The Northern Inyo Hospital held a “presser” with local news media on Wednesday, May 26, to discuss some of the changes coming about with Inyo County moving into the Yellow, Least Restrictive Tier of the Blueprint for a Safe Economy and the rescission of the local county Public Health Officer’s health order on wearing facemask.

The healthcare district reported that it is seeing more adolescents taking the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine and the youngest so far was a 13. (The Pfizer vaccine is the only one approved so far for adolescents as young as 12 years-of-age.) A recent report showed that many youths are more than willing to get the vaccine as they want to return to in-person instruction at school, be with their classmates and participate in sports activities. And the parents? They frankly admitted that they want their kids back in school ASAP!

With large numbers of visitors expected to be in the area, the usual assortment of scrapes, cuts, broke bones, heat emergencies, other injuries and sudden illnesses are anticipated and Northen Inyo Hospital is ready to help.

Dr. Stacey Brown, Medical Director of The Rural Health Clinic

Dr. Stacey Brown, Medical Director of The Rural Health Clinic said, “The district is ready, willing and able to handle whatever is thrown at us as far as the usual traumas from minor to major injuries and illnesses, to any COVID-related emergencies.”

NIHD wants to see as many people vaccinated as possible, says Dr. Brown, so “herd immunity” takes firm hold. He noted that Inyo County reports around 70% of the eligible population has been vaccinated with at least one dose of the vaccine and 60% with both doses. He’s pretty optimistic at how well things have been going.

Brown said that, to ease patients’ concerns, when patients visit the hospital, “The staff will soon be wearing little orange stickers on their identification badges that say ‘COVID vaccinated.’ Our hope is that it will reinforce to patients that our hospital is a safe place to be and to seek medical assistance.

For now, keep a mask with you at all times and wear it when appropriate to do so.

For your own safety and that of others, Dr. Brown suggests continuing to wear face coverings until we’re a little further down the road on the recovery. While the county has rescinded the public health officer’s order on face masks in the county, the state guidelines remain in effect. The COVID-19 pandemic is still around and a great deal is still unknown about the virus, the variants, and about re-infection of those vaccinated or who have already had the virus. Be safe, not sorry!

NIHD has consistently been at the forefront of the battle against the Coronavirus, holding “pressers” throughout the 15 months of the pandemic to help the local news media stay on top of the latest news and treatments, and combat the misinformation that was being put out by others. They were well-prepared from the beginning and have been great partners with local news media in keeping the public informed.

Remember, if you need to see a doctor for an injury or illness, please call Northern Inyo Hospital at (760) 873-5811. If it is a life-threatening emergency, injury or illness, call 9-1-1 immediately!