Weekly Roundup for July 1, 2022

Today’s digest provides helpful and important updates on the following: 1) Weekly update on COVID-19 in Sonoma County; 2) Drought and Fire tips and resources; and 3) ‘SoCo Connect’ is now live, and other County of Sonoma news

Weekly Update on COVID-19 in Sonoma County

With federal relief funding set to expire at the end of the month, Sonoma County is completing preparations for transitioning its COVID-19 response to a new phase, one focused on providing critical resources for vulnerable communities. The transition moves the county’s COVID work from an emergency response to a long-term disease control initiative within the county’s Department of Health Services.

Read the full press release here:
https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/sonoma-county-covid-response-transitions-to-new-phase-as-federal-funding-expires?fbclid=IwAR2YTboSnFK96s1MpDSTGsAz90gjroTJFv2N5gJotJE3KrYOGoRWtoPyPd4

Plus, this week’s COVID-19 community briefing, including an update on the transition underway within the county’s response unit, is now available for viewing:

English: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nc_YE9SeeJA
Spanish: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSQlu9i4ySs

County health officials continue to encourage facial coverings in indoor settings, and particularly during upcoming summer gatherings and events. All persons with COVID-19 symptoms, regardless of vaccination status or previous infection, should self-isolate and test as soon as possible. Knowing one is infected early during self-isolation enables earlier access to treatment options, particularly for those who may be at risk for severe illness.

Free at-home COVID-19 tests are available to summer camps and schools serving K-12 students. Weekly requests are due at noon on Fridays through June 17.

Camps and local education agencies can learn more and apply here:
https://labsupport.powerappsportals.us/cdcotc/

Questions regarding this program may be sent by email: schoolOTC@cdph.ca.gov.

Also, a third order of free, at-home COVID tests is available for all U.S. homes, and may be ordered here:
https://www.covid.gov/tests

Schedule a vaccination or booster appointment here:
https://socoemergency.org/emergency/novel-coronavirus/vaccine-information/clinics/

Schedule a testing appointment here:
https://socoemergency.org/emergency/novel-coronavirus/testing-and-tracing/

Emergency Preparedness Tips and Resources 

Drought is Here. Save Water. One easy way to save water is to remember to turn the faucet off when you are washing your hands or brushing your teeth. Also, when you are waiting for the water to run hot, grab a bucket and collect the water to use for your indoor or outdoor plants. To learn more, join Sonoma Water and the County of Sonoma on Zoom for the July 7 town hall. These monthly updates provide the latest information on drought conditions, answer questions and explore key topics, including the impact of the drought on groundwater, recreation, water quality, agriculture and wildlife.

Register for the July 7 town hall here:
https://sonomacounty.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_l2UFucwXQmu5KHf7q4wEOw

Drought town halls occur the first Thursday of every month at 4 p.m. from June through November.

For more information, please visit: https://www.sonomawater.org/drought

Also, with fire season underway, it is strongly recommended that residents subscribe to SoCoAlert and Nixle warning systems to receive alerts through landline calls, telephone devices for the deaf, cell phone text messages or verbal messages and email.

Sign up here: https://socoemergency.org/get-ready/sign-up/

• Plus, make sure you know your official evacuation zone:
  https://socoemergency.org/get-ready/evacuation-map/
• Learn how to prevent equipment sparked fires due to lawn mowing, trailer chains, or driving on dry grass or brush, or with low tire pressure:
  https://www.readyforwildfire.org/prevent-wildfire/equipment-use/
• Defensible space is an essential buffer between a building on your property and the grass, trees, shrubs, or any wildland area that surround it. Learn more:
  https://www.readyforwildfire.org/prepare-for-wildfire/get-ready/defensible-space/

County of Sonoma Latest News

Sonoma County launches ‘SoCo Connect’ public reporting and tracking system for non-emergency service requests:
https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/sonoma-county-launches-soco-connect-public-reporting-and-tracking-system-for-non-emergency-service-requests

Kindergarten readiness continues to decline in Sonoma County, opportunity gap persists
https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/kindergarten-readiness-continues-to-decline-in-sonoma-county-opportunity-gap-persists

Want to read more about what we're up to at the County of Sonoma?

Sign up for the SoCo Correspondent monthly newsletter here:
https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/Newsroom/SoCo-Correspondent/