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 4:46 p.m. on March 10, 5,758 people in San Benito County have tested positive for the coronavirus since the first confirmed case in February 2020. Forty-one are active patients, 5,656 have recovered and 61 have died, with the latest deaths reported March 1. The county’s current positivity rate is 4%. For the most updated information, visit the San Benito County COVID-19 Dashboard.
Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital currently has two ICU beds available. Monterey County hospitals have a combined number of 21 ICU beds open and Santa Clara County hospitals have 65 with two of those beds in St. Louise Regional Hospital in Gilroy. For more information visit COVID-19 Hospitals Dashboard.
Vaccine allocation for the week beginning March 8: 1,700. Includes first and second dose.
The state reassessed the county tier system on March 9. San Benito County remains in the purple (most restrictive) tier.
Recent Article
San Benito County holds largest COVID-19 vaccination clinic to date—700 doses are split among four sectors in Phase 1B.
Health
San Benito County Interim Public Health Officers Dr. David Ghilarducci and Dr. George Gellart address the community’s COVID-19 questions every alternate Friday. Next scheduled event March 19. Prerecorded video will be available on their Facebook page and YouTube Channel following the event.
Visit www.sbccovid19.us for more information.
Vaccinations
Residents of San Benito County identified in Phase 1B Tier 1 and 2 of the state’s vaccination plan can register through the state’s MyTurn site which allows all Californians to register for an email or text notification to inform them when they are eligible for vaccination. Soon, the system will also allow residents, if eligible, to book an appointment for a vaccination.
MyTurn can be accessed here: MyTurn website
Current County vaccine distribution:
- Individuals 65 and older
- Those at risk of exposure at work in the following sectors:
- Education and childcare
- Emergency services
- Food and agriculture
As of March 9 following a statewide directive, San Benito County has transitioned from its online COVID-19 vaccination interest portal and will be using the State’s MyTurn system.
See more information here.
Check eligibility and register here.
Government
On March 10, Congress passed the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package known as American Rescue Plan.
The legislation will grant $1,400 direct payments to individuals making under $75,000 and $2,800 to joint filers who make less than $150,000. Individuals making up to $80,000 and joint filers up to $160,000 will get some money but not as much as $1,400 and $2,800. The direct payment also includes up to $1,400 per dependent, including adult dependents.
The bill provides $300-a-week in enhanced unemployment benefits through Sept. 6. And it will expand the annual child tax credit to $3,600 for children up to age 5 and $3,000 for children aged 6 to 17.
Along with direct payments and child tax credits, the bill provides $14 billion for vaccine distribution, $49 billion for COVID-19 testing, contact tracing and personal protective equipment. It also includes $125 billion for K-12 schools and nearly $40 billion for high education. It will provide $39 billion in childcare grants, $25 billion in rental assistance and $30 billion for public transit as well.
In a press release from Congressman Jimmy Panetta on Feb. 26, Panetta said that state and local aid from the bill should provide $12 million to San Benito County.
The bill is expected to be signed into law by President Joe Biden on Friday, March 12.
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.
