Weekly Update - February 25, 2021
California Loosens Rules for Youth Sports
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Outdoor youth sport competitions can restart in many California counties in the red and purple tiers, including Contra Costa, starting tomorrow on February 26, according to the California Department of Public Health guidance updated last Friday.

High-contact sports, which are likely to be played unmasked, can restart in counties with a case rate at or below 14 per 100,000 people. Contra Costa is currently slightly below that threshold at 11.9 cases per 100,000 people, as of February 25th.
Weekly testing will be required for football, rugby and water polo players older than 13 in counties with a case rate between 7 and 14 per 100,000. Testing is also required for coaches in these sports, with results available within 24 hours of competition.

Moderate-contact sports, such as baseball, cheerleading and softball, can be played without the testing requirement.

Regular protections include wearing masks, practicing physical distancing and hand washing and equipment sanitation will be required. Each player’s parent or guardian must sign an informed consent acknowledging risks in order to play.

The state’s new guidelines also apply to adult recreational sports. For information on all sports, youth and adult, see state guidelines.
Contra Costa Extends Vaccine Eligibility to Teachers, Childcare and OtherEssential Workers
Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) updated its eligibility policy for COVID-19 vaccine to extend vaccination eligibility to residents who work in the education and childcare sector, food and agriculture workers, and emergency services workers as defined by California’s vaccination plan Phase 1B. Teachers, grocery workers and other frontline essential workers who live in Contra Costa County can now sign up to get vaccinated.

It is important to note, however, that due to interruptions in the vaccine supply flowing to the counties, Contra Costa Health is not booking many new first-dose appointments and continues to focus on completing second doses. They have not had to cancel appointments at any county-run sites yet, although at least two pharmacy partners have had to cancel more than 500 appointments total. Some County vaccination sites have reduced their capacity by 50% compared to last week due to limited supplies. The backlog of appointment requests is now up to 34,730, as of Feb. 23. This waiting list is largely comprised of newly eligible essential workers. 

Residents in these groups, as well as county residents who are 65 years and older who have not yet been vaccinated, can sign up to access state and federal sites through MyTurn or by calling 1-833-422-4255.

OptumServe also serves all County residents who are in phase 1A, age 65 and older. They are an organization contracted by the State and they are currently vaccinating by appointment at the Tice Valley Gym in Walnut Creek. Eligible county residents can request an appointment online or call 1-877-218-0381 (option 7). This call center is open 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. weekdays, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. weekends.

Essential workers and residents 65 years and older can also request immunization appointments through CCHS and join the county waiting list for COVID-19 vaccine. However, given the County’s backlog in appointment requests, we are recommending that residents sign up with MyTurn or Optum Serve.  

Even if you are not yet eligible now, we are encouraging everyone to sign up through the MyTurn app, which will then notify you when you are eligible for the vaccine.

Patients who need to cancel an existing appointment or who received a first dose of vaccine through CCHS and need to make a second-dose appointment should call 1-833-829-2626.

CCHS continues to move forward with a workplace-based outreach effort to immunize essential workers in high-risk jobs in the county’s hardest-hit communities, including food and agriculture workers. Workers at sites selected for the program will be contacted by their employers.
Supervisor Andersen Visits Bishop Ranch Vaccine Clinic
Candace visited the Bishop Ranch, San Ramon, Covid-19 Vaccine Clinic run by San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District (SRVFPD) with the assistance of the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department, Contra Costa Fire Protection District and many volunteers including those from our county-wide CERT programs. The clinic is operating twice a week at this location and is administering up to 1,700 vaccines per day. It is by appointment only to those who have signed up through the County Health’s website San Ramon Valley Fire has been participating in similar clinics in other parts of the County, as well.

In the photo with Candace are SRVFPD EMS Battalion Chief Jonas Aguiar and EMS Coordinator, RN, Laura Begin.
Updated Openings at a Glance
County Tier Metrics
Contra Costa County remains in the purple tier. The most recent 7 days are not used for calculation because that data is still being reported. To get into the Red Tier, which allows for additional school openings and more activities, we will need to reach 7 or fewer cases per 100,000 and less than an 8% testing Positivity Rate for tests both Countywide and using our Equity Metric. Although our numbers continue to improve, the COVID virus is still very prevalent in our community. Please continue to be vigilant in following local health orders and recommendations.


Hospitalizations in Contra Costa County
For more information go to Hospital Dashboard webpage, click here.
Contra Costa Superior Court Reopening Monday, March 1, 2021
Contra Costa Superior Court will reopen to the public on Monday, March 1. The reopening date is subject to change depending on COVID-19 conditions.

This press release describes both general Court operations and procedures specific to various case types. Please read it carefully. Court websites included in the release, will be updated by Friday, February 26, to reflect these changes.

The COVID-19 pandemic is a constantly-changing situation. Please visit the courts website for the most updated information.
Would You Like to Serve on the Measure X
Community Advisory Board?
The Measure X Community Advisory Board was established on February 2, 2021 following passage of Measure X – a countywide sales tax measure providing general purpose revenue for County programs estimated to generate at least $81 million annually.

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors is seeking individuals that represent broad and diverse voices, perspectives and expertise, including but not exclusive to: budget justice advocacy, children’s services, community health, consumer advocacy, faith leadership, senior services, fire and public safety protection, housing and homelessness, labor union representation, legal advocacy, local businesses, mental health services, non-partisan civic organizations, policy organizations, public health, racial justice and equity, safety net services, substance abuse services, taxpayers, and youth services, to serve on the newly established Measure X Community Advisory Board.

The Measure X Community Advisory Board is composed of 10 Supervisorial District seats and 7 At-Large seats, for a total of 17 seats and is responsible for the following:

• Overseeing an annual assessment of community needs, focusing primarily on the priority areas identified in the Measure X Needs Assessment, including emergency response (fire/medical), health care, safety net services, preventative care, affordable housing, and support for early childhood, youth, families, and seniors;
• Creating a detailed priority list of the top service gaps based on the results from the Needs Assessment;
• Using the Needs Assessment to make funding priority recommendations to the Board of Supervisors annually;
• Providing an Annual Report on the outcomes and impact of allocated funds.

To be considered, candidates must either live or work in Contra Costa County. The Community Advisory Board will initially meet as needed to develop recommendations to the Board of Supervisors, then shall meet at least quarterly. During COVID-19, Committee members will meet via online conferencing as permitted by ty the Governor’s Executive Order N29-20 issued on March 17, 2020.

Members of the Community Advisory Board will receive no compensation for their service and must complete State required ethics training as well as County training on the open meeting laws, including the Ralph M. Brown Act and Better Government Ordinance. Initial members of the Committee shall serve staggered terms of two or three years, with subsequent appointments serving three-year terms, with a maximum of six years served consecutively by any member. Currently elected or appointed public officials, including, but not limited to, Mayors, City Council Members, City Managers and Fire Chiefs are not eligible for appointment. Candidate interviews will take place during the month of March and the Board of Supervisors plans to make final appointments in late March or April 2021.

Application forms can be obtained from the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors by calling (925) 655-2200 or by clicking on the following link on the County website, use this form and return to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors by email ClerkofTheBoard@cob.cccounty.us, or mail to County Administration Building, 1025 Escobar Street, 1st Floor, Martinez, CA 94553 no later than 5pm on Thursday, March 11, 2021.
Save the Date! Cesar Chavez Virtual Celebration
Helping Working Families to Put Money Back in Their Pockets
Fire Preparedness Virtual Town Hall
Consider Becoming a Red Cross Volunteer
Go to resources for providers to learn more.
District 2 Volunteer Opportunities

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 meeting, which will likely continue 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 Police Services Advisory Committee (CSA P-2B/APSAC)
To advise the Board of Supervisors and the Sheriff's Department on the needs of the Alamo/Danville community for police services.

Assessment Appeals Board - co.contra-costa.ca.us/2924/Assessment-Appeals
Alternate Seat Available
The Assessment Appeals Board conducts impartial hearings on property assessment disputes between taxpayers and the county assessor. Based on the evidence presented at these hearings, the appeals board determined the value of the disputed property or determines other matters of property tax assessment within the board’s jurisdiction.

County Service Area P-5 Citizen Advisory Committee (Roundhill Residents only)
The P-5 Committee advises the Board of Supervisors on the needs of the Alamo community for extended police services for Roundhill.

In-Home Support Services Public Authority Advisory Committee (IHSS) https://ehsd.org/elderly-disabled/public-authority/ihss-public-authority-advisory-committee/
 
Find out more information about volunteering for an advisory body here co.contra-costa.ca.us/3418 . To apply online go to www.co.contra-costa.ca.us/.