Weekly Update - January 28, 2022 |
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Health Officials Say Omicron Surge Likely Peaked
in Contra Costa County
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Health officials told the Board of Supervisors at the Tuesday, January 25 meeting that Contra Costa County has likely passed the peak of the current COVID-19 surge, caused by the highly infectious omicron variant.
Dr. Ori Tzvieli, the county’s Deputy Health Officer reported the case rate peaked on Jan. 9. Hospitalizations peaked on Jan. 20, though county hospitals remain heavily impacted.
There are currently 306 COVID patients hospitalized in Contra Costa County, which is up 30 percent from the week before. About half of those cases are there with COVID, but not necessarily because of COVID. Dr. Tzvieli said the county expects fewer hospitalizations in the coming weeks, as the average daily number of new cases is now falling.
Unvaccinated people continue to be much more vulnerable to becoming infected and becoming seriously ill. Vaccination and booster appointments are readily available. Call 1-833-826-2929 or make an appointment online.
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Join our Interest List for Free Covid-19 Home Test Kits Available to those with the Greatest Need |
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We are taking names for an interest list for Free Covid-19 Home Test Kits. Once on the list, you will be notified by email when we have test kits available.
We are giving priority to:
- Those who need to be tested to visit elderly or immunocompromised family members.
- Those who have not previously received COVID test kits from our office and find it difficult to stand in line to get them.
- Those who may have been exposed to COVID, but have no test kits at home.
- Those who are not eligible for testing at local schools. Students, their families, and school employees are eligible for free testing through their school district.
If you meet one of the above neediest categories, please respond to this email, or email us here, and we will put you on an interest list and let you know by email when you can come to our Danville office to pick up two kits (four tests). Please include your first and last name and address in the email.
We hope to continue receiving shipments but they are dependent upon availability.
More reliable PCR testing continues to be available for free by appointment only at various County sites. The demand has receded a little this week and more appointments are now available. More information about where to get tested can be found here: coronavirus.cchealth.org/get-tested. |
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Get Free at-home Covid-19 Test Kits from
the Federal Government
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To ensure that all Americans have access to timely COVID-19 testing, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and the U.S. Postal Service have launched COVIDtests.gov, a new site for requesting free home test kits by mail.
Every address in the United States is now eligible to receive four free tests by signing up at the site, which is also a helpful resource for finding nearby COVID-19 testing and vaccination clinics, and information about insurance reimbursement for purchasing home test kits.
Order your tests now so you have them when you need them.
Learn more about how to get home test kits, or make a testing appointment in Contra Costa, on the Get Tested page.
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How To Make an Appointment at One of the Contra Costa Health Services COVID-19 Testing Sites |
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NOTE: You must make an appointment to get tested at County testing sites. Walk-ins without an appointment are not accepted.
Please do not go to hospital emergency departments to get a COVID test unless you are seriously ill. Going to an emergency room increases your risk of being exposed to COVID and distracts medical staff from focusing on treating sick patients with health emergencies.
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Indoor Mask Mandate Dashboard |
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COVID Status of Contra Costa County |
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It is estimated by our Deputy Health Officer that approximately 50% of COVID hospitalizations are for patients who have been admitted for COVID, and the other half were admitted for something else and then found to be infected during intake screening. For more data and information about current COVID rates in California, please go to coronavirus.cchealth.org. |
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Because so many people are now being diagnosed with home test kits, and those cases are seldom reported, these numbers are likely higher. |
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Contra Costa Health 2021 Annual Report |
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In 2021, COVID-19 continued to place extraordinary demands on Contra Costa Health and our entire community.
In the link below, please find the Contra Costa Health 2021 Annual Report. This report looks at the spectrum of services, programs, and interventions Contra Costa Health oversees in concert with our partners to deliver health to all members of our community, especially our most vulnerable.
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Board of Supervisors Invites You to the Inaugural Asian and Pacific Islander New Year Celebration Honoring the Diverse Cultures and Traditions in Our Communities |
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Contra Costa County's Board of Supervisors honors Asian and Pacific Islander cultures and traditions, inviting the community to the free, virtual event for the inaugural New Year Celebration on Tuesday, February 1, 2022, early during the 9:00 a.m. Board of Supervisors meeting as the main presentation.
"We want to recognize one of the most important celebrations for our Asian and Pacific Islander communities and dismiss monolithic stereotypes by featuring the diversity in our Asian communities," said Board Chair, Supervisor Karen Mitchoff. "Contra Costa County will make history on the first day of this year’s Lunar New Year, February 1st, with the inaugural event as we honor and celebrate the many different Asian and Pacific Islander cultures and traditions. As an important and integral part of our County family, we celebrate the new year with you, and wish everyone a happy and prosperous new year!"
The Asian and Pacific Islander New Year Celebration will feature guest speakers, Susun Kim, Executive Director of the Contra Costa Family Justice Center, and Professor Kent Wong, Director of the University of California, Los Angeles Labor Center.
The multicultural celebration will feature dance, music, and unique customs from some of the many Asian and Pacific Islander communities represented in Contra Costa County, including Nepalese, Filipino, Chinese, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Laotian, Thai, and Indian communities.
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Enhancing Danville’s Downtown Spaces
Danville launches public outreach efforts for its Downtown Plan Update
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While so much has changed in the past few years, one thing remained the same in our community - the innate desire to gather in our well-loved public spaces. The Town has begun the process of updating the Downtown Plan and has partnered with urban design firm SWA to reimagine how we might use some of the public spaces within our downtown to provide essential connection, interaction, and engagement.
The goal is to create ‘activated’ public spaces that are visually coordinated and balance the need for adequate public parking, drainage facilities, accessibility to all businesses, and essential services such as trash pick-up.
The Town is seeking community input through a survey that will focus on how businesses and residents envision improvements to Danville’s treasured downtown spaces. The survey is expected to take about five minutes and will be available from January 7 to February 14. Other intercept events will be held around town and at the Danville Farmers’ Market.
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Join the Suicide Prevention Coalition |
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Pet Foster Families Urgently Needed |
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Can you open your heart and home to a shelter dog? Contra Costa Animal Services is FULL and needs your help spreading the word. In order to continue to provide the best care for every dog that comes into the shelter, they need foster homes for some of the larger dogs.
Getting dogs out of the overstimulating shelter environment can make a huge difference in their stress levels. It’s also a great way for them to get some much-needed mental and physical exercise while having a great time with new people. There’s no pressure to find an adopter or adopt the dog yourself, but hopefully, by inviting a dog into your home, you can provide information about the dog’s preferences and maybe some great photos to help promote them for adoption.
Animal Services will supply you with everything you need - food, leashes, etc. You just need to provide the love and a home! We do ask that you are a resident of Contra Costa County.
You can find out more and complete the foster application by going to:
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National Blood Crisis - Donations Needed |
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The Red Cross is experiencing the worst blood shortage in over a decade. The dangerously low blood supply levels have forced some hospitals to defer patients from major surgery, including organ transplants. Your donation is desperately needed. One donation may help save more than one life and healthy individuals are needed to donate now to help patients. You can donate blood, platelets, or plasma at a Red Cross Blood Donation site near you.
Appointments are strongly encouraged. Blood products cannot be manufactured, they can only come from the generosity of volunteer donors. Schedule an appointment and help give more life to patients in need now.
Click here to schedule an appointment. See below for a list of upcoming blood donation sites in your area.
- February 4 Grange Hall 233 Front Street, Danville
- February 12 St. Joan of Arc Parish - Gym 2601 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon
- February 12 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints - 2949 Stone Valley Rd, Danville
- February 17 SR Regional Medical Center - South Bldg 6001 Norris Canyon Road, San Ramon
- February 17 Alamo Women's Club 1401 Danville Blvd., Alamo
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Campaign to Save Harvey Ranch |
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The Campaign to Save Harvey Ranch is one of the most consequential efforts in John Muir Land Trust's thirty-year history. Acquiring and permanently protecting Harvey Ranch's 143 acres promises a new gateway to 15,000 acres of pristine wilderness, a critical buffer for wildlife habitat, new staging areas, trailheads, trail connections, and so much more.
Forming the natural backdrop to Saint Mary’s College of California in Moraga, Harvey Ranch is an easy gateway into the difficult-to-reach wilderness formed by Las Trampas Regional Wilderness and the San Leandro Watershed. Protecting the ranch will make accessible superb trails with exceptional views, and provide a necessary buffer between essential wildlife habitat and encroaching residential development.
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2022 Contra Costa Point-in-Time (PIT) Count |
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Contra Costa Health, Housing and Homeless Services needs your support for the 2022 Contra Costa Point-in-Time (PIT) Count. They are seeking volunteers to help identify people experiencing unsheltered homelessness on Thursday, February 24, 2022.
- They are requesting volunteers to sign up in teams of two or three people and walk/drive their assigned route from approximately 5 AM - 10 AM.
- Similar to previous years, the morning of the PIT Count will be observation only and data collection will take place on your smart phones using a downloaded app.
- Due to safety considerations in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, all trainings will be conducted virtually and volunteers will be self-deploying to their assigned routes on the morning of February 24th
For more information about the PIT Count and to register as a volunteer, please fill out the short survey using the "Register" button below. More information about safety considerations, training materials, and your route assignment will be emailed to you shortly after registering.
Please consider participating and encourage your colleagues, staff, and friends to register as a volunteer.
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Unwanted Mattress? You've Got Options |
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The Mattress Recycling Council (MRC) ensures used mattresses are properly recycled. More than 75% of a mattress can be recycled and turned into everyday products like carpet padding, industrial filters, construction rebar, and more. Bye Bye Mattress is a mattress recycling program operating in California. The program was established by law and is operated by Mattress Recycling Council, a nonprofit that uses a recycling fee collected on each mattress and box spring sold, making recycling easier in our communities.
Whether a city picks up your discarded mattress, a retailer takes it back with your new purchase or you drop it off, the Bye Bye Mattress program converts your old product from waste to recycling. As a result, our landfills and incinerators are less crowded as old mattresses are recycled into new, useful products. California residents can drop off their old mattresses and box springs at no cost at a participating collection site or event. Unit limits vary by location and residency restrictions may apply. It is recommended that you contact the location prior to drop-off.
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Community Advisory Board on Public Safety Realignment |
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Family and Children's Trust (FACT) Committee |
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The Family and Children’s Trust committee (FACT) is looking for new members. Applicants should be committed to promoting the safety and well-being of children and families in our community. FACT makes funding recommendations to the County on the allocation of specific funds for the prevention of treatment of child abuse and neglect for families and children.
The FACT committee also provides oversight of the use of those funds. Attendance at monthly meetings is important. Currently the meetings are being held virtually on the first Monday of each month at 9:30am. To learn more please go to family-and-childrens-trust-fund-fact
Recruitment will continue until the seats are filled.
Applications are available from the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors at (925) 655-2000 or online via the County Website.
Completed applications can be submitted online, emailed to [email protected] or mailed to the Clerk of the Board, 1025 Escobar Street 1st Floor, Martinez, CA. 94553. |
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Contra Costa Commission for Women & Girls has Openings |
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Contra Costa County Commission for Women & Girls is looking for interested community members to fill vacant At Large Seats.
The Commission’s mission is to improve the economic status, social welfare, and overall quality of life for women in Contra Costa County. The number one piece of actionable work the Contra Costa County Commission for Women & Girls is primarily dedicated to advising the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors as well as assisting with potential legislation or relevant topics.
The Commission also conducts educational events for the community, which is where the commission has its primary impact.
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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 has continued throughout 2021 and into 2022. The benefit of these meeting platforms is that more people can 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)
1 Seat
2 Alternate Seats
To advise the Board of Supervisors and the Sheriff's Department on the needs of the Alamo community for police services.
In-Home Support Services Public Authority Advisory Committee (IHSS)
1 Seat
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