COVID-19 Testing
By appointment only
1-844-421-0804
Call 8 a.m. – 3:30 pm
7 days a week
If you have questions about the Coronavirus, contact the Multilingual Call Center 1-844-729-8410, open daily from 8 am to 5 pm (available in English and Spanish).
For assistance in multiple languages after hours, please call 211 or 800-833-2900 or text HOPE to 20121.
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PROTECT YOURSELF, PROTECT YOUR FAMILY & FRIENDS |
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Read and share these tips to Slow the Spread of COVID-19 |
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East Contra Costa Fire Protection District to Hold Town Halls |
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Note: You can find additional information about Zoom Meetings at the bottom of this newsletter.
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The Red Cross currently faces an urgent need for blood donations to prevent another blood shortage as hospitals resume surgical procedures and patient treatments that were temporarily paused earlier this spring in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- In recent weeks, hospital demand for blood products has grown by 30% after sharply declining in early April amid this rapidly changing and complex public health crisis.
- At the same time, blood drives continue to be canceled as many businesses and community organizations remain closed.
- There is no known end date in this fight against coronavirus, and the Red Cross urgently needs the help of donors and blood drive hosts to ensure blood products are readily available for patients.
- It’s important to remember that blood is perishable and cannot be stockpiled.
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Friendship Line for Seniors |
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As many older and at-risk Californians continue to stay home to minimize exposure to COVID-19, feelings of isolation and loneliness may be increasing.
To offer support, Institute on Aging and the California Department of Aging want to share with you all additional resources to bring awareness to the toll-free warm line, Friendship Line California.
As you may know Friendship Line California is both a crisis intervention hotline and a warmline for non-emergency emotional support calls connecting individuals to a friendly conversation 24/7.
Call 1-888-670-1360 now for an ear ready to listen and warm voice. You don't have to feel alone.
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CENSUS CLOCK IS TICKING – 57 DAYS TO COUNT ALL RESIDENTS |
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On Monday, the Census Bureau issued a statement confirming it “will end field data collection by September 30, 2020,” including the self-response options via their website and phone lines. This is an ENTIRE MONTH earlier than planned. While this schedule change is frustrating, it does not change our primary goal to count ALL residents living and breathing in Contra Costa County on April 1, 2020.
As of July 30, 72.3% of Contra Costa County has self-responded to the Census (California is at 64%), and we have officially surpassed our 2010 self-response rate of 72.1%. Find live self-response rates on the Census Bureau website here, and response rates broken down by cities and areas in Contra Costa County on our website here.
With more than a quarter of County residents uncounted, we stand to lose up to $6BN in critical funding over the next ten years. The Contra Costa County Census 2020 Complete Count Committee is committed to supporting our communities to get everyone counted by September 30, 2020. Working with partners, efforts will include direct Census assistance and outreach (adhering to COVID-19 health protocols) via existing food, school supply and other essential need distribution sites, including in partnership with CC Health testing locations, car caravans, Facebook Live events, active social media, direct mail, and phone banking.
The CoCo Census Outreach Toolkit with materials for your efforts has been updated and can be viewed and downloaded here. If you have questions or need additional tools to encourage your residents to be counted, please reach out to us. We are working closely with nonprofits and community leaders to get trusted messengers into our lowest self-response areas.
US Census Bureau begins Non-Response Follow-Up – August 11 to September 30, 2020. The US Census Bureau has hired thousands of people from local communities to go door-to-door to assist households who have not yet responded. These individuals are managed and deployed by the US Census Bureau (not Contra Costa County) and will be able to provide you with identification. We have been informed these enumerators speak many languages. Every Census taker takes a lifelong oath of confidentiality and can be fined or imprisoned for sharing anyone’s personal Census information.
It’s not too late to self-respond before the US Census Bureau begins their in-person non-response follow-up. People can self-respond online, by phone, or by mailing in their paper form.
NOT JUNK MAIL. The US Census Bureau just announced that it will be sending millions of people emails to remind them to respond to Census 2020. Here is what you need to know:
- The emails will go to ALL households where the Census Bureau has contact information in census block groups with a response rate lower than 50% - so some households which have already responded may also receive the email.
- Recipients have the option to opt out of receiving future messages.
- The Census Bureau is also considering sending text messages to areas that have low response.
Thank you for ramping up your efforts to “Get Out the Count!” It will take all of us to ensure a complete count!
As always stay safe and healthy!
In Partnership,
CoCo Census Team – Matt, Kristine, Barbara, and Teresa
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New County Clerk and Recording System Announced |
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The County Clerk-Recorder launched a new County Clerk and Recorder services system today at its downtown Martinez office. The new system includes a suite of digital applications that provide improved security, redundancy, and productivity tools.
The customized system features a “google-like” search tool for locating real property records, some dating back to the 1800s, and allows residents to purchase certified copies of vital records and real property documents remotely. We are pleased to offer streamlined online services for the public’s convenience and safety amid the current health crisis.
“We are excited to expand our technologies to provide these essential services to the constituents of Contra Costa”, said Debi Cooper, County Clerk-Recorder, after recording the first document in the new system.
“I am so proud of the staff, who worked long and hard to bring this project to fruition. This accomplishment takes on even more significance when coupled with the challenges of personal distancing and remote work due to the pandemic.”
After an extensive RFP process, the County selected Granicus, Inc. (Denver, CO) to customize and implement the system. The Granicus suite of services replaces the County’s 20-year old legacy system, which was no longer supported. The project is funded with dedicated Recorder Modernization funding, so no General Fund monies were used.
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Apply for the Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council |
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The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors is seeking applicants who may be interested in serving on its 19-member Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council (JJCC).
The JJCC is a multi-agency advisory body charged with creating and maintaining the County’s comprehensive Juvenile Probation Consolidated Annual Plan and coordinating county-based juvenile delinquency prevention initiatives. The state-mandated Juvenile Probation Consolidated Annual Plan is designed to improve services for Contra Costa County’s juvenile justice population by assessing existing practices and resources, identifying system needs and gaps, and prioritizing and recommending solutions. Read more...
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CCTA Call for a County Representative |
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The individual selected for this position must live in the unincorporated area of the County, be available to attend committee meetings on the 4th Wednesday of every month at 6:00 p.m., which are normally held at the CCTA offices, located at 2999 Oak Road, Suite 100, Walnut Creek, CA 94597, and have the ability to review CAC agenda packets and develop input on agenda items beforehand. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, meetings presently occur via videoconference.
The individual will serve a four-year term in a volunteer capacity and be eligible for reimbursement for travel expenses.
This includes transportation projects and programs funded by the county half-cent transportation sales tax (“Measure J”) which CCTA oversees.
CCTA maintains its standing CAC in order to provide citizen perspective, participation, and involvement in the Measure J-funded and voter-approved Transportation Expenditure Plan and Growth Management Program. The CAC members have an opportunity to learn about and influence transportation and growth issues within Contra Costa County and in other jurisdictions through scheduled presentation by transportation experts, advocates, and CCTA staff.
Should you have any questions, please call (925) 674-7822.
Interested individuals should apply by August 31, 2020.
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Countywide Guardrail Upgrade Project Continues |
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The Contra Costa County Public Works Department will begin the second phase of construction on the Countywide Guardrail Upgrade Project on Marsh Creek Road. Guardrail work is scheduled for the following locations:
Vasco Road: Construction began on Wednesday, July 15, 2020 and is anticipated to be completed by Friday, August 7, 2020. The work will occur Monday through Friday, 6:00 pm to 6:00 am, barring unforeseen circumstances. Work will take place between Walnut Boulevard and the Alameda County Line.
Marsh Creek Road: Construction is expected to begin on Monday, August 3, 2020. The work will occur Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 3:00 pm, barring unforeseen circumstances. Work will take place between the Clayton City limit and Camino Diablo.
San Pablo Dam Road: Construction is expected to begin in late-August, 2020. The work will occur Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. Work will take place between the Richmond City limit and Bear Creek Road.
Construction will be complete in mid-September 2020, barring unforeseen circumstances. Construction operations will be scheduled to minimize impacts to commute traffic. Drivers can expect delays up to 15 minutes during construction. Current social distancing protocol will be observed.
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County Agricultural Commissioner Instructs Residents Not to Open Unsolicited Seed Packs Originating from China |
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The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has recently become aware of a number of reports regarding unsolicited seeds from China being received by homeowners throughout the US, including Contra Costa County.
CDFA is communicating with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to determine any necessary actions for shipments received in California.
In the meantime, CDFA is instructing residents NOT to open any unsolicited seed packets received and to contact their local county agricultural commissioner’s office. Seed packets should NOT be opened, shipped, or disposed of by residents in order to prevent potential dispersal of invasive species, diseases, and/or quarantine pests. Unopened seed packets should be held by the resident or county official until further instructions are provided.
Please contact the Contra Costa Agricultural Commissioner's Office at (925) 608-6600 if you received seeds in the mail that you did not order or have questions. If you are in possession of any of these seed packets, we will arrange for an inspector to pick it up at your convenience. If seeds have already been planted, please retrieve the seeds and any contaminated soil for pickup by a county Agricultural inspector.
NOTE: Do not open seed packets. Do not plant unsolicited seeds.
Contact: Matt Slattengren,
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RCF Seeks Engagement Coordinator |
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Richmond Community Foundation’s goal is to create healthy, sustainable communities in Contra Costa County.
We believe in the Theory of Change, in which we identify a realistic long-term goal and consider what conditions need to be in place to reach it.
The majority of our long-term goals entail measuring and tackling social and economic challenges that local residents face.
RCF seeks an English/Spanish bilingual individual to join their team of two Community Engagement Coordinators supporting a program focused on East County.
You will find job information on the RCF Website:
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Chances are, if you're one of the millions of people currently working from home or taking classes online due to the coronavirus pandemic, you've quickly become familiar with the teleconferencing software.
Beyond being a productivity tool, Zoom has become a place where friends are organizing virtual get-togethers and where families are staying in touch as the coronavirus pandemic keeps us all separated and indoors.
Government entities are utilizing this technology more today which gives constituents an even easier way to participate.
For those new to Zoom, we have assembled some information to get you started:
- How to Download Zoom
- Zoom meeting cheat-sheet
- Zoom meeting Etiquette
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