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, via Zoom. The meeting is open to the public.
To join the Zoom meeting click on this link; the meeting ID is 872 2935 2332. Call in at 888-788-0099.
On the agenda, State Sen. Mike McGuire will speak to the group starting at 7:05 p.m. regarding fire safety and mitigation, concerns for schools and addressing the homeless.
At 7:50 p.m., District 1 Supervisor Moke Simon will give his monthly update.
At 7:55 p.m., the candidates for the Callayomi County Water District Board – Rosemary Córdova, Sandra Harris and Roger Rosenthal – will speak to the group.
At 8:05 p.m., the MATH Board will take nominations for three seats – one at-large and two for Middletown proper – for this coming year.
At 8:10 a.m., the group will discuss a clarification to Article 4, Section 1 in the MATH bylaws, “MATH Board Election Structure, Requirements and Districts.” The draft revised bylaws document can be seen below.
The MATH Board includes Chair Tom Darms, Vice Chair Sally Peterson, Secretary Paul Baker, and at-large members Rosemary Córdova and Lisa Kaplan.
MATH – established by resolution of the Lake County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 12, 2006 – is a municipal advisory council serving the residents of Anderson Springs, Cobb, Coyote Valley (including Hidden Valley Lake), Long Valley and Middletown.
For more information email
Email Elizabeth Larson at
09262020 Draft Revisions ByLaws by LakeCoNews on Scribd
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Sutter Lakeside Hospital is sponsoring the seventh annual Heroes of Health and Safety Fair, providing flu shots, disaster preparedness and oral health giveaways to the community.
The drive-thru event will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at the racetrack at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 401 Martin St. in Lakeport.
Sutter Lakeside Hospital and local agency partners are hosting this drive-thru community event at the racetrack so you and your family can safely receive a flu shot while staying in your car. Additional giveaways will be available while supplies last.
This year health officials said we will face a flu season like no other. As influenza and COVID-19 are different viruses, it is possible to contract both, simultaneously.
“Many doctors think that people with the flu may be more vulnerable to getting a severe COVID infection,” says Dr. Gary Pace, Lake County Public Health officer.
Sutter Lakeside will offer flu shots to the first 500 adults who drive-thru on the racetrack.
Additionally, attendees will receive oral health kits and can be trained on how to act fast if they witness someone overdose on narcotics.
Present in many prescription medications, narcotics are powerful pain relievers that a person might take for a legitimate medical reason. Unfortunately if too much is taken someone can overdose, which slows or stops their breathing.
You can save a life by knowing how to administer the antidote to a narcotic overdose. Antidote kits, which include the medication Narcan, will be provided to attendees who have received the training and could potentially witness a narcotic overdose.
Natural disasters like the current pandemic and recent wildfires are reminders that each of us needs to be as ready as we can be to take care of ourselves and our neighbors in an emergency.
This year attendees to the Health & Safety Fair will receive an emergency preparedness go bag while supplies last. Additionally, disaster preparedness education, covering tips to protect yourself, your family and your pets, will be provided.
“Lake County has endured multiple disasters over the last few years, so residents here are well acquainted with the importance of preparedness. Having a go bag ready, keeping your phone charged and gas in your car during fire season, and taking preventative measures can make the difference between keeping safe or having a terrible outcome,” said Dr. Pace.
Masks are required, even if everyone in your vehicle is from the same household.
“The fairground is taking special precautions to keep everyone safe this year,” said Dr. Pace. “Wearing masks, keeping outside, social distancing and preventing groups of people from gathering are all important parts of preventing transmission of the virus. Also, people that have symptoms like a cough or fever should not attend this event.”
If you have questions prior to the event, or to volunteer, call the hospital at 707-262-5121 during normal business hours.
The drive-thru event will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at the racetrack at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 401 Martin St. in Lakeport.
Sutter Lakeside Hospital and local agency partners are hosting this drive-thru community event at the racetrack so you and your family can safely receive a flu shot while staying in your car. Additional giveaways will be available while supplies last.
This year health officials said we will face a flu season like no other. As influenza and COVID-19 are different viruses, it is possible to contract both, simultaneously.
“Many doctors think that people with the flu may be more vulnerable to getting a severe COVID infection,” says Dr. Gary Pace, Lake County Public Health officer.
Sutter Lakeside will offer flu shots to the first 500 adults who drive-thru on the racetrack.
Additionally, attendees will receive oral health kits and can be trained on how to act fast if they witness someone overdose on narcotics.
Present in many prescription medications, narcotics are powerful pain relievers that a person might take for a legitimate medical reason. Unfortunately if too much is taken someone can overdose, which slows or stops their breathing.
You can save a life by knowing how to administer the antidote to a narcotic overdose. Antidote kits, which include the medication Narcan, will be provided to attendees who have received the training and could potentially witness a narcotic overdose.
Natural disasters like the current pandemic and recent wildfires are reminders that each of us needs to be as ready as we can be to take care of ourselves and our neighbors in an emergency.
This year attendees to the Health & Safety Fair will receive an emergency preparedness go bag while supplies last. Additionally, disaster preparedness education, covering tips to protect yourself, your family and your pets, will be provided.
“Lake County has endured multiple disasters over the last few years, so residents here are well acquainted with the importance of preparedness. Having a go bag ready, keeping your phone charged and gas in your car during fire season, and taking preventative measures can make the difference between keeping safe or having a terrible outcome,” said Dr. Pace.
Masks are required, even if everyone in your vehicle is from the same household.
“The fairground is taking special precautions to keep everyone safe this year,” said Dr. Pace. “Wearing masks, keeping outside, social distancing and preventing groups of people from gathering are all important parts of preventing transmission of the virus. Also, people that have symptoms like a cough or fever should not attend this event.”
If you have questions prior to the event, or to volunteer, call the hospital at 707-262-5121 during normal business hours.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Registrar of Voters Office reported that Oct. 19 is the last day to register to vote in the Nov. 3 presidential election.
New voters, new residents of Lake County and registered voters who have moved to a new address, changed their mailing address within the county, or changed their name need to register or reregister to vote no later than Oct. 19.
If you are a registered voter and your mailing address has changed, official voting materials – sample ballots, vote-by-mail ballots, etc. – cannot be forwarded to another address and will be returned to the Registrar of Voters Office by the postal service.
Residents may personally phone the registrar’s office to verify if their voter registration information is correct and up-to-date.
The Registrar of Voters Office urged those who need to register or reregister to vote not to delay.
A completed voter registration form must be either personally delivered to the Registrar of Voters Office on or before Oct. 19; postmarked on or before Oct. 19 and received by mail by the Registrar of Voters Office; or complete an online voter registration form on or before 11:59 p.m. Oct. 19.
Eligible Lake County residents who miss the voter registration deadline still have the option to vote in this election by conditionally registering to vote and casting a provisional ballot by personally visiting the Registrar of Voters Office located in Room 209 on the second floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St. in Lakeport, from Oct. 20 until prior to 8 p.m. on Election Day. They also may personally visit their polling place no later than the close of the polls (prior to 8 p.m.) on Election Day.
Residents may register to vote at the Lake County Registrar of Voters Office; phone staff at 707-263-2372 for a form to be mailed to them; register to vote online at http://registertovote.ca.gov/; or pick up registration forms, which also are available at most local post offices, libraries, city offices and chamber of commerce offices.
Please be aware that pursuant to Section 2101 of the California Elections Code: “A person entitled to register to vote shall be a United States citizen, a resident of California, not imprisoned or on parole for the conviction of a felony, and at least 18 years of age at the time of the next election.”
New voters, new residents of Lake County and registered voters who have moved to a new address, changed their mailing address within the county, or changed their name need to register or reregister to vote no later than Oct. 19.
If you are a registered voter and your mailing address has changed, official voting materials – sample ballots, vote-by-mail ballots, etc. – cannot be forwarded to another address and will be returned to the Registrar of Voters Office by the postal service.
Residents may personally phone the registrar’s office to verify if their voter registration information is correct and up-to-date.
The Registrar of Voters Office urged those who need to register or reregister to vote not to delay.
A completed voter registration form must be either personally delivered to the Registrar of Voters Office on or before Oct. 19; postmarked on or before Oct. 19 and received by mail by the Registrar of Voters Office; or complete an online voter registration form on or before 11:59 p.m. Oct. 19.
Eligible Lake County residents who miss the voter registration deadline still have the option to vote in this election by conditionally registering to vote and casting a provisional ballot by personally visiting the Registrar of Voters Office located in Room 209 on the second floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St. in Lakeport, from Oct. 20 until prior to 8 p.m. on Election Day. They also may personally visit their polling place no later than the close of the polls (prior to 8 p.m.) on Election Day.
Residents may register to vote at the Lake County Registrar of Voters Office; phone staff at 707-263-2372 for a form to be mailed to them; register to vote online at http://registertovote.ca.gov/; or pick up registration forms, which also are available at most local post offices, libraries, city offices and chamber of commerce offices.
Please be aware that pursuant to Section 2101 of the California Elections Code: “A person entitled to register to vote shall be a United States citizen, a resident of California, not imprisoned or on parole for the conviction of a felony, and at least 18 years of age at the time of the next election.”
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County’s Public Health officer reported on Monday a 12th COVID-19-related death in a county resident, and said the state also has held off on adding more local restrictions due to the virus caseload.
Dr. Gary Pace said that the latest COVID-19-related death occurred over the weekend.
“The person was over 65, and had been ill and hospitalized for a while,” he said.
Pace said this most recent death was not connected to an outbreak that has occurred at Lakeport Post Acute – which had led to several deaths – but he gave no other details about the case.
As of Monday evening, Lake County’s COVID-19 cases totaled 593, an increase of 12 since the last update on Friday, according to Lake County Public Health.
Of those 593 cases, 67 remain active and are under Public Health monitoring and 514 are recovered. Six currently are hospitalized.
In other COVID-19-related matters, Pace said that on Monday afternoon the county learned that the state will not move it into the purple tier, the most restrictive in its Blueprint for a Safer Economy, on Tuesday as had been expected.
“The formula used to determine tier placement for counties with populations less than 100,000 is being altered, and the new calculation will allow us to stay in the red tier, so no changes are required for local businesses or activities,” said Pace.
The state is expected to release more details on its new framework on Tuesday, Pace said.
However, based on information he’s received from the state so far, Pace said that in the new framework, if Lake County has less than an average of six new cases per day – or 42 in a week – it can stay in the red tier. For the week of Sept. 20 to 26, Pace said Lake County had 39 new cases.
He said Lake County’s new case rate peaked a few weeks ago, due in part to the nursing facility outbreak, and also due to some community spread. “The number of new cases has been decreasing since then, but precautions remain essential,” he said.
Pace said Lake County has consistently been near the line dividing the red and purple tiers for a few months now.
“COVID-19 is present in our communities, and Lake County residents must be careful. It is wildfire season, and evacuations requiring sheltering with other families increase the risk of spread,” he said.
He said people working in high-risk settings, first responders, staff in nursing homes, in-home care providers, teachers and childcare workers need to be especially careful when out in the community, adding they should definitely wear masks while at work.
“Small outbreaks can have big consequences,” Pace said. “Keeping businesses open, and maintaining local control, requires that we all continue to do our part.”
Email Elizabeth Larson atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
Dr. Gary Pace said that the latest COVID-19-related death occurred over the weekend.
“The person was over 65, and had been ill and hospitalized for a while,” he said.
Pace said this most recent death was not connected to an outbreak that has occurred at Lakeport Post Acute – which had led to several deaths – but he gave no other details about the case.
As of Monday evening, Lake County’s COVID-19 cases totaled 593, an increase of 12 since the last update on Friday, according to Lake County Public Health.
Of those 593 cases, 67 remain active and are under Public Health monitoring and 514 are recovered. Six currently are hospitalized.
In other COVID-19-related matters, Pace said that on Monday afternoon the county learned that the state will not move it into the purple tier, the most restrictive in its Blueprint for a Safer Economy, on Tuesday as had been expected.
“The formula used to determine tier placement for counties with populations less than 100,000 is being altered, and the new calculation will allow us to stay in the red tier, so no changes are required for local businesses or activities,” said Pace.
The state is expected to release more details on its new framework on Tuesday, Pace said.
However, based on information he’s received from the state so far, Pace said that in the new framework, if Lake County has less than an average of six new cases per day – or 42 in a week – it can stay in the red tier. For the week of Sept. 20 to 26, Pace said Lake County had 39 new cases.
He said Lake County’s new case rate peaked a few weeks ago, due in part to the nursing facility outbreak, and also due to some community spread. “The number of new cases has been decreasing since then, but precautions remain essential,” he said.
Pace said Lake County has consistently been near the line dividing the red and purple tiers for a few months now.
“COVID-19 is present in our communities, and Lake County residents must be careful. It is wildfire season, and evacuations requiring sheltering with other families increase the risk of spread,” he said.
He said people working in high-risk settings, first responders, staff in nursing homes, in-home care providers, teachers and childcare workers need to be especially careful when out in the community, adding they should definitely wear masks while at work.
“Small outbreaks can have big consequences,” Pace said. “Keeping businesses open, and maintaining local control, requires that we all continue to do our part.”
Email Elizabeth Larson at