BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — The number of positive tests for the coronavirus in Kern County has topped 80,000. The health department's website now showing another 946 cases pushing the overall number to 80,674. There are two more deaths attributed to the virus bringing that total to 544.
Another 422 people are reportedly hospitalized with nearly 45,000 isolating at home.
Kern County and the San Joaquin Region remain under the state's stay at home order with ICU capacity still at zero percent. This as more facilities are joining in the distribution of the vaccine.
Meanwhile, the covid vaccine rollout has been slower than expected. The CDC reports just 35 percent of the 25 million vaccines shipped across the country have been administered.
Now mega-sites are popping up to help speed up the process as federal officials release updated guidelines for the distribution.
From Phoenix to Miami, Los Angeles to New York, iconic American landmarks turning into mass vaccination sites.
Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles expected to vaccinate thousands every day. New York City with 5 new vaccination centers. Still many across the country getting turned away.
According to the CDC, more than 25 million doses of the vaccine have been distributed but so far only about 9 million people have been vaccinated.
The federal government will now release all vaccine doses rather than holding second doses back. The administration is also now recommending states vaccinate those 65 and older and anyone with a co-morbidity. This as U.S. hospitals are overwhelmed with an influx of patients.
Health experts are warning the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol last week could become a super spreader event. Representative Brad Schneider of Illinois is now the third Congressmember to test positive for COVID-19 after he says he was locked down with unmasked lawmakers for several hours.
Seattle Representative Pramila Jayapal said she also contracted the virus.
