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Press Releases

January 2023

• 1/20/2023 - OptumServe Testing Sites Closing in Santa Cruz County   English  Spanish

December 2022

• 12/15/2022 - With Respiratory Viruses Circulating, 12 Bay Area Health Officials Recommend Actions To Stay Healthy for the Holidays   English  Spanish

November 2022 (click to view)

• 11/30/2022 - Santa Cruz County Public Health Urge Individuals with Mild Respiratory Infection, Other Non-Serious Illness to Avoid Trips to Hospital Emergency Departments   English  Spanish
• 11/23/2022 - Santa Cruz County Public Health Urges Residents to Take Preventative Measures Against Circulating Viruses This Holiday Season   English  Spanish

October 2022 (click to view)

• 10/21/2022 - Bivalent COVID-19 Boosters Now Available in Santa Cruz County for Children Aged 5 and Up   English  Spanish

September 2022 (click to view)

• 9/7/2022 - Bivalent COVID-19 Boosters Now Available in Santa Cruz County   English  Spanish

July 2022 (click to view)

• 7/28/2022 - COVID-19 Testing Moves From 500 Westridge Drive to the Watsonville Veterans Memorial Building   English  Spanish

June 2022 (click to view)

• 6/21/2022 - Infants and Children Ages 6 Months and Older Now Eligible to Receive COVID-19 Vaccine   English  Spanish

May 2022 (click to view)

• 5/26/2022 - COVID-19 Treatments Available at Test To Treat Locations in Santa Cruz County   English  Spanish
• 5/13/2022 - Bay Area Health Officers Urge Public to Take Precautions as COVID Levels Rise   English  Spanish
• 5/9/2022 - Proclamation - Proclaiming May 6-12, 2022 as National Nurses Week in Santa Cruz County

March 2022 (click to view)

• 3/22/2022 - Watsonville Covid-19 Vaccine Clinic Closing   English  Spanish
• 3/8/2022 - Two Year Anniversary of First Confirmed Covid-19 Case   English  Spanish
• 3/7/2022 - Felton Covid-19 Vaccine Clinic Closing   English  Spanish

February 2022 (click to view)

• 2/14/2022 - Ten Covid-19 Deaths Added to Dashboard   English  Spanish
• 2/9/2022 - Twelve Bay Area Health Officers to Lift Most Indoor Mask Mandates on February 16   English  Spanish
• 2/7/2022COVID-19 Testing Moves from Ramsay Park to 500 Westridge Drive

January 2022 (click to view)

• 1/21/2022COVID-19 Surge Employer Town Hall - Jan. 24
• 1/14/2022Santa Cruz County and County Office of Education Partner to Increase Testing Capacity
• 1/7/2022Pfizer COVID-19 Booster Approved for Ages 12-15
• 1/5/2022Santa Cruz County Public Health Urge Individuals With Mild Coronavirus Cases, Other Non-Serious Illnesses to Avoid Trips to Hospital Emergency Departments

December 2021 (click to view)

• 12/31/2021Santa Cruz County Aligns with Updated I/Q Guidance
• 12/30/2021Santa Cruz County Expands Testing Capacity
• 12/21/2021Omicron Variant Identified in Santa Cruz County
• 12/17/2021Bay Area Health Officers Urge Boosters to Protect Against Omicron Variant

November 2021(click to view)

• 11/24/2021Proclamation of Appreciation – Recognizing Santa Cruz County Community Partners for Pandemic Vaccination Efforts
• 11/19/2021Santa Cruz County Health Officer Issues Order Requiring Use of Face Coverings Indoors
• 11/10/2021County Covid-19 Campaign Wins Awards
• 11/3/2021Boosters Strongly Urged for All Eligible Community Members

October 2021(click to view)

• 10/15/2021Recommendations on How to Celebrate Halloween and Día De Los Muertos Safely and Prevent Spreading COVID-19 Among Friends and Neighbors
• 10/15/2021COVID-19 Testing inside the Civic Auditorium Ending October 15, 2021
• 10/14/2021Additional COVID-19 Death
• 10/07/2021216th COVID-19 Death
• 10/04/2021Two Additional COVID-19 Deaths

September 2021(click to view)

• 9/29/2021Santa Cruz County Moves to Moderate (Yellow) Transmission, Indoor Face Covering Mandate Lifted
• 9/22/2021Additional COVID-19 Death
• 9/21/2021Additional COVID-19 Death
• 9/16/2021Santa Cruz County Announces 211th COVID-19 Death
• 9/10/2021Santa Cruz County Releases COVID-19 Safety Recommendations for Youth Sports and Activities
• 9/7/2021Santa Cruz County Public Health Collaborates with Local Chefs to Promote COVID-19 Vaccinations

August 2021(click to view)

• 8/30/2021Santa Cruz County Public Health Expands Testing Capacity
• 8/27/2021Temporary Closure of Vaccination Site
• 8/26/2021Bay Area Health Officers Reaffirm Support for Full In-Person School
• 8/25/2021Additional Covid-19 Death
• 8/24/2021Board Votes to Require County Staff Vaccinations
• 8/23/2021Pfizer-Biontech COVID-19 Vaccine Receives FDA Approval
• 8/19/2021Santa Cruz County Health Officer Issues Order Requiring Use of Face Coverings in Indoor Settings
• 8/18/2021Symptomatic Residents Urged To Seek Testing
• 8/9/2021Additional Covid Deaths
• 8/5/2021County COVID-19 Cases Increasing due to Delta Variant

July 2021(click to view)

• 7/19/2021Counties of Monterey, Napa, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Recommend Indoor Masking in Public Places as Extra Protection Against Increases in COVID-19  English  Spanish
• 7/14/2021MAH, Public Health Join to Protect and Honor Community
• 7/13/2021County Announces Funding Opportunity for COVID Vaccine Outreach
• 7/7/2021Renters, Landlords Encouraged to Apply for Rent Relief

June 2021(click to view)

• 6/29/2021Delta Variant Identified in Santa Cruz County
• 6/7/2021County Debuts Public Vaccination Dashboard
• 6/3/2021Bay Area Health Officers Support Full In-person School this Fall
• 6/2/2021County Launches Rehousing Wave

May 2021 (click to view)

• 5/28/2021Bay Area Health Officers Joint Statement: Children and Adults Can Now Get Other Vaccinations at Same Time as COVID-19 Vaccines
• 5/27/2021Santa Cruz County Medical Reserve Corps is Awarded a $10,000 Grant
• 5/19/2021Bay Area Health Officers Support California Face Masking Guidance
• 5/18/2021Santa Cruz County Moved To Yellow Tier
• 5/4/2021California Department Of Public Health Updates Face Covering Guidance

April 2021 (click to view)

• 4/26/2021Vaccine Interest Survey for Homebound Individuals
• 4/25/2021Joint Statement of the Bay Area Health Officers on the Safe Administration of the Johnson & Johnson Vaccine

March 2021 (click to view)

• 3/30/2021Santa Cruz County Moved to Orange Tier
• 3/22/2021Variant Identified in Santa Cruz County
• 3/15/2021Bay Area Health Officers’ Statement About COVID-19 Vaccines
• 3/15/2021Rent Relief Program Launches
• 3/9/2021Santa Cruz County Moves to Red Tier
• 3/3/2021Updated Youth and Adult Sports Guidance

February 2021 (click to view)

• 2/23/2021Board implements $16 Million for Local Rent Relief
• 2/22/2021Santa Cruz County Announces Expansion of COVID-19 Vaccinations
• 2/16/2021Medical Reserve Corps Tuns 16
• 2/8/2021Watsonville Mass Vaccination Site Launches
• 2/5/2021Major Improvements in Oral Health Revealed and Hero Awards Presented at Oral Health Summit 2021
• 2/3/2021Vaccine Supply Shortages Prompt Public Health Leaders Throughout the Bay Area to Urge Prioritization of Older Adults for Vaccination

January 2021 (click to view)

• 1/20/2021Photo Opportunity: Vaccine Pod
• 1/20/2021County, Safeway Form Vaccine Partnership
• 1/12/2021County Seeks Rental Assistance on Behalf of Residents

December 2020 (click to view)

• 12/18/2020North County Community Testing Site Available
• 12/16/2020Regional Stay-At-Home Order in Effect Tomorrow
• 12/15/2020Joint Statement of the Bay Area Health Officers on COVID-19 Vaccination Distribution
• 12/10/2020Oral Health Hero Award Nominations Open
• 12/10/2020Covid-19 Vaccine Plan Submitted
• 12/9/2020 CA Notify App Available Dec. 10
• 12/2/2020Expanded Community Covid-19 Testing Available

November 2020 (click to view)

• 11/16/2020County Moves Back to Purple Tier
• 11/13/2020Covid-19 Town Hall for Local Employers
• 11/10/2020County Returns To Red Tier
• 11/09/2020Health Officials From Eight Bay Area Counties Issue Recommendations for Safer Holidays and Travel
• 11/02/2020Santa Cruz County Offers Election Day COVID-19 Safety Tips

October 2020 (click to view)

• 10/29/2020County Awards $619,900 in CARES Act Health Equity Grants
• 10/28/2020Additional Covid-19 Rental Assistance Grants Available
• 10/27/2020Santa Cruz County Moved to Orange Tier
• 10/15/20Bay Area Health Officers Urge Community to Get Flu Shots
• 10/14/20State Releases New Guidance For Private Gatherings
• 10/7/20State, Local Health Officials Addressing Watsonville Covid-19 Outbreak
• 10/5/20Application for Covid-19 Rent/Utility Support Reopens

September 2020 (click to view)

• 9/30/20Public Officials Urge Everyone to get Vaccinated for the Flu
• 9/28/20Joint Statement of the Bay Area Health Officers on Halloween - Spanish Version
• 9/16/20Santa Cruz County Reports an 8th COVID-19 Related Death
• 9/8/20Santa Cruz County Moves to Red Tier
• 9/2/20Reminder: Labor Day Beach Closures
• 9/1/20Small Business, Non-Profit Covid-19 Grants Available
• 9/1/20Rent and Utility Support Available Due to Covid-19 Impacts

August 2020 (click to view)

• 8/28/20Governor Releases New Framework for Reopening
• 8/19/20Santa Cruz County, Family Health Unit AWARDED $172,074.60 ACEs Aware Grant
• 8/18/20Labor Day Weekend Beach Closures
• 8/17/20County Removed from Data Monitoring List
• 8/14/20Santa Cruz County Reports Four COVID-19 Related Deaths
• 8/7/20Face Covering Sign Available for Download
• 8/7/20County, UCSC Partner to Further Expand Covid-19 Testing
• 8/4/20Urgency Ordinance for Health Order Violations Passes
• 8/3/20Blue Check Sign Program Launches

July 2020 (click to view)

• 7/27/20Santa Cruz County Placed on Monitoring List
• 7/27/20Covid-19 Employer Toolkit Available
• 7/20/20Salvation Army Shelter Temporarily Closed
• 7/14/20Santa Cruz County Friday Night Live (FNL) Youth in Action Summit (YAS) Virtual Event and Summer Internship
• 7/13/20California Closes Indoor Activities
• 7/13/20Virtual Conference Discusses Latinx COVID-19 Impacts
• 7/10/20Great Plates Delivered Extended

June 2020 (click to view)

• 6/25/20County Announces Third COVID-19 Death
• 6/19/20"Screaming Hand" Safety Signage Available
• 6/15/20Expanded Personal Care Services May Resume Friday
• 6/10/20Great Plates Delivered Extended
• 6/9/20Revised Health Order Removes Lodging Restrictions
• 6/5/20Great Plates Vendors Announced, Extension Sought
• 6/2/20Restaurants and Businesses Given Outdoor Options
• 6/1/20Limited In-Person County Services Resume

May 2020 (click to view)

• 5/30/20County Restaurants, Hair Salons May Resume Services
• 5/29/20Board Approves Application to Move into Late Stage 2
• 5/27/20Special Board Meeting
• 5/26/20New Health Order Allows Certain Activities to Resume
• 5/22/20Public Health Monitoring Covid-19 Clusters
• 5/21/20SAVE Lives Santa Cruz County Launches Website
• 5/15/20Advisory on Local Business and Other Activities
• 5/9/20Save Lives Economic Recovery Council Announced
• 5/7/20Watsonville Specimen Collection Site to Launch
• 5/6/20Health Officer to Amend Shelter-In-Place Order
• 5/5/20 County Seeks Vendors for Great Plates Program

April 2020 (click to view)

• 4/30/20 Health Officer Allows Certain Activities to Resume
• 4/29/20 Additional Beach Activity Limits During Peak Hours
• 4/29/20 County Announces COVID-19 Community Recovery Efforts
• 4/28/20 Hotel Rooms Available for Local Health Care Workers
• 4/24/20 Limited Beach Access
• 4/23/20 County Completes COVID-19 Readiness Assessment of Skilled Nursing Facilities
• 4/23/20 Face Coverings Order Available
• 4/21/20 Health Officer to Issue Face Covering Order
• 4/14/20 County Confirms second death from COVID-19
• 4/9/20 Religious Observances During the Shelter in Place Order
• 4/7/20 Parks and beaches to be temporarily closed throughout Santa Cruz County
  - Read the Order
• 4/6/20 County Identifies Alternate Care Sites
• 4/3/20 New Public Health Information on Facial Coverings
• 4/2/20 Recreation opportunities during COVID-19
• 4/2/20 Vacation rentals must comply with shelter-in-place order
• 4/1/20 Current COVID-19 Santa Cruz County Case Breakdown
• 4/1/20 Task force to address homelessness COVID-19 response

March 2020 (click to view)

• 3/30/20 COVID-19 tax penalty waiver form available
• 3/29/20 County Confirms First Death From COVID-19
  PRESS CONFERENCE
• 3/26/20 County Parks Friends launches virtual children’s activities
• 3/26/20 County Seeks PPE Donations
• 3/25/20 ORDER TO ALL LABORATORIES TO REPORT ALL COVID-19 TEST INFORMATION
• 3/24/20 Board Enacts Temporary Eviction Moratorium
• 3/23/20 County Releases PPE Stockpile to Local Health Care Facilities
• 3/23/20 County Board Meeting to Comply With Social Distancing
• 3/23/20 Guidance for Distribution of Scarce Resources (including PPE)
• 3/23/20 Avoid Crowding at Santa Cruz Beaches, Travelers Advised to Stay Home
• 3/22/20 County Releases Guidance for Homeless Services Providers
• 3/20/20 RESIDENTIAL HEALTHCARE FACILITIES ORDER TO RESTRICT ACCESS BY ALL NON-ESSENTIAL PERSONS
  English Español   What does this restriction mean?  English Español