COVID-19 News and Information

Last updated:     1/27/2021    5:03:46 PM

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February 25, 2021

The County of Santa Clara Health Officer announced Thursday, Feb. 25, several changes in local Health Directives that will go into effect Friday, Feb. 26. In addition, the Public Health Department also announced that it will be making significant changes to local Health Directives effective as soon as the County enters into the State’s “Red Tier,” which could occur as soon as Wednesday, March 3.

The changes to the local directives also minimize the number of businesses and activities subject to overlapping requirements from the County and the State. 

According to the County, the following changes are effective, Friday, February 26:

• The County’s Mandatory Directive for Youth and Adult Recreational Athletic Activities will no longer be in effect. These activities remain subject to the State’s Guidance on Outdoor and Indoor Youth and Recreational Adult Sports and the County’s updated Mandatory Directive for Gatherings.

• The County’s Mandatory Directive for Programs Serving Children and Youth will no longer be in effect. These activities remain subject to all applicable State guidance (which may include the State’s guidance on Day Camps, Fitness Facilities, Child Care Programs and Providers, and/or Cohorts).

• The County’s Mandatory Directive for Schools has been converted to operational guidance to augment the requirements put in place by the State. Schools remain subject to the State’s Public Health Guidance for K-12 Schools and are also encouraged to follow the County’s Guidance for Schools.

• The Health Officer has issued a new Mandatory Directive for Case Reporting by K-12 Schools, Youth Athletic Programs, and Other Youth Programs. This new directive preserves the requirement that any program with one or more youth participants to report immediately to the County Public Health Department if any program participant tests positive for COVID-19.

• The rules for outdoor gatherings in the Mandatory Directive for Gatherings have been relaxed in light of declining case rates and because outdoor activities have a lower risk of spread than indoor activities.

• The Health Officer still strongly recommends that everyone wear a face covering at all times at outdoor gatherings, but face coverings are required outdoors only if within 6 feet of someone who is not a member of your household.

• The Health Officer still strongly recommends that everyone maintain at least 6 feet of social distance from anyone who is not a member of their household at outdoor gatherings, but it is not required.

• People are allowed to sing at outdoor gatherings without a face covering, provided that they stay at least 6 feet away from everyone who is not a member of their household.

• Indoor gatherings of any kind remain prohibited, until the county enters the State’s Red Tier.

For more information, view the County news releases.

February 17, 2021

County of Santa Clara officials announced today, Feb. 17, that healthcare providers across Santa Clara County will expand access to COVID-19 vaccination to workers in education and childcare, emergency services, and the food and agriculture industries, starting February 28, 2021. This expansion of vaccine access is planned as the County Health System continues to boost its vaccine infrastructure, increasing capacity at both its large vaccination centers as well as smaller community-based and mobile sites.

All of these efforts continue to be limited by both vaccine supply and changing vaccine distribution plans from the State of California.

The County’s website at sccfreevax.org will include updates and information, including when those newly eligible can start to schedule vaccine appointments.

For more information, view the County news release. 

February 12, 2021

To make a COVID-19 vaccine appointment and to determine who is currently eligible to receive a vaccine in Santa Clara County, visit sccfreevax.org. 

Residents without internet access or who need additional assistance can make appointments through the Valley Connection Call Center at 408-970-2000.

Seniors in need of transportation to and from their vaccine appointment at the Mountain View Community Center are encouraged to utilize RoadRunners. Clients need to be ambulatory; walkers are fine. Call 650-940-7016 to schedule transportation. Call at at least one week in advance to guarantee a reservation.

February 4, 2021

On Thursday, Feb. 4, County of Santa Clara officials announced the County of Santa Clara Health System and several other vaccine providers throughout Santa Clara County will begin providing COVID-19 vaccines to any county resident age 65 and older, regardless of their healthcare provider or insurance. View the County news release.

The "no wrong door" system also applies to the mass vaccination site located at the Mountain View Community Center that is operated by the County of Santa Clara Health System. Vaccine appointments are still required.

For more information and links for making vaccine appointment with providers across the county, visit sccfreevax.org.

In addition, residents without internet access or who need additional assistance can make appointments for the County Health System vaccine sites through the Valley Connection Call Center at 408-970-2000. The Call Center is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Assistance is available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and other languages.

January 27, 2021

More COVID-19 Relief Coming to Small Businesses in Mountain View

Get the Facts about Mountain View’s Appointment-only COVID-19 Vaccination Site

January 26, 2021

The County of Santa Clara Health System announced Tuesday, Jan. 26, that COVID-19 vaccinations will soon be available to individuals age 65 and older, following the State of California’s current guidance for vaccine allocation.

County residents 65 and older can begin scheduling appointments now for openings Wednesday, Jan. 27 and thereafter.

Appointments for vaccination can be scheduled through sccfreevax.org.

In addition, to assist residents who lack internet or computer access with scheduling appointments, the County has hosted appointment sign-up fairs in community locations in East San José, Gilroy, and Cupertino, and plans several more in the coming weeks. For more information, view the County of Santa Clara news release.

California debuts My Turn vaccine notification tool

On Tuesday, Jan. 26, the State of California launched a vaccine notification tool, MyTurn.ca.gov. Californians can sign up on the My Turn website to get notified when it's their turn to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

January 25, 2021

From the County of Santa Clara: Effective today, Jan. 25, Santa Clara County has returned to the Purple Tier of the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy, with some additional local restrictions remaining in place. Outdoor dining may resume today, as well as personal care services and professional, collegiate, and adult and youth sports.

The County’s mandatory travel quarantine remains in place, requiring a 10-day quarantine for most people who travel into the county from more than 150 miles away. As always, businesses and individuals must follow both the State and County Health Officer orders, and where there is a conflict between the two, the stricter rules must be followed. For more information, view the County news release.

From the State of California: On Monday, Jan. 25, the State  lifted the Regional Stay-at-Home order statewide, effective immediately. This action comes as four-week ICU capacity projections exceed 15% for the remaining impacted regions. Most counties, including Santa Clara County, are returning to the most strict (purple) tier of the Blueprint for a Safer Economy. For more information, visit the California Department of Public Health website. 

January 22, 2021

County of Santa Clara and City of Mountain View Partner to Open COVID-19 Vaccination Site at Mountain View Community Center

Appointment-only vaccination site operated by the County will provide up to 1,000 vaccine doses per weekday.

January 17, 2021

On the local COVID-19 vaccine front, here's what we know right now from County of Santa Clara officials: In Santa Clara County, all healthcare systems are vaccinating healthcare workers eligible under Phase 1A, and some have expanded eligibility to include individuals 75 and older, while Kaiser Permanente is now offering limited vaccine appointments to individuals age 65 and older. 

For the latest vaccine-related information for our county, including who's currently eligible to receive the vaccine as well as how those individuals can schedule appointments, visit the County website, sccfreevax.org.

County of Santa Clara Launches New COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard

On Jan. 15, the County announced a new online dashboard that will track the number of vaccine doses received and administered by vaccine providers in Santa Clara County.

According to County officials, the dashboard will continue to be revised and expanded as the County gets more refined data from providers. Some data is still missing, either due to failure to report or due to the provider receiving supply directly from the federal government and therefore not being subject to the reporting requirement. The dashboard provides an information snapshot to the public to better understand the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines throughout our community. The County said the new dashboard will be updated daily. 

January 13, 2021

The County of Santa Clara’s vaccination information website, www.sccfreevax.org, has the latest details about who’s eligible to be vaccinated and how to make a COVID-19 vaccination appointment. 

Who is Currently Eligible to be Vaccinated?

All healthcare personnel in Phase 1A are currently eligible to be vaccinated. In addition, some health systems in the County are now allowing Santa Clara County residents who are age 75 or older to receive their vaccine.

Eligibility for COVID-19 vaccine is determined by state and federal criteria. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has announced that all individuals in Phase 1A are eligible to be vaccinated, and that healthcare providers may begin offering doses to additional groups in Phase 1B Tier 1 after appropriate efforts have been made to reach higher priority groups and when demand from people in Phase 1A has slowed down.

Individuals who are eligible to be vaccinated, should contact their healthcare provider for more information or to make an appointment:

• Kaiser members should contact their primary care provider here or contact the Kaiser appointment or advice line to determine their eligibility and schedule an appointment.
• Eligible individuals who receive primary care from Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF) should contact PAMF to schedule their vaccination appointment.
• Eligible individuals who receive their primary care from Stanford Healthcare should contact Stanford to schedule an appointment. Online scheduling will begin the week of January 11th.
• Eligible individuals whose primary care provider is Santa Clara Valley Medical Center Hospital & Clinics (SCVMC) can be vaccinated through the County’s Health and Hospital System. Schedule a vaccination appointment here.
• Eligible individuals whose primary care provider is not with Kaiser, PAMF, Stanford, or SCVMC can be vaccinated through:
  • The County’s Health and Hospital System. Click here to schedule an appointment.
  • El Camino Health - Appointments begin on January 19. Click here to schedule an appointment.
  • Good Samaritan Hospital - Click here to schedule an appointment.
  • Regional Medical Center - Click here to schedule an appointment.

View the County news release about several healthcare providers in Santa Clara County are expanding access to COVID-19 vaccination to include individuals age 75 and older.

January 9, 2021

Get the latest local information on the COVID-19 vaccine by visiting the County of Santa Clara's online hub, sccfreevax.org. The website provides details on who is currently eligible to be vaccinated, who is next, frequently asked questions about the vaccine, and more.

According to County officials, all healthcare personnel who have direct or indirect contact with patients or infectious materials are eligible for vaccination now under Phase 1A, as are staff and residents of long-term care facilities. Visit the County website for more information about how to get vaccinated.

January 8, 2021

The State of California has extended its Regional Stay at Home Order for the Bay Area, which was originally set to expire on Jan. 8, due to the region’s ICU bed capacity remaining below 15%. The public health order remains in effect due to the region’s intensive care unit (ICU) bed capacity remaining below 15% at Bay Area hospitals. All current restrictions will remain in place until the Bay Area’s four-week ICU projection shows a capacity of greater than or equal to 15%.

The Bay Area’s current ICU capacity is 3%. Per County of Santa Clara officials, the current ICU bed capacity, including surge capacity ICU beds, is 6%.

View the statement, issued Friday, Jan. 8, by the California Department of Public Health.

December 27, 2020

County of Santa Clara officials said the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine program continued this week. Acute care hospitals across Santa Clara County are vaccinating their employees, while the County Public Health Department continues its daily vaccine clinic, providing vaccinations to several hundred staff of local skilled nursing facilities each day. This week, the County said it also began vaccinating medical first responders, including EMS workers and Fire staff.

For updates on the vaccination program, visit the County's COVID-19 vaccine website.

December 18, 2020

Based on the latest State of California guidance issued on Dec. 14, 2020 about Youth and Adult Sports, the City of Mountain View is reopening some programs effective immediately:

• Group and private tennis lessons
•  Group and private golf lessons

Also, for the City’s tennis courts, a maximum of two households per tennis court are allowed as long as social distancing is maintained and face coverings are worn 100% of the time.

For more information, visit the City’s Recreation Division online.

December 16, 2020

On Dec. 16, 2020, State officials announced the entire Bay Area region would be placed under the Regional Stay-at-Home order after ICU capacity falls below 15%.Of the 11 counties in the Bay Area region, only four — San Mateo, Napa, Solano and Santa Cruz — chose not to adopt the Stay-at-Home order early. The Stay-at-Home order will officially take effect in those counties at 11:59 p.m. Dec. 17, 2020.

 December 11, 2020

• Due to the Regional Stay-at-Home Order, the City of Mountain View is canceling several programs as of Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020 to limit members from different households from gathering. The programs are:
  • Athletic field permits
  • Outdoor exercise classes offered through the City's Recreation Division
  • Group and private tennis lessons
  • Group and private golf lessons
• Cancellations to the above programs will remain in effect until Jan. 4, 2021 unless it's extended or modified under County or State public health guidance.
• At this time, the Community Services Department will continue to operate the following programs that are allowed under the public health order:
  • Lap swim
  • The Recreation Division's preschool program
• The public will also see new signage at tennis courts, stating that the new State Order limits play to only members of the same households to play together.

December 10, 2020

• Community message from Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga 

December 4, 2020

• Bay Area health officers announced they are moving to implement the State’s new Regional Stay-at-Home Order now. On Dec. 3, Governor Newsom announced that all sectors other than retail and essential operations would be closed in regions of California where less than 15 percent of intensive care unit (ICU) beds are available under a new Regional Stay-at-Home Order.  Rather than waiting until ICU bed availability reaches critical levels and delaying closures that are inevitable, the Health Officers for the Counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, and Santa Clara as well as the City of Berkeley jointly announced that they will implement the State’s Regional Stay Home Order now.
• According to the joint news release, the six jurisdictions are working to ensure that all sectors have at least 48-hour notice of these closures, which is consistent with the State framework. Most of the Bay Area health officers will implement the State’s Regional Stay-At-Home Order as of Sunday, Dec. 6.  In Alameda County, it is scheduled to take effect on Monday, Dec. 7, 2020, and Marin County’s order will take effect Tuesday, Dec. 8. The new restrictions will remain in place until Jan. 4, 2021.
• The sector closures and restrictions on activity under the State’s Regional Stay-at-Home Order are described here. 

November 30, 2020

• Revisions to the Mandatory Directives from the Public Health Officer’s Risk Reduction Order, including a Mandatory Directive on Travel, effective from Monday, 11/30/2020 at 12:01 a.m. through Monday, 12/21/2020 at 5:00 a.m., unless extended.

November 20, 2020

• California Department of Public Health issues Limited Stay at Home order, effective 11/21/2020
• Santa Clara County moved to the Purple Tier, the most restrictive tier of the State's "Blueprint for a Safer Economy"

October 13, 2020

•  Santa Clara County Public Health Department announces County's move into Orange Tier status
  

October 5, 2020

• Santa Clara County announces COVID-19 Public Health Order changes to go into effect AFTER the County reaches Orange Tier status

View COVID-19 News Items from Prior to October 5, 2020

County and National Public Health Information

The Santa Clara County Public Health Department has a webpage dedicated to novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in English, Chinese, Spanish and Vietnamese at www.sccphd.org/coronavirus. The City of Mountain View will also keep a direct weblink to the County Public Health page at www.MountainView.gov.