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 5:05 p.m. on Jan. 6, 4,035 people in San Benito County have tested positive for the coronavirus since the first confirmed case in February 2020. Five hundred ninety three are active patients, 3,408 have recovered and 34 have died, with the latest deaths reported Jan. 4. 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 one of those beds in St. Louise Regional Hospital in Gilroy. For more information visit COVID-19 Hospitals Dashboard.
Health
From The State of California through the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and the Health and Human Services Agency:
“…today announced the deployment of an additional 49 medical personnel to healthcare facilities statewide. In total, nearly 1,500 medical personnel have been deployed to assist in the COVID-19 response efforts.
These deployments are part of an ongoing effort by the state to relieve stress on the medical care system during the current surge in cases and hospitalizations. These personnel are helping to ensure necessary healthcare staffing for hospitals, nursing homes and other medical facilities because of COVID-19.
Similar to other lines of effort to support the healthcare system including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Alternate Care Sites, this increased staffing is another tool in the State of California’s multi-pronged approach to enhance and complement work of our hospital systems and local government.”
San Joaquin Valley Region has beds available at Fresno Convention Center and Porterville Developmental Center. See here for more details.
California’s Vaccine Advisory Committee is meeting today. The meeting is in session at time of publication.
They did say that California does not plan to cut the two dose vaccines to one dose as other countries are doing as the science does not back the efficacy of one dose.
BenitoLink will bring you more from this committee Jan. 7-8.
California vaccine information can be found here.
California distribution recommendations can be seen here.
Businesses
California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Application Closing Extended:
The application closing date has been extended to Jan. 13 for the recently announced California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant. $475 million of funding administered by the California Office of the Small Business Advocate will be distributed in two rounds for small business relief. The applicant’s small business must meet the eligibility requirements as outlined in the grant. Once the application window closes, an appointed committee will score each application. Distribution based on program priority factors, including the COVID health and safety restrictions following California’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy, local county status, and the new regional stay-at-home order, can be found through the following link https://covid19.ca.gov/safereconomy/. To apply and get additional information, visit: https://careliefgrant.com/
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.
Alex Padilla
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 recreation@hollister.ca.gov 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.