photo credit: Courtesy of Sonoma County
Dr. Tanya Phares, Sonoma County's health officer since Nov. 2023.

President Joe Biden continues to recover after contracting COVID-19. So how are COVID numbers locally? KRCB News checked in with our local health department.

Sonoma County Health Officer, Dr. Tanya Phares said people are still dying from the virus.

"In Sonoma, we've had 39 COVID deaths in 2024, 15 in the past two months," Phares said in an interview July 18. "We've had 67 people hospitalized in June with COVID compared to 26 in May, but that's underreported."

In May, the Centers for Disease Control changed how numbers are reported and now only about half of hospitals are reporting cases and deaths. 

Less reporting and less testing show lower case numbers on the Sonoma County COVID dashboard, but cases are still rising.

Testing from Laguna, Ellis Creek and Windsor’s water recycling facilities have also detected an increase in the COVID-19 virus this summer. 

Dr. Phares said it's important for people to get vaccinated, and not just for COVID

"Our vaccine rates for COVID are about 23 percent in Sonoma County," Phares said. "It's time to start thinking about fall vaccines--flu, COVID, RSV and scheduling with your primary care provider to get updated for the next season."

Phares said those who have tested positive or have symptoms should isolate and get medical help, like a prescription for Paxlovid, if needed.