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:
Sheltering the Homeless Key to Stopping Spread of the Coronavirus
A Peninsula hotel now serves as the temporary home for homeless people as the County of San Mateo seeks to prevent a surge in coronavirus cases among a community at higher risk from the deadly virus.
“We – and I mean all of us – are facing an unprecedented public health emergency,” said Ken Cole, director of the County’s Human Services Agency, which oversees its efforts to end homelessness. “We have an obligation to help the most vulnerable members of our community and, at the same time, do all we can to contain the spread of the coronavirus.”
The County has secured at least 60 rooms at what is being called Bayfront Station as temporary housing for homeless individuals who have no home to shelter in place. This the first hotel to open for this purpose in San Mateo County and is a result of a collaboration between the County, the hotel owner and Samaritan House, which operates the site under contract with the County. Read more at: https://cmo.smcgov.org/sheltering-homeless-key-stopping-spread-coronavirus
Measures Implemented at Farmers' Markets to Prevent Spread of COVID-19
Farmers' markets, considered an essential business under the Health Officer’s Order, are implementing new Environmental Health measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Shoppers should expect to see more distance between booths, and no sampling of food or touching produce. And, everyone will be required to wear a face covering.
Some markets have implemented even more measures to keep people and produce safe:
• Portola Valley Farmers’ Market offers a drive-thru pick up of online orders.
• San Mateo Farmers Market asks customers to line up and point to the produce desired.
• Daly City has sneeze guards in front of berry booths to protect the produce.
Please check https://agwm.smcgov.org/find-certified-farmers-market before visiting to verify that your local farmers' market is open.
County Manager’s Media Briefing on YouTube
Today’s media briefing on San Mateo County’s response to COVID-19 hosted by San Mateo County Manager Mike Callagy can be watched at https://youtu.be/YpP1Y6cOQuA
View the briefing for Wednesday, April 22, here https://youtu.be/NLwGulxzEyQ
San Mateo County COVID-19 Cases
San Mateo County Health has updated the number of positive cases to 989 as of April 23, 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.