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 of 4:50 p.m. on Oct. 14, 1,390 people in San Benito County have tested positive for the coronavirus since February. Fourteen are active patients, 1,363 have recovered and 13 have died. The county’s current positivity rate is 2.8%. For the most updated information, visit the San Benito County COVID-19 Dashboard.


Recent Articles
San Benito High School allows resumption of training and conditioning on campus—Student-athletes may participate in only one cohort and sport at a time.
Other
From San Benito County Arts Council:
Applications are now open for two COVID Art Relief Grant Programs for Arts Organizations & Cultural Groups impacted by COVID-19. Applications are being accepted online through Sunday, Oct. 25.
COVID Art Relief Grant Program-Communities of Color
This program provides financial support to Arts Organizations & Cultural Groups based in San Benito County that serve and represent communities of color and have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. Applicants may apply up to $4,000 for general operations, such as rent, salaries or artist fees, or project-based support. Funding for this grant program comes from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act through the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency, and the California Arts Council, a state agency.
For information on grant program eligibility and application requirements and to apply online, click here.
COVID Art Relief Grant Program-San Benito County
This program provides financial support to broad-based Arts Organizations & Cultural Groups based in San Benito County that have been impacted by COVID-19. Applicants may apply up to $2,500 for general operations, such as rent, salaries or artist fees, or project-based support. Funding for this grant program comes from a grant from the Community Foundation for San Benito County.
For information on grant program eligibility and application requirements and to apply online click here.
For other questions about the Arts Council’s COVID Art Relief Grant Programs, please contact the Arts Council at [email protected] or call at 636-2787.
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.