COVID-19 Testing and Why it is Important

We all want to see life return to what will become the "real normal" as California starts to reopen again. We can all be doing our part to help the state of California get up to date information and get a better understanding of how many people do or do not have the virus in the state of California and in San Bernardino County.

I have gone over the baselines needed for Encore to resume in person instruction in prior blog posts. Today I wanted to touch on the "adjusted case rate for tier assignment" that shows up on the Covid-19ca.gov website. The adjusted case rate for tier assignment is given to a county based on the amount of tests given within the county over the course of time. When more people take the test in a county, the case rate adjustment factor goes down.

For example, Los Angeles County:

When you compare the new COVID cases in Los Angeles County, they are much higher than the cases in San Bernardino County. However, their positivity rate is 4.3% where San Bernardino's positivity rate is 7.5%. This may seem like a miscalculation, but based on the amount of tests given in LA versus San Bernardino, it drives down their positivity rate.

In order for San Bernardino County to have the positivity rate go down, more people need to test in San Bernardino County. The more people that test that are not sick, the better the "Adusted case rate for tier assignment" will be.

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Encore would like to ask for the following help so we can get our students back in school as soon as possible:

1. Wear the face covering.

2. Social Distance.

3. Wash Your Hands Frequently.

4. Get Tested.

There are several free testing sites throughout the counties. In the high desert:

- Monday - Friday7AM - 7PM James A. Woody Community Center 13467 Navajo Rd., Apple Valley Testing Details (888)634-1123

-- Monday - Friday - 9AM - 3:30PM Victor Valley College

71 Mojave Fish Hatchery Rd., Victorville Testing Details (909)387-3911

- Monday - Friday - 9AM - 3:30PM Percy Bakker Center

9333 E Ave., Hesperia Testing Details (909)387-3911

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If you have any symptoms or are at risk, it’s especially important to stay home and avoid in-person contact with others.

Coronavirus symptoms include, but are not limited to:

• Fever or chills

• Cough

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

• Fatigue

• Muscle or body aches

• Headache

• New loss of taste or smell

• Sore throat

• Congestion or runny nose

• Nausea or vomiting

• Diarrhea

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.

You can check your symptoms using the Symptom Screener or by contacting your doctor through telehealth.

Some people are at higher risk to get very sick from COVID-19, including:

• People over 65 years old

• People of any age with certain underlying medical conditions:

  • Cancer

  • Chronic kidney disease

  • COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)

  • Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant

  • Obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30 or higher)

  • Serious heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies

  • Sickle cell disease

  • Type 2 diabetes mellitus

CDC identifies several other conditions which might increase risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

If you are at higher risk, you should take extra precautions to protect yourself: 

• Stay home. It’s the most important thing you can do.

• Avoid contact with people who are sick. Isolate anyone sick in your home in a separate room, if possible.

• Get food brought to your house through family, social, or commercial networks. Wipe off containers with disinfectant wipes.

• Listen to public health officials. They may recommend community actions to reduce exposure in times of local outbreak.

For more information, visit the CDC’s website.

Caregivers can find resources at the Department of Aging website, including guidelines to protect the health and safety of both you and your loved one from COVID-19.

Find the latest safety tips, trusted sources, and health terms to keep you and your loved ones informed during this public health emergency.

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I hope that this information is helpful. We are still watching the reports as if it is the snow day report and I will continue to bring you updates and observations as we have them. Thank you so much for keeping informed.

We are excited for a great year. Thank you for your ongoing support of youth arts and thank you for your ongoing support of Encore High School.

https://www.encorehighschool.com/blog

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Denise Griffin, CEO is the author of this blog for Encore Education Corporation. Part of Encore Education Corporation is Encore High School, a free public performing arts regional high school in Southern California grades 7 - 12. Encore's program is currently taking applications for the fall 2020 enrollment. Encore offers full time, hybrid time, and independent study programs. Encore offers transporation from the Inland Empire and the high desert. www.encorehighschool.com. Where arts and academics grow together. WASC Accredited. Copyright 2020.