How's Your Health?

RIDGECREST REGIONAL HOSPITAL — “Now that the COVID crisis seems to be subsiding, it is time to check in on your overall health,” reminded Brenda Diel, quality administrator of RRH.

With COVID transmission continuing to trend downward, RRH shifted from a weekly to a bi-weekly reporting of statistics. During the previous two weeks, only 22 COVID cases were identified by RRH, resulting in a positivity rate of 5.3 percent.

“This is very encouraging to see,” she said. “And as our COVID numbers decline, we are seeing similar declines in our COVID-related admissions as well.”

Now that hospital capacities are returning to normal, this is a great time to for individuals to make sure their underlying or chronic health concerns are being addressed. Diel encouraged anyone who is able to contact their primary care providers to help determine whether their health needs attention.

In February, state restrictions for mandatory masking for most activities were relaxed. This week, mask mandates shifted from “mandatory” to “highly recommended” in schools. Guidance from the California Department of Public Health also still requires masks in healthcare facilities.

“After two years, everyone is looking forward to a return to more normal operations,” said Diel. “But in order to keep this downward trend in transmissions, it will be important for people to continue sensible precautions against COVID.”

She encouraged all those eligible to get the vaccine and booster. She also noted that masking and distancing are still recommended for operations with a high risk of transmission. “The demands associated with COVID surges are overwhelming and exhausting for everyone, but we can avoid them by limiting our risk.”