Flu shots are especially important this year. Last week, the Solano County Department of Health and Social Services, Public Health division, confirmed that a Solano County resident under the age of 65 tested positive for the first case of flu and COVID-19 co-infection.

The start of the flu season is always unpredictable, and the flu vaccine, once administered, takes two weeks to become fully effective, therefore Solano County Public Health urges everyone six months and older to get a flu vaccine as soon as possible, and to get one every year, as the flu virus changes over time. Timely flu vaccinations help prevent a disease that hospitalizes hundreds of thousands and kills tens of thousands of Americans every year. 

The Solano County Department of Health and Social Services, Public Health division, has received notification from the California Department of Public Health that Solano County is at risk of moving back to the Purple Tier (Tier 1) – the state’s most restrictive tier – as early as November 10 due to a recent spike in case rate across the County. While Public Health officials have submitted an appeal to the state to keep Solano County in the Red Tier, if Solano County returns to the Purple Tier, some indoor business operations and activities must close or reduce capacity.

The rise in case rate is primarily linked to several large community gatherings, in addition to outbreaks in congregate living facilities. The County is experiencing a higher case rate of COVID-19, at 7.1 cases per 100,000 per day, putting the case rate above the Red Tier threshold. To remain in the Red Tier, the County’s COVID-19 case rate must decrease to 7 cases per 100,000 per day or less.

“The impact of moving back into the Purple Tier on our County’s businesses, residents and the economy would be significant,” said Bela T. Matyas, Solano County Health Officer. “We all have a responsibility to slow the spread of the virus. Over the holidays, we urge you to keep social gatherings small and in a venue where 6-foot social distancing can be maintained. Wear your mask, watch your distance, wash hands frequently, and stay home when you are sick.”

A return to the Purple Tier will adversely impact small businesses throughout Solano County, including those who have been able to provide indoor services in the Red Tier for the past several months after having their operations restricted over the course of the pandemic health emergency. Additionally, schools that have opened while the County is in the Red Tier can remain open; however, any schools that have not yet opened would no longer be able to open except under the elementary school waiver.

Solano County Public Health submitted a tier adjudication request to appeal to the California Department of Public Health earlier this week, indicating that the rising case rate is not an indication of a high risk of community spread in Solano County. If the state does not approve the adjudication request, the County will go back to the Purple Tier as early as November 10, 2020. Solano County is addressing the rising number of cases by increasing outreach efforts and partnerships with community-based and faith-based organizations that serve hard-to-reach communities.

“We know that people are going to get together over the holidays, and we’re not trying to prevent that,” said Matyas. “What we are doing is urging people to play it safe when they get together, to use common sense, and to follow a few simple safety protocols to help slow the spread of COVID-19 and influenza disease in the community.”

Solano Public Health encourages everyone to consider these practices when getting together, including:

Solano County residents are encouraged to get tested for COVID-19, regardless of symptoms, at their local healthcare provider or at community testing sites, including the following locations:

Testing is free and by appointment only. To register, visit https://lhi.care/covidtesting or call 888.634.1123. For additional testing sites in the area, visit https://bit.ly/solanotestingsites.

For more information about the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy and to find the reopening status of businesses in Solano County, visit https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy. For the most recent COVID-19 health information, including the number of COVID-19 cases in Solano County, visit the Solano County website at www.SolanoCounty.com/COVID19 and on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SolanoCountyPH (@SolanoCountyPH).

Solano County residents who have lost their jobs or had their wages reduced due to COVID-19 and need rental assistance, are urged to apply for a second round of County funded Rental Assistance Program; designed to support individuals and families in low-income communities impacted by the ongoing pandemic health emergency. Benicia residents, click here to apply.

Round two of the Rental Assistance Program (RAP) includes an additional $1.5 million in COVID-19 related CARES Act funding, and is anticipated to prevent the eviction of more than 500 households in Solano County; reducing the risk of families and individuals from becoming homeless. To qualify, applicants must have a head of household over 18 years of age, be a Solano County resident as of January 1, 2020, have an income at or below 60 percent Average Median Income for Solano County, and can demonstrate financial hardship or loss of income due to the COVID-19 pandemic health emergency. The second round of RAP will close on Sunday, November 8.

For more information, including changes in income eligibility, program requirements and the selection process, visit the Frequently Asked Questions link on the Catholic Charities of Yolo-Solano website at www.ccyoso.org. Applicants are asked to apply online, over the phone at 707.408.2819 (English) and 707.559.8019 (Spanish), or in person at Catholic Charities’ offices, located at 125 Corporate Place, Suite A, in Vallejo. All materials associated with the program will be made available in English, Spanish and Tagalog.

The Solano County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved $4 million in CARES Act funding to stand up a first round of the COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program at their August 25 meeting. To date, the RAP, administered by Catholic Charities of Yolo-Solano, has assisted 861 low-income households throughout Solano County. RAP participants also receive additional resources, including, but not limited to employment assistance, access to mental and behavioral health services, and food and nutritional assistance through the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano and CalFresh.

Benicia Police Department wants all Benicia residents and businesses to know their evacuation route. Mailer will be sent soon to every Benicia address, highlighting that addresses evacuation route and evacuation information. Be prepared for a disaster by knowing your evacuation route. You can get a jump start and plan ahead by going to the Evacuation Plan page. Then look for these signs around town and plan your evacuation.

We’re just a few weeks away from the first King Tides of the season. In northern California, King Tides will be November 15-16 and December 13-15, 2020 and January 11-12, 2021. In Benicia, King Tides can cause standing water, particularly when it's raining. As storm water drains to the bay, when tides are unusually high, storm water has nowhere to drain and stalls in low-lying areas.

California Coastal Commission's California King Tides Project asks people to photograph these highest high tides of the year to document current impacts and help visualize the future impacts of sea level rise. King Tide photos from the previous two seasons have been consolidated in this map, where you can browse and download photos. There is also a gallery of selected photos from each county. Find out how to submit your Benicia King Tide photos at https://www.coastal.ca.gov/kingtides/.