COVID-19 vaccination reservations opening up for those 70 and over but sign-ups not available yet

Stock image. | Photo by Choreograph/iStock/Getty Images Plus, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — After being open to only medical workers, first responders, K-12 school staffs and those in long-term care facilities, the first members of the general public in Southern Utah will be able to get the COVID-19 vaccine next week.

Photo illustration. | Photo by Ridofranz, iStock/Getty Images Plus, St. George News

Reservations will become available Monday for anyone in Southern Utah ages 70 or above to receive the vaccine. Those reservations will be for clinics starting next Tuesday at local health department offices.

Southwest Utah Public Health Department spokesperson David Heaton told St. George News that as those in the ages 70 and over group will be the largest to be vaccinated thus far, it will take weeks to handle all of those who want to be vaccinated.

“We’re asking those signing up to be patient and to continue to try back every couple of days if slots are filled since it will likely take several weeks to schedule the 70-plus age group,” Heaton said.

Even if they were available now, the entire Southwest Utah Public Health Department main vaccination page has been down all Wednesday.

“The website is having unexpected maintenance issues,” Heaton said.

Other vaccine sign-up pages remain up, including clinics next week for school staff members only. As of Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., there were no reservation slots remaining at the St. George K-12 clinic, but additional school clinics have opened up in Cedar City and Beaver for next week.

There are also some slots still open for the vaccination clinic in St. George on Thursday for non-hospital medical workers, first responders and K-12 school staff.

Last Friday Gov. Spencer Cox ordered that vaccines be made available for those 70 and over on Monday, while also ordering local health departments to use vaccine supplies they receive within a week.

Dr. David Blodgett, director of the Southwest Utah Public Health Department, told St. George News Tuesday that the department expects to use up its supply of vaccine by this Thursday and expects to do the same in subsequent weeks.

Those having surgeries sent home because of no room at hospital

St. George News has learned that people who have gone in for surgeries this week at St. George Regional Hospital have had to recuperate at home because there are no rooms available for them at the hospital.

A view inside one of the rooms in the intensive care unit inside Dixie Regional Medical Center as a nurse in COVID-19 protective gear treats a patient. December 2020, St. George, Utah. | Photo courtesy off Intermountain Healthcare, St. George News

Since last week, the number of local residents being hospitalized for COVID-19 has stayed steady at an all-time high and, according to the Southwest Utah Public Health Department, was at 70 on Wednesday – split between St. George Regional and Cedar City Hospital.

Also on Wednesday, the Utah Department of Health added 10 COVID-19 deaths for Southern Utah. However, the health department said some of the deaths occurred before Dec. 23 because of extended investigations by the state medical examiner and are not indicative of a substantial death rate increase locally.

Even so, there are signs of hope for the weeks ahead as far as hospitalizations. Besides more of the most vulnerable starting to receive the vaccine, there are signs the post-holiday surge of new infections may have been short-lived as the daily case rate has gone down by half since Monday.

“The spike is going down,” Heaton said.

Getting the COVID-19 Vaccine

  • Those who can currently get the vaccine: K-12 teachers and staff, those that work in nonhospital health care facilities (those in clinics, pharmacies, dentists or other medical offices) and first responders, including law enforcement, firefighters and EMTs.
  • Those who can get the vaccine starting Jan. 18: Everyone ages 70 and over.
  • Must register in advance online for an appointment time. Walk-ins will not be accepted.
  • Must have a personal ID, employment ID and wear a short-sleeve shirt at appointment.
  • Vaccines through the Southwest Utah Public Health Department are free of charge.

Washington County:

Where: Southwest Utah Public Health Department St. George office, 620 S 400 East, 2nd Floor Conference Room, St. George, 84770.

When: Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. K-12 teachers and staff-only clinics Jan. 19, 20 and 21 from noon to 7 p.m.

Click to register

(All slots full) Register here for K-12 staff only clinics

Iron County:

Where: Southwest Utah Public Health Department Cedar City office, 260 DL Sargent Dr., Cedar City, 84721.

When: K-12 teachers and staff-only clinics Tuesday and Jan. 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Register here for K-12 staff only clinics

Kane County:

Where: Southwest Utah Public Health Department Kanab office, 445 N. Main St., Kanab 84741.

When: Jan. 20, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Click to register

Garfield County:

Where: Southwest Utah Public Health Department Panguitch office, 601 Center St. Panguitch 84759.

When: No dates scheduled currently

Beaver County:

Where: Southwest Utah Public Health Department Beaver Office,  75 1175 North, Beaver 84713.

When: K-12 teachers and staff-only clinic Tuesday 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Register here for K-12 staff only clinic

COVID-19 information resources

St. George News has made every effort to ensure the information in this story is accurate at the time it was written. However, as the situation and science surrounding the coronavirus continues to evolve, it’s possible that some data has changed.

Check the resources below for up-to-date information and resources.

Southern Utah coronavirus count (as of Jan. 13 2020, seven-day average in parentheses)

Positive COVID-19 tests: 21,977 (234.3 new infections per day in seven days, falling since Jan. 9)

County-by-county numbers are one day behind.

  • Washington County: 16,882 (165.3 per day, falling)
  • Iron County: 3,876 (55.7 per day, rising)
  • Kane County: 373 (3.6 per day, rising)
  • Garfield County: 374 (4.6 per day, falling)
  • Beaver County: 472 (5.1 per day, rising)

New infections for major Southern Utah cities (numbers released ahead of Southern Utah numbers):

  • Note: Today’s numbers are two-day totals
  • St. George: 199 (rising)
  • Washington City: 56 (rising)
  • Hurricane/LaVerkin: 40 (steady)
  • Ivins City/Santa Clara: 27 (steady)
  • Cedar City: 100 (falling)

Deaths: 172 (3.1 per day, rising)

  • Washington County: 131 (11 new since last report: Hospitalized female 25-44,  female over 85 at home, hospitalized female 45-64, hospitalized female 65-84, hospitalized male 45-64, hospitalized male 65-84, hospitalized male 65-84, hospitalized male over 85, female over 85 at home, long-term care male over 85, hospitalized female 65-84, hospitalized male over 85)
  • Iron County: 17 (2 new: Female 65-84 at home, long-term care male over 85)
  • Garfield County: 7 
  • Kane County: 2
  • Beaver County: 3 (1 new since last report: Hospitalized male 65-84)

Hospitalized: 70 (rising)

Active cases: 8,399 (falling)

Current Utah seven-day average: 2,840 (falling)

Vaccines distribution to Southern Utah data unavailable Wednesday

 

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2021, all rights reserved.

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