Weekly Update - August 19, 2021 |
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COVID-19 Booster Vaccines Now Available for Some Immunocompromised People |
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Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) is now offering COVID-19 booster vaccines for moderately to severely immunocompromised people, following new state and federal health guidelines.
CCHS recommends checking with your healthcare provider if you have questions about whether a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is right for you, and to schedule your booster appointment through your healthcare provider if possible.
An additional dose of either Pfizer or Moderna vaccine may be a healthy choice for people with certain health conditions, such as patients receiving cancer treatment, organ transplant recipients, people with advanced HIV or severe primary immunodeficiency, or people using medicines that suppress the immune system. We ask anyone seeking a booster in Contra Costa to attest that they have a qualifying medical condition.
Contra Costa County has appointments and plenty of the vaccine available, both for booster doses and for residents who are 12 or older and still thinking about getting vaccinated, which remains the single most effective protection against COVID-19.
The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) have issued a statement that booster doses may be available for more people as soon as September, 8 months after their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. “At that time, the individuals who were fully vaccinated earliest in the vaccination rollout, including many health care providers, nursing home residents, and other seniors, will likely be eligible for a booster. We would also begin efforts to deliver booster shots directly to residents of long-term care facilities at that time, given the distribution of vaccines to this population early in the vaccine rollout and the continued increased risk that COVID-19 poses to them”, said the CDC in their statement. The CDC is still awaiting additional information before making an announcement about those who had Johnson and Johnson vaccines.
People with one of the health conditions listed above seeking booster doses can schedule online or phone 1-833-829-2626 for an appointment. Click here for more information about vaccination and appointments.
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Get Your Free COVID-19 Test in Contra Costa County |
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With the highly contagious Delta variant causing another surge, we recommend unvaccinated residents with symptoms or who have been exposed to someone with the virus to get tested as soon as possible. The earlier we can detect COVID and isolate those infected, the more we can prevent the spread of the virus in our communities.
Unvaccinated people have a high risk of getting infected and seriously ill from COVID. They are five times more likely to get the virus than fully vaccinated people and are far more likely to require hospitalization than those that have been immunized. COVID-related hospitalizations Contra Costa have increased by 400% over the past month; an estimated 80% of those hospitalized are unvaccinated patients.
Unvaccinated people who work with the general public (such as retail, food services, transportation or schools) should get tested at least monthly even if they don’t have symptoms. The health officer has ordered unvaccinated employees working in high-risk settings, such as hospitals, nursing homes, and congregate-care facilities, to get tested weekly.
People can get free testing at several county and state-run testing sites, pharmacies, and private healthcare providers. Appointments can be made online at county or state testing sites or you can book one over the phone by calling 833-829-2626.
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What is a variant?
Viruses constantly change through mutations that create new strains of virus (called variants) over time. Some virus variants emerge and then disappear, while others persist or become common. Most variants do not have a meaningful impact. Public health becomes concerned about a SARS-CoV-2 variant when it affects COVID-19 transmission, severity, testing, treatment, or vaccine effectiveness.
Does the COVID-19 vaccine protect against variants, including the Delta variant?
Yes. However, no vaccine offers 100 percent protection. COVID-19 vaccines provide excellent protection from serious disease, hospitalization, and even death – including against the Delta variant. The Delta variant is more easily transmitted than other strains. While new research shows vaccinated people can become infected and carry high levels of the coronavirus, it’s important to remember that it’s primarily the unvaccinated who get infected and spread the virus.
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Latest Masking Order Remains in Place |
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Masks are an important part of protecting ourselves, especially when layered with other forms of protection such as vaccination, physical distancing and avoiding close contact with people who do not live with us. Contra Costa County continues to follow the latest masking orders, read the full Aug. 2 order here.
Unlike the previous COVID-19 surge, last winter, everyone who is 12 or older has ready access to safe, effective COVID-19 vaccine – our single most powerful protection from the virus. While about four in five adults in Contra Costa have already gotten vaccinated, it’s more important than ever to talk to a healthcare professional you trust, if you still have unanswered questions or concerns.
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COVID Status of Contra Costa County
Cases per day per 100,000 for unvaccinated is
approximately 50.2
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Information for Voting in the Upcoming
Recall Election of Governor Newsom
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The upcoming California Gubernatorial Recall Election is September 14, 2021. See below for a list of Official Ballot Drop boxes in District 2:
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Alamo Plaza Shopping Center 190 Alamo Plaza Alamo
- Danville Maintenance Service Center 1000 Sherburne Hills Rd Danville
- Danville Park & Ride Sycamore Valley Rd and 680 Exit
- Lafayette School District Office 3477 School St Lafayette
- Saint Mary’s College 1928 Saint Marys Rd Moraga
- Orinda City Hall 22 Orinda Way Orinda
- San Ramon Community Center 12501 Alcosta Blvd San Ramon
- Dougherty Station Community Center 17011 Bollinger Canyon Rd San Ramon
- Grace Presbyterian Church 2100 Tice Valley Blvd Walnut Creek
Indoor Ballot Boxes available during business hours only:
- Alcosta Senior and Community Center 9300 Alcosta Blvd San Ramon
- San Ramon City Hall 7000 Bollinger Canyon Rd San Ramon
If you would like to vote in person, there will be a number of polling places open from 7am - 8pm on September 14th. Click here to find a polling place in your neighborhood.
For all of the information on Contra Costa elections and the upcoming recall election go to coco.vote/election
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Joint Message from Contra Costa Health Services and the County Elections Division: Recommendations for Voting Safely in the Upcoming Recall Election |
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Contra Costa County is taking great steps to make voting in the September 14th Recall Election as safe as possible. Voters will be able to use a number of methods and are encouraged to protect their health and the health of others while doing so.
Health officials say that voting by mail is the safest voting option, as it limits contact with others. The County is making voting by mail easy by sending every voter a mail-in ballot and paying for first-class return postage.
"For everyone's safety, we are urging voters to vote by mail and to reserve in-person voting for those that require in-person services," said Clerk-Recorder-Registrar Deborah Cooper, the County's top Elections Official. "Voting by mail protects voters, poll workers and our volunteers by limiting personal contact. In- person voting locations will follow health protocols, which may cause delays and lines due to social distancing. The easiest and fastest way to vote for this election is to cast the ballot that we send to you by mail or into one of our official ballot boxes located throughout the County.”
Those accessing in-person services will be required to wear face coverings. If voters don't have PPE available, the County will provide it. All Elections staff and volunteers will be required to wear masks. Sanitizer will be available at in-person voting locations and equipment will be sanitized regularly.
"We know some people feel it's important to cast their votes in person, but with COVID still around and new variant complications, the safest choice this election is to vote by mail," said Dr. Chris Farnitano, Health Officer for the County. "For folks who choose to go to their polling places to vote, we ask that they follow the same basic precautions they would as if they were going to the grocery store: wear face coverings, practice physical distancing and wash or sanitize your hands before and after you go."
For more information on COVID-19 in English and Spanish, residents can visit the COVID-19 website.
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Choice in Aging's Caregiver Retreat |
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You can help Caltrans Bay Area clean up litter and illegal dumping:
Use their Customer Service Request (CSR) system to report concerns. CSRs are an easy way to let Caltrans know about litter, illegal dumping, and maintenance issues such as potholes or broken guard rails, that need to be addressed.
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Exchange Club of San Ramon Valley 9/11 Remembrance |
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Contra Costa County Redistricting Process |
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Redistricting is the once-a-decade process of redrawing the boundaries for Supervisorial districts after the U.S. Census.
The Board of Supervisors held its first Public Hearing for the County’s Redistricting process on August 10, 2021. The Public Hearing provided an overview of the Redistricting process, reviewed the new Redistricting website, provided information about communities of interest, explained how to submit draft maps once U.S. Census data is available, and described robust, planned public outreach and availability of mapping software training. The hearing received input from the public and direction from the Board of Supervisors.
The County’s second Redistricting Public Hearing will be held on October 5, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. It will be available via Zoom, online, and on Contra Costa Television channels. Learn more, including how you can provide input, at www.CoCoRedistricting.org.
Save the Date! District 2 Forum is scheduled for Saturday, October 23, 2021
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PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoff Notifications |
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PGE has developed a series of short how-to videos: "7 Saturdays to a more fire-resistant home.”
The first episode is Defensible Space Around Your Home. After the past two years of drought, you can make your home more fire resistant by spotting and removing the "little things" around your home that can catch fire, cleaning vulnerable areas like roofs, patios, and decks, and removing combustible material like propane tanks and woodpiles.
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Veterans Stand Down on the Delta |
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The Alzheimer's Association Presents a Virtual Evening Forum |
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I-680 Contra Costa Express Lanes Begin Tolling on August 20th |
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Contra Costa Public Works to Upgrade Streets in the Unincorporated Castle Hill Area of Walnut Creek
and Parts of Alamo
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Contra Costa County Public Works will apply asphalt rubber chip seal covered with slurry to various residential roads in the unincorporated areas of Castle Hill in Walnut Creek. Work will continue through September 3, 2021, barring unforeseen circumstances. Work will occur between 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday, weather permitting. Restrictions will be in place to minimize impacts to drivers during commute hours. Please note this schedule is subject to change.
Funding for this project is provided by the SB1 Road Repair and Accountability Act. For more information about this project visit: www.contracosta.ca.gov/2021surfacetreatment.
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Public Works will also be applying asphalt rubber chip seal followed by a slurry seal to various residential roads in Alamo. Work will begin on Wednesday, August 18, 2021 through Thursday, September 30, 2021, barring unforeseen circumstances. Work will occur between 7:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday, weather permitting. Restrictions will be in place to minimize impacts to drivers during commute hours. Please note this schedule is subject to change.
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Measure X Community Advisory Board Updated
Schedule of Meetings
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Measure X, Contra Costa’s new countywide, half-cent sales tax, is expected to raise $112 million for the new fiscal year that began July 1.
The Measure X Community Advisory Board was formed to identify unmet community needs and recommend spending priorities to the county Board of Supervisors.
Community members are welcome to provide public comments verbally. Comments can also be submitted in writing to Lisa.Driscoll@cao.cccounty.us. If you submit written testimony by noon on Friday prior to the following week’s meeting, it will be included in the agenda packet that is published for Advisory Board members and the public.
The presentations have been completed and the committee is now in deliberations.
The updated meeting schedule:
August 20th at Noon
August 25th at 5:00 p.m.
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Alamo Municipal Advisory Committee Seeking Applicants
for the Alternate Seat
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The Alamo Municipal Advisory Council is comprised of seven members and one alternate that serve as an advisory body to the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors and the County planning agency. Members are appointed to the council by the Board of Supervisors to serve the unincorporated area of Alamo.
The Alamo MAC advises on issues and concerns related to services provided by the County or other local agencies located within its boundary, which includes parks & recreation, lighting & landscaping, land use, code enforcement, public safety, and transportation.
There is currently an Alternate Seat Available, you must be an Alamo resident to apply.
Click below for application:
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Contra Costa County
Hazardous Materials Commission Seeks
Environmental Engineer Seat and Alternate Seat Applicants
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DO HAZARDOUS MATERIALS POLICY ISSUES INTEREST YOU?
The Contra Costa County Hazardous Materials Commission is seeking applicants to fill an Environmental Engineer Alternate Seat and also seeking applicants to fill an Environmental Engineer Seat.
You may apply if you …
- are nominated by an environmental engineering organization or firm;
- live or work in Contra Costa County;
- have demonstrated knowledge of hazardous materials issues; and
- can commit to attendance at monthly Commission meetings and a monthly Committee meeting, in the event the seat holder is unavailable.
The Commission is a voluntary body appointed by the Board of Supervisors, and makes policy recommendations to the Board and County staff on issues concerning hazardous materials and hazardous waste.
The Commission’s 14 members and alternates serve four-year terms and include representatives of industry, labor, civic groups, environmental organizations, environmental engineers, the general public, and the Mayors Conference.
To obtain an application form, or for further information, contact Michael Kent, Executive Assistant to the Commission, at (925) 250-3227 or mkent@cchealth.org
Applications may also be obtained from the Clerk of the Board located at 1025 Escobar Street 1st Floor, Martinez CA 94553.
You may also submit an application by mail, e-mail or on-line:
Filing Date: Applications must be received by August 31, 2021 and be sent to the Clerk of the Board.
Interviews for qualified applicants will take place from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm on September 10, 2021 on Zoom.
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District 2 Volunteer Opportunities |
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Now is a great time to consider ways you might want to give back to your community. 2020 saw our advisory bodies pivot to virtual meetings, which is continuing well into 2021. The benefit of these meeting platforms is that more people are able to participate than ever before.
If you are interested in participating in government, then perhaps one of these volunteer opportunities are of interest to you:
Alamo Municipal Advisory Committee (MAC)
Alternate seat
To advise on issues and concerns related to services provided by the County or other local agencies located within Alamo, which includes parks & recreation, lighting & landscaping, land use, code enforcement, public safety, and transportation.
Alamo Police Services Advisory Committee (CSA P-2B/APSAC)
Alternate Seat
To advise the Board of Supervisors and the Sheriff's Department on the needs of the Alamo/Danville community for police services.
County Service Area P-5 Citizen Advisory Committee (Roundhill Residents only. one alternate seat available)
The P-5 Committee advises the Board of Supervisors on the needs of the Alamo community for extended police services for Roundhill.
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