Weekly Update - January 15, 2021 |
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Residents Aged 65 and Older are Now Eligible for
Covid Vaccine in Contra Costa County
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Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) has expanded eligibility for the Covid vaccine to include residents aged 65 and older (part of Phase 1B/Tier 1 group). Eligible people who live and work in Contra Costa, can request a vaccination appointment online with the County. At this point, they will only be booking appointments online. A toll-free appointment call center will be available starting on Tuesday. If you are currently eligible, request an appointment HERE.
Vaccine appointments are not first come, first served. Contra Costa follows State and Federal guidelines for prioritizing immunization. That means someone in a higher-risk group, especially someone who is 75 or older, might receive an earlier appointment than a younger person, even if they requested their appointment later.
Currently the bulk of these appointments are being handled by the County and its pharmacy partners as private healthcare systems ramp up their vaccine operations. Eventually, the main place most Contra Costa residents will get vaccine is their own healthcare providers. Once other systems are on board, Health Services can refer outstanding appointments to the appropriate system to get them into the soonest appointment.
Contra Costa County can meet its immunization goals if every hospital and healthcare provider in the community pitches in. CCHS is coordinating closely with hospitals, independent providers, pharmacies and clinics to ensure the vaccine is available for everyone.
John Muir and Kaiser are currently planning for a vaccination clinic at Rossmoor to begin on January 25th. Details will be available soon.
Contra Costa County’s healthcare system is gearing up to provide as many as 7,000 vaccines daily to immunize all eligible residents over the next six months. The goal is to immunize about 80% of everyone who can get vaccinated in Contra Costa – eventually about 725,000 county residents. 80% percent is what health services believes we need to achieve herd immunity, which will stop the virus from spreading quickly in our community.
Contra Costa Health Services and its partners have administered nearly 36,000 doses since COVID-19 vaccine became available in Contra Costa, and are working hard to build on this start.
Contra Costa County is now expanding staffing and infrastructure in preparation for a widespread community vaccination campaign. CCHS is partnering with Safeway and Rite-Aid to vaccinate eligible groups in the county
The county expects to triple the number of vaccines offered this week as capacity grows.
- CCHS projects that 9,500 vaccine shots will be given this week alone (through Jan. 17)
- CCHS projects nearly 26,200 shots will be given the following week (Jan. 18-24)
- CCHS projects nearly 36,000 shots will be given the week of Jan. 25-31
Keep in mind these are projections subject to change depending on considerations such as staffing and vaccine supply.
Information and updates about COVID-19 vaccine (but not appointments) are available at 1-844-729-8410 or cchealth.org/coronavirus
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The State's Regional Shelter-at-Home Order
Extended Until ICU Capacity Improves
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The state has extended the Bay Area’s regional stay-at-home order due to the dwindling availability of intensive care unit (ICU) in the region.
The state’s stay-at-home order evaluates hospital capacity of California by region of the state, triggering when the intensive care unit (ICU) bed capacity in a region’s hospitals falls below 15%.
As of Monday, Bay Area hospitals had only .7% ICU capacity, according to an adjusted state data projection. It has since improved, but is still at only 4.1% capacity today. The state’s ICU number is not a strict percentage of ICU beds available. It is a projection derived from a calculation that considers the numbers of licensed ICU beds normally available and projections of how many COVID-19 patients in an area are likely to require ICU-level care in the near future.
Once a region’s four-week ICU projection shows a capacity of greater than or equal to 15%, the order will be lifted for that area. Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) urges everyone who lives or works in the county to follow the health advice within the law to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.
- Avoid in-person gatherings with people who do not live in your household, especially indoors.
- Always where a face covering, practice physical distancing whenever you go out and avoid unnecessary trips outside the home.
- Always stay home if you are not feeling well and consider a COVID-19 test if you have symptoms of illness.
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Beware of COVID-19 Vaccine Scams |
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Now that COVID-19 vaccines are here, we expect the scammers and fraudsters to take full advantage. For some tips on how to avoid fraud. go to cahealthadvocates.org.
If you hear of scam calls, please report them to California Senior Medicare Patrol at 855-613-7080.
Go to this one-page tip sheet for a quick summary of what to watch for and how to protect yourself from COVID-19 scams and healthcare fraud.
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Contra Costa Health Services is Screening
Volunteers to Help With Vaccinations
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Contra Costa Health Services is now screening volunteer candidates to assist with COVID-19 vaccination and to work in the public health laboratory.
Vaccinator volunteers must be currently licensed (RN, LVN, DDS, PharmD or MD), complete a background check and TB test and complete online training. Volunteers must be available 24 hours a week, including weekends, and have reliable transportation. Hours vary.
Public Health Laboratory volunteers need an AA or BA in a laboratory or biological science, while laboratory technician volunteers require no college degree, but laboratory experience preferred. Volunteers must complete a background check and TB test, and complete training.
Lab volunteer service is a 3-4 month commitment of at least 20 hours a week, with weekend shifts required.
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Hospitalization Data in Contra Costa County |
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Humanitarians of the Year Awards to be Presented at 43rd
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Event
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In 2021, fifty-three years will have passed since the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. That sobering reminder will serve as a backdrop to Contra Costa County’s 43rd Annual Commemoration of Dr. King’s life and legacy. The Board of Supervisors welcomes the public to watch a virtual community celebration on Tuesday, January 19, 2021, at 11 am.
“Contra Costa County welcomes the public to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and help us honor a Humanitarian and Student Humanitarian of the Year. These honorees serve the residents of Contra Costa with dedication and heart. Together, we will commemorate Dr. King and commit to continuing our work together to address issues of racial injustice and inequality in our communities,” said Board Chair, Supervisor Diane Burgis.
The theme of the event is “Silence is Not an Option.” Countywide recognition will be given to the Adult Humanitarian of the Year, Velma Wilson from Antioch, and the Student Humanitarian of the Year, Kimyatta Newby, a recent graduate of Middle College High School in San Pablo. Their stories of leadership, advocacy, and service have impacted Contra Costa County, its residents and communities, and reflect the spirit of Dr. King’s work and achievements.
The celebration will feature the voices of inspirational speakers from the community, including Mike Anderson, former Mayor of Lafayette, Iris Archuleta, Co-founder Emerald HPC International, Merl Craft, Mayor of Pittsburg, Reverend Phillip Lawson, retired pastor and civil rights activist, and Shanelle Scales-Preston, Pittsburg City Council Member. The program also includes entertainment from the Contra Costa School of Performing Arts.
To learn more about the Dr. King Ceremony and past ceremonies, visit www.contracosta.ca.gov/5307 in the Community section of Contra Costa County’s website. |
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Continued Limited Court Access Through
January 29, 2021
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The spike in COVID-19 cases continues and stay-at-home orders remain in effect. To limit the risk of COVID-19 transmission, the Court will continue to LIMIT COURT ACCESS through January 29, 2021.
• PUBLIC ACCESS WILL BE LIMITED. Exceptions are criminal preliminary and other evidentiary hearing witnesses, attorneys, defendants and victims in matters with time not waived. Masks are required for entry.
• JURY TRIALS ARE SUSPENDED. Criminal preliminary and other evidentiary hearings with time not waived will proceed.
• JURY SERVICE. Jurors summonsed to report on or before January 29, 2021: Your service has been completed. You do not need to call or report for jury duty.
• THE COURT OR YOUR ATTORNEY WILL NOTIFY YOU OF RESET HEARINGS. If your matter is to be reset, the Court or your attorney will notify you of the new date, with hearings to be by Zoom or CourtCall. Instructions and links for Zoom/CourtCall, public access to audio streaming where available, and court calendars may be found on our Court Calendar webpage.
ALL CLERK’S OFFICES ARE CLOSED TO PUBLIC ACCESS. FILINGS WILL BE ACCEPTED BY MAIL OR DROP BOX AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE TIMELY PROCESSED.
The limited closure is NOT a Court holiday for filing deadlines. 2 Drop boxes will be available from 8 A.M. – 4 P.M at the following locations:
- Civil: Main Street entrance of the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse in Martinez.
- Criminal: Main Street entrance of the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse in Martinez.
- Family: Main entrance of Family Law building in Martinez.
- Juvenile: Main entrance of the Walnut Creek Courthouse.
- Probate: Main Street entrance of the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse in Martinez.
- Pittsburg and Richmond courthouses: These drop boxes are available only for filings in case types heard at those locations.
- ALL COURT RECORDS OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED.
See the Criminal Records and Civil Records webpages for the process for records requests by mail. This public health situation is urgent and constantly changing. Accordingly, the Court anticipates further press releases providing more details on Court operations. Please visit the courts website for updated information.
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2021 Trails Challenge for Psychological and Physical Wellness
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It is a new year and East Bay Regional Park District can see from this past week there is no time better than the present to focus on your psychological and physical health.
EBRPD presents to you the 2021 Trails Challenge! This amazing challenge is a break from everything else and will encourage you to go outside, take a walk, get some fresh air, relax and enjoy a moment with your family, friends, or pets. Or take some time to yourself for a peaceful and meditative walk through our parks with the glorious buckeyes, manzanitas, oaks, redwoods or may just some beautiful green or golden hills. What ever you do, make sure it is what you want because you earned it after 2020.
Every year more than 10,000 people participate in this FREE self-guided hiking and bicycling program to explore the East Bay regional parks and to keep fit outdoors. The 28th annual Trails Challenge is sponsored by the Regional Parks Foundation, Kaiser Permanente, and East Bay Regional Park District.
To complete the challenge, hike five of the 20 trails, or 26.2 miles of trails, within East Bay Regional Park District. You can submit your log, online or by mail, by December 1, 2021 and receive a commemorative pin, while supplies last. The pins will not be available until late June.
All 20 featured trails are available on the AllTrails app. First download the free app, sign-up and log in, then go to https://www.alltrails.com/lists/ebrpd-trails-challenge-2021 and click on “Copy to my lists”, followed by "Continue in App". The featured trails will show under 'Lists' in 'Plan'. The app indicates where you are on the trail, enabling easy return to the trail if you stray from it. You can also record your hikes, share your photos and comments with other park users.
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Youth Substance Use Prevention Campaign
“Life’s Too Good To Be Wasted " Photo Contest
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District 2 Volunteer Opportunities
Happy New Year! It 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.
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.
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