FLASH REPORT #140 – COVID-19 Response and Recovery

FLASH REPORT #140 – COVID-19 Response and Recovery

Post Date: 12/09/2020 4:00 PM

The following is information about the City of San José’s response to slow and reduce the spread of COVID-19 and support our most at-risk communities.

SOURCE:
City of San José
Emergency Operations Center

Contact:
Carolina Camarena/Colin Heyne, City of San José Media Line: 408-535-7777
City of San José Customer Contact Center: 3-1-1 or 408-535-3500

Email:
News/Media: EOC_PIO
Residents: 311
Businesses: covid19sjbusiness
Non-Profits: covid19sjcbo

Updates on City of San José Services and/or Operations

  • City of San José Responds to Stay-at-Home Order: The Santa Clara County Health Department, along with four other counties and the City of Berkeley, announced that they would begin the State of California’s regional stay-at-home order on Sunday, Dec. 6, at 10 p.m. The order will be in effect until Jan. 4, 2021. The decision means that the City of San José returns to stage 5 of our response. In stage 5, the City’s Emergency Operations Center is fully activated to respond to the extremely high risk posed by COVID-19. All essential services, including Beautify San José and building inspections, will continue to operate, with increased attention to our city’s most vulnerable. We will modify some operations to ensure safety and compliance with the stay-at-home order. Services that are prohibited under the order are being suspended until at least Jan. 4.
  • Happy Hollow Park & Zoo Temporarily Closed: Effective immediately, Happy Hollow Park & Zoo is temporarily closed to the public and reservations are on hold. Unused Happy Hollow admission tickets to "Walk through the Zoo" will be valid once Happy Hollow reopens, and reservations will be rescheduled once a reopening date is announced. Happy Hollow Park & Zoo members will have the option to extend their membership for the length of the temporary closure, or to donate the time to help support the Zoo. The public can help continue Happy Hollow’s work in conservation, education, and play by making a donation to Happy Hollow Foundation, Happy Hollow’s non-profit partner. For more information, FAQs and updates about reopening, visit www.happyhollow.org.
  • Youth Intervention Services Clean Slate Tattoo Removal Program: The Mayor’s Gang Prevention Task Force Clean Slate Program is suspending laser treatments out of an abundance of caution for participants, during the County’s Stay-at-Home order. The Clean Slate Tattoo Removal Program, in partnership with Valley Medical Center, helps former gang members remove visible tattoos that keep them from education and employment goals. Clean Slate Tattoo Removal Services will continue once the Stay-at-Home order is lifted. Visit the Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services’ Gang Intervention webpage for more information about Youth Intervention Services.
  • Playgrounds reopening: Following updates from the County and State, City of San José’s 296 playgrounds will begin reopening Thursday, December 10. Those who choose to use the newly opened amenities must follow all posted signage as well as County public health orders. Guidelines for use include washing or sanitizing your hands before and after using playground or exercise equipment; wearing face coverings at all times; keeping a six-foot distance from those outside of your household; staying home if anyone in the household is ill; not sharing personal items or toys; and sanitizing equipment before and after use with EPA approved disinfectants as the equipment is not sanitized by City staff. Parents and caretakers are responsible for ensuring that their children are playing safe and following all of the rules. Do your part to protect your family and others against COVID-19 by following these guidelines. The City of San José will continue to monitor our parks and facilities to ensure the safety and wellness of our community.
  • Essential Volunteers Needed: The holiday season has just begun and we need your help. Hundreds of volunteers are needed to assist nonprofit partners to help distribute critical food and necessities to residents in need. Partners include local nonprofits Second Harvest Food Bank, Veggielution, Sourcewise, First 5 Santa Clara County, the Salvation Army, and Martha’s Kitchen. Even with the new Stay-At-Home orders, volunteers have been deemed “essential” by the State of California to help aid in packaging, distributing, and delivering meals at food banks and other public food security programs as part of the state’s COVID-19 response and recovery efforts. Submit an application to volunteer at Silicon Valley Strong. Silicon Valley Strong is the emergency relief effort created by the City of San José, the County of Santa Clara, and partners, that calls on the community to stay informed, look after one another, and help our most vulnerable residents. If you have the time or you are on vacation with free time, volunteer in your community – it’s essential.
  • City Manager Update to Council: City Manager Dave Sykes presented an update to the City Council during Item 3.1 yesterday, Dec. 8 regarding the City’s response to COVID-19. Dave and officials from the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) provided information on the Regional Stay-at-Home Order, efforts and strategies for distribution of COVID-19 vaccine, and a community and economic recovery update. The full City Council meeting can be watched on the City’s YouTube Channel.
  • San José Recreation Preschool: Children ages 3 to 5 can participate in Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services’ (PRNS) San José Recreation Preschool program, with session two beginning Monday, January 4. Face coverings are required, daily health screenings will be performed, and each learning pod will be limited to no more than 12 children. For those interested in a “stay at home” option, PRNS will continue to offer their virtual Recreation Preschool program, also beginning on January 4. Registration for both in-person and virtual recreation preschool begins December 9 at 10 a.m. Scholarships are still available for families and individuals who meet the qualifications. You must apply in person at a community center and scholarships can be used at any program location. For more information or to register for programs, please contact a community center listed on the San José Recreation Preschool webpage.
  • City Digital Services Survey is Now Live: As we continue to expand and refine our digital presence across the web, social media, and mobile apps, it is important that we understand your needs so we can best serve you. We appreciate your time – thank you for helping us improve our services. The survey should take no more than seven minutes.
  • Council Study Session Addresses Trash and Blight Concerns: In late June, the Emergency Operations Center activated the Beautify San José Response Branch to address growing blight and trash problems, as well as sanitary conditions within homeless encampments made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic. On Friday December 4th, City staff facilitated a City Council study session to discuss the complexities involved, actions taken, and the roadmap ahead for our City. Watch the study session on the City’s website.

COVID-19 Testing, Tracing, and Support Services

If you need a COVID-19 test, don’t wait! A high rate of testing helps identify and stop the spread of COVID-19 cases, and is one of the factors that is helping our county reopen under the new State regulations. Some testing sites are listed below, but there are many more throughout the county. For a full list of COVID-19 testing sites in Santa Clara County, go to www.sccfreetest.org or call 2-1-1.

The County offers support options for people who test positive or have been in contact with someone who is COVID-19 positive. If you need help with food, bills, or a place to stay while you isolate or quarantine, please call 408-808-7770 to learn about support services from the County of Santa Clara.

  • Appointments Available for Testing in San José, Saratoga, and Los Altos Hills: Getting tested for COVID-19 is convenient and easy, and now there’s more lead time offered for scheduling an appointment through an improved online portal. Appointments can be made at the rotating city-based sites a week in advance, and five days in advance at the ongoing Santa Clara County Fairgrounds operation. Appointments can be made at www.sccfreetest.org, where you can also find a complete list of testing options. Valley Medical Center testing sites can now provide automated results via text message – often as soon as the day after the test is administered.
    • San José
      Santa Clara County Fairgrounds Parking Lot A
      344 Tully Rd., San José, CA 95111 (across from the blue arch)

      Drive-through, bike, and walk-up appointments

      By appointment only Monday-Sunday:
      Mondays, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
      Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
      Fridays, 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
      Saturdays and Sundays (beginning Dec. 13th), 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

    • Saratoga
      Friendship Hall
      19848 Prospect Road, Saratoga

      Walk-up appointments
      Thursday, December 10, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

    • Los Altos Hills
      Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Blvd., Los Altos Hills

      Walk-up appointments
      Friday, December 11, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Pop-Up Testing Sites: No appointments needed and only for people without symptoms:
    • San José
      Emmanuel Baptist Church
      467 N. White Rd., San José, 95127
      Tuesday-Friday, Dec. 8 – Dec. 11, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
    • Gilroy
      South County Annex (formerly Del Buono Elementary)
      9300 Wren Ave., Gilroy, 95020
      Tuesday-Friday, Dec. 8 – Dec. 11, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
  • Additional Community-Based and State-Operated Testing Options: Roots Community Health Center and Gardner Health Services offer free, community-based drop-in COVID-19 testing events every Wednesday. Asian Americans for Community Involvement (AACI) provides similar community-based testing every Friday at their Story Road site. See below for specific testing locations. No appointments are necessary and all individuals are served regardless of insurance or immigration status. In addition, there are four testing sites operated by State contractors Verily and OptumServe. These sites are free, but require appointments. Verily’s “Project Baseline” testing locations are primarily drive through sites, while the OptumServe sites are walk-up.
    • Roots Community Health Center
      Antioch Baptist Church parking lot
      268 E. Julian St, San José, 95112
      Every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
      Visit the Roots Community Health Center to pre-register or call 408-490-4710
    • Gardner Health Services
      Mexican Heritage Plaza
      1700 Alum Rock Ave., San José, 95116
      Every Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
      For more information, call 408-457-7100
    • AACI Health Center
      Story Road Clinic
      749 Story Rd., #50, San José, 95122
      Every Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
      For more information, call 408-975-2763
    • Verily’s Project Baseline
      Independence High School – 617 N. Jackson Ave., San José, 95133 and
      Mount Pleasant High School – 1750 S. White Rd., San José, 95127
      Monday-Friday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
      For more information, visit Verily’s Project Baseline
    • OptumServe
      James Lick High School, 2951 Alum Rock Ave.
      Tuesday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
      For more information, visit OptumServe or call 888-634-1123 to schedule an appointment.

Updates from the State of California and County of Santa Clara

  • State Allows Playgrounds to Remain Open: Today, the State of California announced that playgrounds may remain open to facilitate physically distanced personal health and wellness through outdoor exercise. The California Department of Public Health guidance on playgrounds remains in effect.
  • State Announces Temporary Tax Relief and $500M in Grants to Assist Struggling Businesses: Last week, Governor Newsom announced California will provide temporary tax relief and a new grant programfor businesses impacted by COVID-19. The temporary tax relief includes an automatic 3 month income tax extension for taxpayers filing less than $1 million in sales tax and broader opportunities for businesses to enter into interest-free payment arrangements.

    The State is also increasing funding for the California Rebuilding Fund, a low interest loan program to help impacted small businesses rebuild from the economic crisis. Start the pre-application process now.

    The Governor also announced the creation of a $500 million COVID Relief Grant program administered by the Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) for small businesses that have been impacted by health and safety restrictions implemented as a result of the pandemic. Funds will be awarded to intermediaries with established networks of Community Development Financial Institutions to distribute grants of up to $25,000 to small businesses and non-profits throughout the state by early 2021. CalOSBA is in the process of developing the program and will make it available to small businesses as soon as possible. For updates on the availability of this funding, visit the State’s Office of Business website.

  • Free Flu Shots Every Saturday: The County will continue to offer free flu shots from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Saturday through Dec. 12 at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds. The car entrance for general parking at the Fairgrounds site is Gate D, 2542 Monterey Rd., San José. No appointments are needed. Masks are required and all are welcome regardless of insurance or immigration status. Flu shots are recommended every year, but they are even more critical in the time of COVID. Get your flu shot right away to prevent catching the flu and spreading it to coworkers, family members, or people you live with. For more information in multiple languages see here: English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese. Flu shots are also available at Valley Medical Center pharmacies on weekdays. No appointment is needed. See here for more information and a schedule.

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A person’s risk for COVID-19 is not related to race, ethnicity or culture. City employees must abide by the Discrimination and Harassment policy, and treat colleagues and members of the public with courtesy and respect. Discrimination and/or Harassment of any kind is a violation of the policies and will not be tolerated.