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 Jan. 7 at 5:04 p.m. , 9,163 people in San Benito County have tested positive for the coronavirus since the first confirmed case in February 2020. Currently, 388 are active patients, 8,688 have recovered, six are hospitalized and 87 have died. 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 Jan. 6:
Recent Articles
State extends mask requirement for public indoor settings
The requirement is through Feb. 15, 2022.
Volunteers needed for COVID/flu vaccine clinics
Clinics are every Monday and Wednesday in January and February.
Hollister School District offers free COVID-19 test kits
The rapid test kits are available for district families or staff Jan. 3 at the district office, Calaveras/AAA and R.O. Hardin.
Health
On Jan. 3, 2022, the FDA approved Pfizer boosters for children 12 to 15 years old. It recommends anyone 12 and older who’s eligible for a Pfizer booster can get one as early as five months after their last dose instead of six months. Children 5-11 who are mildly to severely immune compromised can also receive an additional dose.
On Jan. 5 the state extended its mask requirement for public indoor settings through Feb, 15, 2022
See article above.
On Jan. 7 the FDA shortened the Moderna booster time to five months following the second dose. It was six months following the second dose.
Where to get tested
Hazel Hawkins Community Health Center Building 2, Suite B
930 Sunset Drive, Hollister.
Sunday-Thursday 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Make an appointment at: lhi.care/covidtesting or call 1-888-634-1123.
Walgreens Drive-Thru
https://www.walgreens.com/findcare/covid19/testing?ban=covid_vanity_testing
Does not supply QR code that could be needed for travel.
Gilroy Outlets
https://testbeforeyougo.com/store/simon-gilroy-premium-outlets-covid-19-testing/
Pinnacle Healthcare (Patients only)
https://www.pinnacleweb.com/services/covid-19-testing/
Vaccination Progress
San Benito County Vaccination statistics from the state COVID-19 site as of 11:59 p.m., Jan. 6.
- 100,739 doses have been administered.
- 70.7% of eligible individuals are fully vaccinated.
- 7.9% are partially vaccinated.
- 11,934 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 – 3.6 (3.9% of SBC population)
- Black — 0.8 (1.6% of SBC population)
- Latino — 47 (60.8% of SBC population)
- Multi-race — 1 (3.6% of SBC population)
- Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander — 0.3 (0.4% of SBC population)
- White — 28.1 (32.8% of population)
- Other — 7
- Unknown – 11.6
Percent fully vaccinated per zip code:
- 95023- 71 (Hollister)
- 95045- 66 (SJB)
- 95043- 40 (Paicines, Panoche Valley and New Idria)
- 95075- 82 (Tres Pinos)
- 95004- 71 (Aromas. 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
Other
On Jan. 5 Governor Newsom signed an executive order to extend AB 361. Under the order state bodies are permitted to continue holding public meetings via teleconference through March 31, 2022.
See more here.
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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