On Tuesday this week, the State moved Santa Clara County from Tier 1 (Purple) to Tier 2 (Red) of their new framework, making our County one of only a handful of large counties in the state to be allowed to open certain business activities. Among the operations permitted to resume indoors locally are personal care services (such as nail salons and massage); gyms and fitness centers at up to 10% capacity; shopping malls at 50% capacity; and museums, zoos, and aquariums at 25% capacity.  Most significantly, our movement to the Red Tier makes the reopening of schools more likely.  If the County remains on the Red Tier for 14 days (through September 22^nd), schools would be allowed to open for in-person instruction, so long as they follow all State and County requirements.

Remaining on the Red Tier is far from a guarantee, however.  Santa Clara County only narrowly made it under the case rate threshold needed to enter the Red Tier.  This was due largely to the volume of testing occurring in our County, as the State now provides an adjustment factor to a county’s case rate based on how much testing is being done. Staying in the Red Tier (or advancing to a more permissive tier) will require maintaining and expanding testing levels and continued vigilance on the part of all residents to follow social distancing measures.

With the movement at the State level, it is important to note that the County’s July 2 Risk Reduction Order remains in effect.  Businesses and activities still must comply with all general and industry-specific requirements set forth by the County and State, including having a Social Distancing Protocol on file and displayed.  As always, the stricter rules apply, whether those are set by the County or by the State.  While most activities allowed in the Red Tier are now permissible in Santa Clara County, there are a few that are still prohibited by the local Order due to the substantial risk they present for COVID transmission.  These include indoor movie theaters, indoor gatherings at places of worship, and indoor dining.

See here for a one page chart that explains what activities are allowed under the Red Tier locally.  To view the press event where additional details were provided, see here.

These past couple weeks have brought some encouraging news.  But, COVID is still very much with us. While case rates have fortunately stabilized, they remain at a level that is still much higher than is safe.  We have more work ahead, particularly as we enter the colder seasons.

COVID-19 Cases in Santa Clara County

Over the last seven days, the County of Santa Clara Public Health Department announced 23 new deaths from COVID-19, bringing the total number of deaths to 280 in Santa Clara County. Total cases have reached 19,417. Our 7 day rolling average of new cases currently stands at 162 cases per day.

Based on the most recent 7 days with full testing data, there have been an average of 6,401 tests performed each day with an average positivity rate of 3.0%.

As of yesterday, there were 105 hospitalizations due to COVID-19 and an additional 15 hospitalized patients under investigation. Of these hospitalizations, 40 were in the ICU. The current share of hospital beds with COVID-19 positive or suspected patients is 4.20% (down from 4.62% the week prior).

More data can be found through the Public Health Department’s Data Dashboards.

Unhealthy Air Quality and Spare the Air Alert

Due to smoke from burning fires, air quality remains an ongoing concern and Bay Area communities are experiencing unhealthy air quality measurements. A Spare the Air alert issued by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District has remained in effect for 26 consecutive days and currently is in place through Monday, September 14. Residents are encouraged to monitor the air quality in their area. Information on conditions where you live are available at www.airnow.gov. When air quality is poor, residents should avoid strenuous outdoor activities and being outdoors for an extended amount of time. For COVID-19 testing, the County offers several drive-through testing locations that allow people to remain in their vehicles to minimize exposure to poor air quality. The drive-through locations can be found at www.sccfreetest.org. See below for additional information on testing options.

County Testing Locations – Week of September 14^th

The community testing program operated by Santa Clara Valley Medical Center (SCVMC) continues to offer drop-in and appointment-based testing at multiple locations across the county.  Testing is free and available to anyone, regardless of insurance or immigration status.

The County’s large-scale testing site at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds has expanded its capacity to be able to handle 1,500 appointments per day.  SCVMC also continues to dedicate one of its large testing teams (capacity of 750 tests per day) to provide appointment-based testing on a consistently scheduled, rotating basis to reach each of the cities at least once per month. This rotating testing program will continue into the month of October (see the attached schedule for September and October).  We ask for your assistance in helping spread the word about the availability of these testing options.  To book an appointment at the Fairgrounds or any of the rotating city sites, visit www.sccfreetest.org and click on the “Schedule an Appointment Today” button at the top of the page.  Spanish speakers can visit www.sccfreetest.org/es and click on the “Haga una cita hoy” button.  SCVMC’s appointment-based testing sites can now provide automated test results via a text message – typically just 1 – 2 days after the appointment.

Appointment-Based Testing – Drive-through/Walk-Up/Bike Access:

·       Santa Clara County Fairgrounds – Lot A – 344 Tully Road, San Jose, parking lot across from Gate B and across from the Blue Arch

·       Tuesdays through Fridays from 12pm to 6:30pm

·       Saturdays from 9am to 3pm

Appointment-Based Testing – Walk-up (testing hours 9:30am – 4pm):

·       Sunnyvale, Murphy Park, 260 N. Sunnyvale Ave., Sunnyvale

• Monday, September 14 (Reservations open now)

·       Mountain View, Mountain View Center for Performing Arts, 500 Castro St. Mountain View

• Tuesday, September 15 (Reservations open now)

·       Cupertino, Cupertino Senior Center, 21251 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino

• Wednesday, September 16 (Reservations begin Sunday)

·       Campbell, Orchard City Banquet Hall, 1 W. Campbell Ave., Campbell

• Thursday, September 17 (Reservations begin Monday)

Drop-in Testing – Walk-Up:

·       Overfelt High School, Gymnasium: 1835 Cunningham Ave., San José

·       Tuesday, September 15 through Friday, September 18 from 11am to 5pm

·       South County Annex (formerly Del Buono Elementary): 9300 Wren Avenue, Gilroy

·       Tuesday, September 15 through Friday, September 18 from 11am to 5pm

Governor Newsom Signs Legislation to Support Small Businesses

On September 9^th, Governor Newsom signed two bills into law to assist small businesses grappling with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Small businesses across the state have been hard hit since the start of the COVID-19 crisis. From February to April 2020 there was 22% drop of active business owners nationwide according to data released through the Census Current Population Survey. The new laws will help support businesses in California as they recover from the COVID-19 induced recession.

AB 1577 conforms state law to federal law by excluding from gross income Paycheck Protection Program loans that were forgiven through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and subsequent amendments in the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act of 2020. SB 1447 authorizes a $100 million hiring tax credit program for qualified small businesses. The hiring credit will be equal to $1,000 for each net increase in qualified employees, up to $100,000 for each qualified small business employer.

The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) has compiled some helpful information for employers that can be viewed here.

Traffic Court Update

Due to COVID-19 and significant budget reductions for Fiscal Year 20-21, the traffic hearings scheduled for the Santa Clara Courthouse and the South County courthouse will be continued until at least January 4, 2021. If you have a court date at either Santa Clara or Morgan Hill courthouses scheduled for the remainder of 2020, check the Court’s Public Information site for your new rescheduled court date. You will not be required to appear at your hearing date scheduled for the remainder of 2020. For more information, visit the Superior Court’s COVID-19 Response website or see here.

Virtual Job Fair September 15-17

work2future and San Jose City College will host a 3-day, multiple employer virtual job fair on September 15-17. This free online event will feature employers from in demand industries such as business, finance, technology, healthcare, government, advanced manufacturing, and construction. Registration and additional information can be found at http://bit.ly/job-extravaganza.

Santa Clara County Live Public Health Briefings

The Public Health Department continues to provide Santa Clara County residents with informational updates several mornings each week on its Facebook page.  Briefings are provided in multiple languages.  This past week’s briefings included:

Resources and Information for our Immigrant Communities (Spanish):  The impact of COVID-19 has been difficult for everyone in Santa Clara County, especially our immigrant communities. County staff talks about the resources available to the community and the importance of the 2020 Census.

September is National Preparedness Month (English):  The month of September is recognized as National Preparedness Month. Locally, we recognize it as Community Preparedness Month. The SCU and CZU Lightning Complex Fires as well as the COVID-19 pandemic remind us to always prepare for the unexpected. County staff share resources and discuss the importance of always being prepared.

Safe Reopening of Nail Salons Under Red Tier (Vietnamese):  A conversation with County staff provides information on how nail salons must prepare for safe reopening under the Red Tier of the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy.

County’s Risk Level Moved from Purple to Red (English):  Santa Clara County’s Risk Level moved from Purple to Red. County staff discuss what operating in the Red Tier means to local businesses and organizations and the important role the public plays in getting us to the next level.

County’s Risk Level Moved from Purple to Red (Spanish):  Santa Clara County’s Risk Level moved from Purple to Red on the State’s County Activity Status. County staff discuss what operating in the Red Tier means to local businesses and organizations and the important role the public plays in getting us to the next level.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership during these difficult times,

Liaison Officer

County of Santa Clara Emergency Operations Center

Website: http://sccphd.org/coronavirus