Coronavirus Update - May 15, 2020
What's New This Week?
|
|
Numbers in Contra Costa County
Total Cases, Deaths
|
|
County Health Services COVID-19 Call Center: 844-729-8410 between 8AM - 5PM
|
|
Updated Dashboard Now Includes Recovered Cases
|
|
The Contra Costa County Covid-19 website now includes the number of recovered cases on it's overview dashboard. The recovered cases take into consideration the date of the symptom onset or the test date where it was 14 days prior. To read about the recovered cases and other important information, you can go to
coronavirus.cchealth.dashboard
|
|
Contra Costa to Allow Vehicle-Based Gatherings
|
|
A new Health Order issued today allows for outdoor gatherings during which participants stay in their vehicles. Organizers and participants must follow the instructions outlined in the Order.
The new Order, which takes effect May 19, provides new options for religious organizations that have been unable to hold services since COVID-19 began spreading in the County, and for schools planning graduation ceremonies.
We have made a lot of progress this spring, but COVID-19 is still circulating in our community. We are carefully tracking data related to infections and hospitalization to determine when and how to gradually ease social restrictions in the health orders. The evidence suggests that the shelter-at-home order and other social distancing measures that we have undertaken as a community are helping to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our area. We must remain cautious, but I believe the time has come for some controlled community gatherings.
Gatherings permitted by the new order would take place in large, outdoor areas such as parking lots for three hours or less. Except for the host and staff running the gathering, participants would attend in enclosed vehicles – no motorcycles – with only members of the same household in each vehicle.
Each gathering must have a designated host, permission from the property owner and a written plan to ensure physical distancing and other safety requirements are followed. For gatherings larger than 10 vehicles, the host is required to provide security for traffic and safety purposes.
The order includes guidance for allowing participants to use on-site restrooms and transfer of items such as diplomas. Sale of food or concessions is not permitted, and attendees must wear face coverings if they roll down the windows.
Visit
cchealth.org/coronavirus
to read the order, which includes the details of the required gathering plan, and for COVID-19 health information and updates for Contra Costa County.
|
|
When will More Retail Businesses Open in Contra Costa?
|
|
Monday, May 18, we may see more changes to our County Health Order. If the number of new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations remain stable over the weekend, our Health Officer has indicated that on Monday he will consider further loosening of restrictions and have our County move to the Governor’s early Phase 2 of re-opening all retail businesses for curbside pick-up and allowing their supporting manufacturing and warehousing.
Because we opened up many new activities on May 4, including all types of construction, outside businesses and workers, and a wide variety of recreational activities, our Health Officer wanted to make sure that we did not see a surge in new cases before implementing additional changes. Given the lengthy infectious period of this virus, it takes at least two weeks to see any impact.
Businesses are encouraged to prepare to re-open. The County will be following State Guidelines for various segments of our economy. Guidelines specific to the reopening of retail businesses can be found
here
.
General guidelines for reopening other sectors can be found
here
.
|
|
Indicators for Assessing Progress on Covid-19
|
|
The County is using five indicators and you can track the progress on them at the Contra Costa Health Services
indicators-dashboard
.
They are based on our current understanding of the virus, our assessment of what goals are achievable in the coming weeks and months, and current tools to mitigate and contain the virus. We will be continuously assessing these Indicators as circumstances change.
|
|
Sign Up to Get Tested at CCHS Locations, or
Three New State-run Sites
|
|
Contra Costa County will now offer an appointment for COVID-19 testing to any resident who believes they need one, regardless of insurance, ability to pay or whether they have symptoms or not. Call
1-844-421-0804
from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily for an appointment at any Contra Costa site.
All CCHS-run sites offer drive-through testing by appointment only. These sites are located in Antioch, Concord, Martinez, Pittsburg, San Pablo and San Ramon. Patients must visit these sites in their vehicles, as testing is done in the car.
Three new
state-run sites
have also recently opened in Brentwood, Pinole and Walnut Creek, accepting walk-in patients by appointment only. Appointments can be made by calling
1-844-421-0804
.
There is no up-front cost for testing. County residents do not need medical insurance to get tested. However, if you have health insurance, your insurance will be billed.
Visit
get-tested
for details about community testing, including site locations.
|
|
Tax Collector's Office Open by Appointment
|
|
Beginning Monday, May 18, 2020, the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office will allow for public visits by appointment only. To request an appointment you will need to either call (925) 957-5280 during regular call center hours of 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday,
except on holidays,
or email the office at
taxinfo@tax.cccounty.us
. Appointments will be set at 15-minute intervals in order to maintain social distancing.
They will need to know the purpose of your visit in order to schedule the appointment and whether or not you will need ADA accommodations. A maximum of two people of the same household is allowed at a time. Before arranging the appointment, they recommend you visit their website
www.cctax.us
for a wide range of helpful online services and information.
|
|
Alamo Summer Concerts and Movies Cancelled for This Year
|
|
Due to the County Health Department’s current Covid-19 Shelter in Place Order, and the Governor’s expectation that residents of California will not be allowed to gather in large groups for the foreseeable future, the County is canceling the annual Alamo summer concert and movie series at Livorna Park this year.
The concert and movie dates were scheduled for the months of June 2020 and July 2020. County staff will be monitoring the Covid-19 Shelter in Place Order and, if feasible, will work with the Alamo Municipal Advisory Council and Supervisor Andersen’s office to reschedule the events, if restrictions are lifted.
If you have any questions please contact Alamo Recreation Staff at 925.313.2272, or visit
Parks-and-Recreation
|
|
Veteran's Service Office is Available to Help Veterans and
Their Families Virtually
|
|
The Contra Costa County Veterans Service Office is now staffing a full-time virtual office. Veterans Service Representatives are available Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. To connect with the virtual office, click on
CVSO Virtual Office.
Or connect to the virtual office by phone at (669) 900-9128. Meeting ID: 979 2501 6051. Password: 028993.
The Veterans Service team is standing by ready to serve Veterans and their families. If you’d like to check out the new virtual office, just pop in anytime and they can show you around. For more information about veterans services, visit their website at
contracosta.ca.gov/1557/Veterans-Service-Office.
|
|
COVID-19 Contact Tracers Wanted
|
|
Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) is aggressively expanding its capacity to do contact-tracing investigations to limit the spread of COVID-19 in our community. Having sufficient contact tracing is one the County’s
five indicators
for relaxing the current shelter-in-place rules.
CCHS is hiring dozens of “disease intervention technicians” to do contact tracing investigations, and additional positions needed to support the effort of case and contact tracing. These people will be hired on a project basis and their employment will end once the project ends. Volunteers are also welcome to join the effort.
What is Contact Tracing?
Contact tracing has long been a critical tool for controlling and interrupting the spread of serious communicable diseases, such as measles and tuberculosis. It involves disease detectives who investigate the people a sick person has had close contact with while infectious. Those close contacts are then placed under quarantine in order to stop the disease from spreading further.
|
|
Great Plates Delivered Program - Home Meals for Seniors
|
|
On April 24, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the launch of a first-in-the-nation “Great Plates Delivered” program, a meal delivery service for California’s older adults.
Great Plates Delivered has two purposes:
- Help seniors and other adults at high risk from COVID-19 to stay home and stay healthy by delivering three nutritious meals a day, and
- Provide essential economic stimulus to local businesses struggling to stay afloat during the COVID-19 crisis.
|
|
County Urges Schools to Host Virtual Online
Graduation Celebrations
|
|
As the end of the school-year approaches, health officials in Contra Costa County are urging schools to host virtual graduation ceremonies online instead of in-person celebrations in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
|
|
Orinda Cares: Sponsor a Test for Our Most Vulnerable Seniors
|
|
East Bay Municipal Utility District Advisory for Restarting Water Use After Shutdowns
|
|
Governor Newsom Issues Executive Order to Mail Every Registered Voter a Ballot for the November General Election
|
|
Recognizing the threat COVID-19 continues to pose to public health, Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order to ensure that Californians can exercise their right to vote in a safe and accessible manner during the General Election this November. The order requires that each county’s elections officials send vote-by-mail ballots for the November 3, 2020 General Election to all registered voters.
|
|
Supervisor Andersen Participates in Walnut Creek
Restaurant Recovery Town Hall
|
|
Supervisor Andersen shared the latest Covid-19 updates and introduced Dr. Radhakrishna of Contra Costa Health Services at the May 13th virtual Town Hall meeting.
(The Doctor is the sideways one in the photo).
|
|
District 2 Volunteer Opportunities Available
|
|
Although, during these COVID-19 times, many of our advisory bodies are not meeting, some have been meeting virtually and more are starting to come on board with virtual meetings with each passing week. The benefit of these meeting platforms is that more people are able to participate than ever before.
If you are interested in participating in government, then perhaps one of these volunteer opportunities are of interest to you:
To advise on issues and concerns related to services provided by the County or other local agencies located within its boundary, which includes parks & recreation, lighting & landscaping, land use, code enforcement, public safety, and transportation.
Alamo Police Services Advisory Committee (CSA P-2B)
To advise the Board of Supervisors and the Sheriff's Department on the needs of the Alamo/Danville community for police services.
To advise the Board of Supervisors in collaboration with the
Alcohol and Other Drugs Services
, providing input and recommendations as they pertain to alcohol and other drugs prevention, intervention, and treatment services.
Established to decide disputes between property owners and the Assessor's Office. Disputes are heard by the Assessment Appeals Board, which is composed of members appointed by the Board of Supervisors.
County Service Area P-5 Citizen Advisory Committee (Roundhill Residents only)
To advise the Board of Supervisors on the needs of the Alamo community for extended police services for Roundhill.
To advise the Board of Supervisors and the Community Services Bureau for administration of the Community Services Block Grant.
The commission works to support early childhood development through a strategic plan developed pursuant to the California Children and Families First Act of 1998.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
