Redwood City – The County of San Mateo continues to work to protect public health and safety in response to the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19.
The County of San Mateo’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) remains open to coordinate countywide response and communications in response to the situation. The EOC’s Joint Information Center will provide daily status reports Monday through Friday until further notice. Today’s report:
Health Officer’s Phase 2 Order Allows for Childcare with Safety Requirements
San Mateo County’s new shelter in place order, issued by Health Officer Dr. Scott Morrow, allows childcare facilities of all types to operate with specific safety measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
According to the order, licensed and unlicensed childcare facilities, including camps and other programs, must adhere to the specific safety requirements that limit the co-mingling of various households and create stable childcare groups (a kind of “second household”).
To minimize interactions and to keep the childcare “households” stable, the order doesn’t allow children to attend two separate care settings at the same and prohibits caregivers from caring for more than one group of children at the same time.
See news release and more information https://bit.ly/2WPKPy2
Public Works Week Highlights Essential Work of County’s DPW During COVID-19 Crisis
The Board of Supervisors at its May 5, 2020, meeting proclaimed the week of May 17 – 23, 2020, as Public Works Week to recognize the many accomplishments of public works including designing, constructing and maintaining infrastructure for the public and serving in a first responder role in addressing natural disaster events such as flooding, landslides, and earthquakes.
During the COVID-19 crisis public works staff is often called upon to advise on the most effective and expedient way to attack challenges faced during an emergency situation.
"We’re very familiar with the county’s facilities and infrastructure and can provide input on locations, logistics, and feasibility of standing up many services needed to maintain the safety of our residents and staff," said Public Works Director Jim Porter who is Planning Branch Chief in the Emergency Operations Center as the County of San Mateo responds to the COVID-19 crisis.
See the resolution https://bit.ly/3e5Mcyw
Read the County’s appreciation of Public Works on Facebook https://bit.ly/2ZrhEmD
COVID-19 Testing Available in San Mateo County Starting with Current Health Provider
Residents who think they may have been exposed to COVID-19 have options for obtaining testing beginning with their current health care provider or clinic.
For those who don’t have access to a regular provider, COVID-19 testing sites operated by Verily are open at San Mateo County Event Center site on Mondays and Tuesdays, at Jefferson Union High School District Offices in Daly City on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and at the YMCA in East Palo Alto on Fridays and Saturdays.
Testing is free and available without restrictions though reservations are required and can fill up fast. Make a reservation at https://bit.ly/2xk73OL
County Manager’s Media Briefing
Today’s media briefing on San Mateo County’s response to COVID-19 hosted by San Mateo County Manager Mike Callagy can be seen at https://youtu.be/Zbcm7pmmByI
View past briefings and subscribe to the County’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/sanmateocountygov
San Mateo County COVID-19 Cases
San Mateo County Health has updated the number of positive cases to 1,697 as of May 19, 2020.
County Health provides detailed information on cases by age group and date and deaths by age group. Learn more at https://www.smchealth.org/coronavirus
Call Center
Residents with non-medical, non-emergency questions about the coronavirus can call 211 at any time, day or night. Callers from landlines and cellular telephones located within San Mateo County are connected with a trained service professional from 211, a confidential service available in 180 languages.