Orange County receives the first shipment of COVID-19 vaccine and makes the first dose

It’s the light at the end of the tunnel, which was a difficult year — the first dose Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Arrived at Orange County.

On Wednesday, five staff members were selected from Orange Providence St. Joseph Hospital and were first vaccinated in Orange County by Pfizer-BioNTech. Jeremy Zock, chief executive officer of St. Joseph’s Hospital in Orange, said the dose arrived just hours before the joint press conference at the hospital.

Each vaccination was streamed live and greeted with applause.

“It was a long way. [of people] We have worked really hard to get us to this point. [We’re] Eric Wechsler, Chief Executive Officer of Providence’s Southern California region, said: I am very grateful to Pfizer and soon for Modana. “Soon, we will protect all caregivers in the community and eradicate this horrific pandemic.”

In addition to hospital staff, Orange County oversight committees Don Wagner and Doug Chafy and Dr. Clayton Chau, director and public health officer of Orange County Healthcare Agency, attended.

“On March 25, our county announced the death of the first COVID. Today, less than nine months after that tragic day, we will be vaccinated,” Wagner said. Told. “Not only is the COVID vaccine imminent, but we are waiting for it to be distributed in this room’s sub-zero storage facility. We are ready to take the next step in response to this pandemic.”

Chafy described Wednesday as “a momentary day for all citizens of Orange County,” urging residents to continue to wear masks, increase social distance and wash their hands. Chaffee added that it will take some time for all citizens to be vaccinated.

Son Lee on the left was vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at a press conference on Wednesday. Lee works in a nursing unit for general surgery patients.

(Screenshot by Lilly Nguyen)

Chow also told the inhabitants [their] “Guard down” and continue best practices to control the spread of the virus.

“Most importantly, we’re celebrating the winter holidays and the New Year, so don’t mix or gather households. Again,” Chau says. “It’s very important, as you know that our numbers in our countries, states and counties are very high. Today we celebrate a wonderful milestone and celebrate its importance. It cannot be exaggerated. “

Michael Roman, a nurse at Providence St. Joseph Hospital, was the first nurse to be vaccinated at a press conference.

Dr. Paul Sheikwitz, who worked at the Emergency Medical Center and was vaccinated on Wednesday, said the biggest challenge was the number of patients and the number of staff who could take care of incoming patients. Said.

“Providence St. Joseph has done a great job trying to push our capabilities to the limit. We’re probably reaching that limit now, but we’re doing our best,” said Sheikwitz. I am. “This is also a challenge between individual healthcare professionals and employees. The challenge is not to get sick.”

“It was very dangerous,” Sheikewitz added. “I am using [personal protective equipment].. We’re always in the room, but frankly, it’s a miracle that very few people get it. So I am very grateful to have this vaccine available today. ”

Hospitals around Orange County, such as Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach, UCI Medical Center in Orange, Mission Hospital in Laguna Beach, and Mission Viejo, have been vaccinated or received this week.

Hoag Memorial Hospital staff are carrying out Presbyterian transport of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday at Newport Beach.

(Provided by Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian)

The state has previously allocated approximately 327,000 doses, with at least 1 million COVID-19 vaccines by the end of the month between the additional 393,900 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and 672,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine. It is expected.if that’s it Get US approval As I expected.

Vaccines are about to grow to thousands, and Orange County health officials move to Fountain Valley Regional Hospital, St. Jude Medical Center, and UCI Medical Center on Tuesday as hospitals are overwhelmed by patients. Announced that it will deploy a Shikino War Hospital.

On Wednesday, the Orange County Healthcare Agency reported 3,231 new cases and 23 deaths. The total number of cases in the county is currently 111,168. There are 1,486 hospitalizations in community hospitals and 319 in the intensive care unit.

According to the data, only 9.5% of ICU adult beds are available.

An estimated 68,773 people have recovered.

The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine will be shipped within the Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian.

(Provided by Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian)

The latest cumulative coronavirus cases and COVID-19 deaths in some cities in Orange County are:

• Santa Ana: 21,983 cases; 347 dead
• Anaheim: 18,865 cases; 368 deaths
• Huntington Beach: 4,515; 94 dead
• Costa Mesa: 3,666; 49 dead
• Irvine: 4,008; 18 dead
• Newport Beach: 1,781; 28 dead
• Fountain Valley: 1,369; 23 dead
• Laguna Beach: 407; less than 5 deaths

The number of cases by age group followed by the number of deaths is as follows.

• 0 to 17: 10,113; 1 death
• 18-24: 15,987 cases. 4 deaths
• 25-34: 23,384 cases; 24 deaths
• 35-44: 17,594 cases; 42 deaths
• 45-54: 17,903 cases; 127 deaths
• 55 to 64: 13,445 cases; 237 deaths
• 65-74: 6,785 cases; 334 deaths
• 75-84: 3,460 cases; 378 deaths
• 85 years and over: 2,433 cases. 571 people died

Updated numbers are posted daily occovid19.ochealthinfo.com/coronavirus-in-oc.. For information on how to take the test, please visit: occovid19.ochealthinfo.com/covid-19-testing..

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