COVID: Five Things You Need to Know 05/19/21

It’s Wednesday, May 19th, and here is the latest installment of 5 Things You Need to Know About COVID-19. 

First, Santa Clara County Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody has issued a new, more locally-focused health order. Businesses will no longer be required to maximize telework or submit Social Distancing Protocols paperwork to the County Public Health Department. However, businesses will be required to determine the vaccination status of employees. The Leadership Group is in conversation with the County to better understand these reporting requirements. In the meantime, please reference the County’s FAQ for specific questions regarding the order.  The new order, effective today Wednesday, May 19th, supersedes the October 5th risk reduction order. Santa Clara County, along with Santa Cruz County, entered the least restrictive “Yellow Tier” under the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy today as well. You can review a summary of the changes here. Have questions regarding the new health order or having trouble viewing the file? Email me at kwortham@svlg.org. 

Second, California is waiting until June 15th reopening date to update mask guidance. Despite the CDC’s recent update to mask guidance, the California Department of Public Health announced Monday that the State will wait until the June 15th reopening date to “give Californians time to prepare for this change while we continue our relentless focus on delivering vaccines, particularly in underserved communities.” 

Third, longtime SVLG partner, the Healthier Kids Foundation is running a vaccine registration hotline. Call 1 (833) 560-0560 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to get registered for a vaccine appointment in Santa Clara County. Staff speak English, Spanish, and Vietnamese to help schedule appointments for residents and workers aged 16 and up. The hotline can also share information about evening clinics and transportation.

Fourth, the Santa Clara County Public Health Department is now offering partnerships to provide on-site vaccine pop-ups with businesses. The County provides vaccines and clinical staff, outreach materials and signage, and training for any employer or staff assisting with the event. If your company is interested, please reach out to covidvaxprepare@phd.sccgov.org.  

And fifth, children ages 12 through 15 may now receive a COVID-19 vaccine. The CDC gave the Pfizer vaccine approval to be used in children ages 12 through 15 thanks to a clinical trial in March that showed it was 100% effective for this age group. This is another turning point in the COVID-19 pandemic as more people can become protected from the disease.