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 3:58 p.m. on December 17, 7,968 people in San Benito County have tested positive for the coronavirus since the first confirmed case in February 2020. One hundred and eighteen are active patients, 7,769 have recovered, six are hospitalized and 81 have died, with the latest deaths reported December 14. For the most updated information, including bi-weekly statistics about variants and number of vaccinated individuals visit the San Benito County COVID-19 Dashboard. (The county will provide graph reports every Tuesday and Thursday. The dashboard is updated daily.)
Bi-Weekly Statistics December 16:
Recent Articles
San Benito County Public Health Hosts COVID-19 Town Hall
Doctors and pharmacists answer questions from the community about COVID-19 vaccines.
California to require indoor masking starting Dec. 15
This requirement is in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. It will be in effect until Jan. 15, 2022.
Youth Alliance, San Benito Health Foundation partner for COVID-19 outreach
The collaboration has already resulted in 79 children receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
Health
Link to find vaccine appointments: http://www.vaccinespotter.org/
Citing increase in rate of cases the California Department of Public Health will require masks to be worn in all indoor public settings regardless of vaccine status from Dec. 15 through Jan. 15, 2022.
The following individuals are exempt:
- People younger than two years old. Very young children must not wear a mask because of the risk of suffocation.
- People with a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability that prevents wearing a mask. This includes persons with a medical condition for whom wearing a mask could obstruct breathing or who are unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove a mask without assistance.
- People who are hearing impaired, or communicating with a person who is hearing impaired, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication.
- People for whom wearing a mask would create a risk to the person related to their work, as determined by local, state, or federal regulators or workplace safety guidelines.
See article above for more information.
Vaccination Progress
San Benito County Vaccination statistics from the state COVID-19 site as of 11:59 p.m., December 16:
- 95,290 doses have been administered.
- 68.8% of eligible individuals are fully vaccinated.
- 7.8% are partially vaccinated.
- 9,108 booster doses have been administered.
Percent of San Benito County population by ethnicity with at least one dose:
- American Indian or Alaska Native-0.3 (3.1% of SBC population)
- Asian – 3.5 (3.9% of SBC population)
- Black – 0.8 (1.6% of SBC population)
- Latino – 46.8 (60.8% of SBC population)
- Multi-race – 0.9 (3.6% of SBC population)
- Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander – 0.4 (0.4% of SBC population)
- White – 27.9 (32.8% of SBC population)
- Other – 7.4
- Unknown – 12
Percent fully vaccinated per zip code:
- 95023 – 68 (Hollister)
- 95045 – 64 (SJB)
- 95043 – 39 (Paicines, Panoche Valley and New Idria)
- 95075 – 80 (Tres Pinos)
- 95004 – 70 (Aromas. Zip code 95004 extends into three counties: San Benito, Monterey and Santa Cruz. Count is for entire zip code)
More statistical information on the County’s vaccination progress can be found here.
Housing
State rent assistance resource for tenants and landlords. Housing is Key
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 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 :
- Get vaccinated.
- 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.
- Avoid public indoor places.
- Cover your mouth and nose with protective covering when indoors with the public.
- Disinfect frequently touched objects.
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