Weekly Update - June 10, 2022 |
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Excessive heat is forecast for parts of the county lasting through Saturday. Stay safe and cool.
Even short periods of high temperatures can cause serious health problems. Know the symptoms of heat disorders and overexposure to the sun and be ready to give first aid treatment.
Call 911 if you or someone near you is having a health emergency.
See locations below in Contra Costa County to cool off. Call first to confirm hours and space availability.
San Ramon
San Ramon City Hall Rotonda, 7000 Bolinger Canyon Road, San Ramon (925) 973-2500
Open today, Friday, June 10, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Alcosta Senior & Community Center, 9300 Alcosta Boulevard, San Ramon (925) 973-3250
Open Friday, June 10, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
County Employment & Human Services (EHSD) Locations
EHSD will be offering three public lobbies as Places to Cool today, Friday, June 10, during regular business hours, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Brentwood 151 Sand Creek Road, Suite A
Richmond 1305 Macdonald Avenue
Pleasant Hill 400 Ellinwood Way
Water and light snacks will be available for community members. Per state and county health guidance for “Places to Cool,” all community members who step inside these designated EHSD locations must wear face coverings to help protect the health and safety of all visitors.
You can also go to locations in the Bay Area with cooler temperatures or other locations with air conditioning. If you plan to visit the beach, exercise caution as there may be riptides.
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Highly Contagious Subvariants Fuel a Surge in Cases in Contra Costa - Masking encouraged but not Required |
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We are experiencing one of the largest surges in cases of the pandemic, although hospitalizations remain relatively stable. While case data is incomplete because of widespread home testing, wastewater data suggests community infection rates are similar to the January 2021 wave (the second largest of the pandemic) when vaccines were not widely available.
Although Alameda County’s health officer is reinstating the indoor-masking mandate in that county, at this point, we continue to align with the state, and Contra Costa’s health officer is not planning to issue a new masking mandate.
Contra Costa County has had the highest testing positivity rate in the Bay Area. There could be many reasons why this is the case. One could that fewer people in Contra Costa are getting PCR tests than in other areas. Generally speaking, fewer tests result in higher positivity rates.
Hospitalizations continue to rise in Contra Costa (109 as of Thursday, June 9, but still well below the peaks seen during prior surges. At our peak on January 20, 2022. there were 333 people in hospitals in Contra Costa County. Alameda currently has 124 hospitalized COVID patients.
Staying up to date on vaccinations is the best protection against severe disease from COVID. The relatively low number of hospitalizations during this wave is likely a credit to the area’s high vaccination rate.
Although there is no mask mandate in place in Contra Costa County, health officials strongly recommend everyone wear a high-quality mask (N95/KN95 or snug-fitting surgical mask) in public indoor settings.
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Free Covid-19 Home Test Kits
Available for Pickup at our Danville Office
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We still have Covid-19 home test kits. If you have a need for tests, please come to our Danville office, 309 Diablo Road, Monday, Wednesday, or Thursday between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to pick up test kits. We are able to provide two test kits per family (four tests). They will be available as long as our supply lasts.
More reliable PCR testing continues to be available for free by appointment only at various County sites. More information about where to get tested can be found here: coronavirus.cchealth.org/get-tested.
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If you test positive for COVID-19 and are age 12 or older, free treatment may be available. Contact your healthcare provider right away to talk about treatment, or visit a test to treat location.
To improve local access to treatment, Contra Costa Health Plan recently opened its free advice nurse line (877-661-6230) to any county resident who tests positive for COVID regardless of insurance.
Advice nurses screen callers and schedule free telehealth appointments with a doctor who can prescribe medication (Paxlovid or Molnupiravir). From April 29 through May 31, 748 people with COVID calling the advice nurse line have been connected to a telehealth doctor for a medication consultation.
Don’t delay, even if your symptoms are mild right now – treatment must be started within the first few days to be effective.
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$3M Grant Will Fund New Fire Break In Lafayette |
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The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District announced Friday that it received a $3 million California Climate Investments Wildfire Prevention grant from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
The grant will be used to create a shaded fuel break across southern Lafayette and Walnut Creek, that will provide significant protection from wildfires for residents of Rossmoor and southern Lafayette.
The project is expected to begin in September and be completed in 2024. For more information, please click here.
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June 2022 is Elder & Dependent Adult Abuse Awareness Month |
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The Board of Supervisors proclaimed June 2022 as Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Awareness Month.
As our population lives longer, we are all presented with an opportunity to honor and protect our older and dependent adults and provide for them the security and protections they deserve.
Our elders and dependent adults deserve to be treated with respect and dignity that enables them to serve as leaders, mentors, volunteers, and vital participating members of our communities.
Read the full proclamation here. Learn more about our Adult and Aging Services in Contra Costa. here.
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Contra Costa County Community Warning System |
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The Community Warning System (CWS) can alert residents and businesses within Contra Costa County that are impacted by or are in danger of being impacted by an emergency.
The CWS message will include basic information about the incident and what specific protective actions (shelter in place, lockdown, evacuate, avoid the area, etc.) are necessary to protect life and health.
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Calling All Restaurants and Catering Companies!
Donate Surplus Food to White Pony Express
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Local restaurants and catering companies are invited to donate their surplus food to White Pony Express (WPE). They will distribute it upon receipt – free of charge – to dozens of nonprofit partners and school pantries that serve our hungry neighbors.
When you donate food to WPE, you help end food insecurity in our county and reduce the production of methane gas caused by rotting food in landfills.
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Wildfire Preparedness and Safety |
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Keep an eye out for wildfires and possible power interruptions. Knowing how to open your garage door manually, parking your car in the direction you wish to depart in, and evacuating when a safety order is issued are all helpful tips.
During the wildfire threat season, fire officials advise vigilance and prevention. Contra Costa County citizens can use a guide provided by Con Fire and the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office to assist prepare themselves, their families, and their neighbors in the event of a wildfire.
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Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, API Coalition and Discovery Counseling Center are pleased to announce their joint effort to put together a public information campaign to promote the national initiative to direct mental health emergency calls to 988. 988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
When people call 988, they will be connected to trained counselors who are part of the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network. These trained counselors will listen, understand how their problems are affecting them, provide support, and connect them to resources if necessary. 988 will go live in California on July 16, 2022.
Students are invited to create art that will inform and inspire young people to reach out for mental health resources and support by calling 988.
The contest winners will be announced on September 8th at 8:00AM (988)!
- First Prize: $500
- Second Prize: $200 (2 awards)
- Third Prize: $100 (3 awards)
Students can submit photographs of their art to us using the Online Submission Form by August 14, 2022.
Students! Submit Your Artwork
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Fun Run to Benefit Affordable Housing and Programs for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities |
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The Alameda County Fair presents the Sun’s OUT Fun’s OUT Fun Run on June 18 at 9AM in Pleasanton. The Fun Run is open to athletes of all abilities and benefits Sunflower Hill, a local non-profit dedicated to co-developing affordable housing and creating vibrant programs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Choose either the 5K or 1-Mile obstacle course and run or walk around the historic horse racing track and through the Fair with fun stops along the way! Register by June 15 and Fair admission is included for June 18! Click here to register.
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Contra Costa County is Conducting a Feasibility Study |
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As part of our climate action work, Contra Costa County is conducting a feasibility study – Healthy Lands, Healthy People – to identify strategies we can use to store carbon dioxide throughout our county. Here’s how you can help:
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Give us feedback on climate-smart agriculture practices in our community by taking a survey. We want to learn from crop producers, rangeland managers, urban farmers, land stewards, and gardeners about your current practices, practices that you wish to adopt, and the obstacles that are limiting you from reaching those goals. You can fill out the survey using this link.
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Come to a focus group! You can register here.
Wednesday June 15, 6:30-8:00 pm
Our Savior Lutheran Church
Oakview 1 Room in Creekside Commons
1035 Carol Lane, Lafayette, CA 94549
Focus: Faith-based farms & landscapes
Wednesday, June 22, 6-7:30 pm
Online Zoom Meeting
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511 Contra Costa Summertime Programs |
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Summer Bike Challenge
Looking for FREE summertime fun? Explore your hometown on two wheels with 511 Contra Costa’s Summer Bike Challenge. Simply bike to each destination on your city’s gameboard, and cross off the squares as you go. Pick up free prizes on select dates, take weekly Bonus Challenges, and enter the iPad Grand Prize drawing just by signing up. All ages are welcome to play! Ready to roll? Visit 511cc.org/sbc to get started.
Summer Youth Pass
The Summer Youth Pass is a three-month bus pass that gives kids a great way to get around town, all summer long. For just $30, passholders ages 6-18 can take unlimited bus rides on County Connection, Tri Delta Transit, and WestCAT from June through August. On sale now at 511cc.org/youthpass
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Family and Children's Trust Committee - Looking for
New Members
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In 1985, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors established The Family and Children’s Trust Committee (FACT). The FACT works to make funding recommendations on the allocation of specific funds for the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect. The group also works to provide supportive services for families and children.
Funding for FACT supported projects comes from federal and state program legislation, as well as donations to the County’s Family and Children’s Trust Fund. Every three years, FACT committee members establish a series of county priorities for their funding. To do this, the group reviews data and holds public hearings throughout the county. The Committee then develops a competitive bidding process to select non-profit and/or community-based agencies to best provide the services determined to be the most important.
Currently, FACT is seeking applicants for seven committee seats including:
- Three At-Large Community Representative Seats
- Three Discipline Specific Seats – Education/School Representative, Child Development/Early Childhood Education and Mental Health
- One District Seat – District I
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District 2 Volunteer Opportunities |
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Now is a great time to consider ways you might want to give back to your community. If you are interested in participating in government, then perhaps one of these volunteer opportunities is of interest to you:
Alamo Police Services Advisory Committee (CSA P-2B/APSAC)
To advise the Board of Supervisors and the Sheriff's Department on the needs of the Alamo/Danville community for police services.
2 Alternate Seats
Closing Date: Open Until Filled
To advise the Board of Supervisors and the Sheriff's Department on the needs of the Alamo community for police services.
Alamo Municipal Advisory Committee (MAC)
Alternate Seat & Youth Representative Seat
To advise on issues and concerns related to services provided by the County or other local agencies located within Alamo, which includes parks & recreation, lighting & landscaping, land use, code enforcement, public safety, and transportation.
The Youth Representative should be a student interested in their community, who wants to learn about government and how it works. The youth will also be encouraged to contribute to conversations and decisions being made by the Alamo MAC.
County Service Area P-5 Citizen Advisory Committee (Roundhill Residents only. One alternate seat available)
The P-5 Committee advises the Board of Supervisors on the needs of the Alamo community for extended police services for Roundhill.
The primary purpose of the Commission is to serve in an advisory capacity to the Board of Supervisors and to the Mental Health Division and its staff. Mission Statement: To influence the County's Mental Health System to ensure the delivery of quality services which are effective, efficient, culturally relevant and responsive to the needs and desires of the clients it serves with dignity and respect; and to be the advocate with the Board of Supervisors, the Mental Health Division, and the community on behalf of all Contra Costa County residents who are in need of mental health services.
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