As a public service, the BenitoLink team provides a frequent roundup of recent COVID-19 related data, resources and articles about San Benito County.
As of 4:19 p.m. on Jan. 11, 4,451 people in San Benito County have tested positive for the coronavirus since the first confirmed case in February 2020. Six hundred thirteen are active patients, 3,799 have recovered and 39 have died, with the latest deaths reported Jan. 11. The county’s current positivity rate is 15.4%. For the most updated information, visit the San Benito County COVID-19 Dashboard.
The San Joaquin Valley Region’s ICU availability is 0%. For more information on this and the regional stay-at-home order, visit the state webpage on COVID-19 restrictions.
Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital currently has no ICU beds available. Monterey County hospitals have a combined number of 32 ICU beds open and Santa Clara County hospitals have 37 with two of those beds in St. Louise Regional Hospital in Gilroy. For more information visit COVID-19 Hospitals Dashboard.
Recent Articles
San Benito Health Foundation Receives COVID-19 Vaccines—Dr. Cooperman was the first health worker to receive the Moderna vaccine at the San Benito Health Foundation Clinic, as frontline health care workers get priority.
LULAC youth councils remain active during the pandemic—While most activities have been virtual, members also coordinated in-person events such as graduations and food drives.
San Benito County closes its Board of Supervisors chambers to the public—Members of the public can still participate via the various Zoom platforms or live stream the meetings.
San Benito County to follow state tier system in administering COVID-19 Vaccines—County health officials urge residents to continue to social distance, avoid social gatherings and use face masks until vaccines are widely available.
Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital increases bed capacity and staffing during COVID-19 surge—COVID-19 patients account for approximately 62% of the hospital’s inpatient admissions.
Vaccinations
Phase 1A.
Currently being vaccinated:
Tier 1
- Acute Health Care Staff
- Assisted Living Staff and Residents
- EMTs/Paramedics
- Dialysis Center Staff
Tier 2
- Home Health and In-Home Supportive Care Staff
- Public Health
- Primary Care Staff
- FQHCs and Urgent Care Clinics
Tier 3 next in line for vaccination:
- Specialty Clinic Staff
- Laboratory Workers
- Dental and other Oral Health Clinics
- Pharmacy Staff not working in settings at higher tiers
- Mortuary Services Industry
The timeline for the next stages remains unclear as it depends on the number of vaccines the county receives each week. Statewide receipt of vaccines and therefore distribution has been unpredictable and uniform.
San Benito County is currently working with partners such as Walgreens so when the public-at-large is scheduled for inoculation Public Health has vaccines and venues available. There is no expected date yet. The public-at-large should also contact their health care providers for more information.
See above article for more vaccine information.
Community Vaccine Advisory Committee meetings can be viewed here.
California vaccine information can be found here.
California distribution recommendations can be seen here.
Essential workforce – Coronavirus COVID-19 Response (ca.gov)
Resources
The State has several hotlines for residents to call for suicide prevention, abuse, and mental health:
24-hour Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255 or text 838255
24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233 or click Chat Now
Call 911 if you or the person you are helping is in immediate danger.
The Division of Occupational Safety and Health, better known as Cal/OSHA, helps protect workers from health and safety hazards in almost every workplace in California.
Visit Cal/OSHA for information about workplace safety and health.
File a confidential workplace safety complaint.
File a whistleblower complaint if you suffer retaliation for reporting a workplace safety hazard
Obtain free consultation services from Cal/OSHA.
Contact Cal/OSHA at 844-522-6734.
State and federal elected officials’ COVID-19 web pages.
State of California: https://covid19.ca.gov/ https://covid19.ca.gov/es/
San Benito County Health and Human Services Agency/Coronavirus
Food Distribution Community Food Bank www.communityfoodbankofsbc.org
Drive-thru service at the marketplace Fridays and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 1133 San Felipe Rd. in Hollister. Sign-ups for supplemental food are done by phone 831-637-0340
Food Distribution Salvation Army hollister.salvationarmy.org Drive-thru service Tuesdays at 11:00 a.m. 910 Buena Vista Rd. Hollister Sign-ups not required To schedule delivery call 310-753-6520.
Public Assistance CalFresh/Medi-Cal/Cash Aid/GA hhsa.cosb.us apply online at www.c4yourself.com 831-636-4180.
Unemployment Insurance Benefits Employment Development Department apply online at www.edd.ca.gov/ui_online 831-638-3306.
Senior Services Delivery of essential items and food City of Hollister and Jovenes de Antano [email protected] 831-636-4390.
Disability/Paid Family Leave Employment Development Department apply online at www.edd.ca.gov/sdi_online 831-638-3306.
United Way of San Benito County 2-1-1 Text your Zip Code to 831-898-211 or call 211 Text COVID2019 to 211211
Tips for avoiding COVID-19
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
- Keep a minimum of a six feet physical distance from others.
- Avoid people who are sick.
- Stay at home. Only leave to take care of essential errands.
- Cover your cough and sneeze.
- Cover your face (mouth and nose) with protective covering when in public
- Disinfect frequently touched objects.
- If you think you might be infected call your health care professional and follow their directions.
BenitoLink is a nonprofit news website that reports on San Benito County. Our team is working around the clock during this time when accurate information is essential. It is expensive to produce local news and community support is what keeps the news flowing. Please consider supporting BenitoLink, San Benito County’s news.
