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 3:43 p.m. on Oct. 15, 7,262 people in San Benito County have tested positive for the coronavirus since the first confirmed case in February 2020. One hundred fifteen are active patients, 7,075 have recovered, five are hospitalized and 72 have died, with the latest death reported Oct14. 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 Oct. 14.
Recent Articles
Community Foundation and United Way announce Covid-19 Grant Awards– Twenty-seven local nonprofits were awarded $415,000 in government grant funding.
No SBC employees or hospital staff have been fired for refusing vaccinations– Governor’s mandate requiring that all state and healthcare workers prove they are vaccinated or be tested weekly does not say what will happen to workers who don’t cooperate.
SBC issues recommendations on social distancing and hybrid meetings– Board of Supervisors to continue holding hybrid meetings offering in-person and Zoom options.
San Benito County issues $300,000 through Vaccine Incentive Program– Having issued all of its $25 gift cards for first doses, the county is looking for funds to continue that program.
BL Special Report: Loneliness among seniors during COVID– Isolating to stay safe makes a difficult problem worse.Â
Health
Link to find vaccine appointments:Â http://www.vaccinespotter.org/
Gavilan College is offering a no appointment vaccination clinic on Oct. 20 from 12-6 p.m. The clinic will be at the main campus at 5055 Santa Teresa Boulevard in Gilroy. In its release to the press the college said it has a limited number of Pfizer boosters for those who qualify. It also said proof of immigration status will not be required.
On Oct. 14 the US Food and Drug Administration’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee recommended emergency use authorization of a booster dose of Moderna vaccine for individuals 65 and older and those at high risk due to immune issues or a job that puts one at risk due to possible exposure. The booster is recommended at six months after full immunity.
On Oct. 15 the committee recommended Johnson & Johnson boosters for everyone 18 and over two months after the initial Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
The committee is also looking at possibility of mixing and matching the vaccines. That is individuals who received the Pfizer vaccine might be able to take the Moderna booster.
Vaccination Progress
San Benito County Vaccination statistics from the state COVID-19 site as of 11:59 p.m., October 15.
- 77,781 doses have been administered.
- 69.2% of eligible individuals are fully vaccinated.
- 9% are partially vaccinated.
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 – 3.4 (3.9% of SBC population)
- Black -0.8 (1.6% of SBC population)
- Latino -44.9 (60.8% of SBC population)
- Multi-race -0.7 (3.6% of SBC population)
- Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander -0.4 (0.4% of SBC population)
- White-27 (32.8% of population)
- Other -8.4
- Unknown – 14.2
Percent fully vaccinated per zip code:
- 95023- 67 (Hollister)
- 95045- 62(SJB)
- 95043- 38 (Paicines, Panoche Valley and New Idria)
- 95075- 87 (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
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/OSHAÂ 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:Â https://covid19.ca.gov/Â Â Â 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-19Â Â Â Â Â
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- 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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