HEALTH ADVISORY from the Santa Clara County Public Health Officer: Monkeypox Infections in U.S. Residents Without Travel to Endemic Areas DATE: May 25, 2022 TO: All community providers FROM: Sara H. Cody, MD Health Officer George S. Han, MD, MPH Deputy Health Officer The County of Santa Clara Public Health Department (SCCPHD) is monitoring the spread of monkeypox outside of endemic countries in central or western Africa. Currently there are more than a hundred confirmed cases across a dozen countries, mostly in Europe and Canada. As of May 24, 2022, the U.S. has at least one confirmed and eight probable cases, including a probable case in Sacramento County in an individual with international travel. We note that: 1) many cases ... May 25, 2022 Public Health Monkeypox, Public Health, SCC, SCCPHD 0 0 Comment Read More »
County of Santa Clara Universal Indoor Mask Requirement to Transition to a Recommendation March 2 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 1, 2022 State Indoor Masking Requirements Still Apply in Certain Settings Regardless of Vaccination Status SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIF. – The County of Santa Clara Public Health Department announced that all masking metrics have been met and therefore indoor masking will no longer be required beginning March 2. However, the Public Health Department and the California Department of Public Health strongly recommend that the public continue to wear masks in all indoor public spaces. The California Department of Public Health continues to require masking in higher-risk settings such as public ... March 3, 2022 COVID19, Public Health Indoor Masking, Mask Requirement, Public Health, SCC 0 0 Comment Read More »
County of Santa Clara Public Health Department Launches New Program Providing Free HIV Self-Test Kits by Mail SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA. – The County of Santa Clara Public Health Department has launched a new program that provides free HIV home self-test kits mailed to eligible people who request them. The program aims to increase access to HIV testing for those disproportionately impacted by HIV. The program plans to distribute 850 tests in the first year. State funding of $20,000 from the California Department of Public Health covers the costs of these HIV self-test kits. In addition, for people with health insurance, a new state law requires health plans to ... February 18, 2022 Public Health HIV, Public Health, Santa Clara County, SCC, Self-Test 0 0 Comment Read More »
Get Your Booster Before The Holidays! SANTA CLARA COUNTY, PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT -- With the holidays approaching and vaccine protection decreasing with time, residents are encouraged to get a COVID-19 booster shot now. Protecting families, schools, workplaces, and ourselves becomes even more important with the Thanksgiving holiday just two weeks away and so many people traveling and gathering with family and friends. While community case rates in the County are currently flat, rates elsewhere in the state are steadily increasing and the initial vaccine protection is proving to decrease over time. "We want to safeguard the ... November 17, 2021 Public Health COVID-19, Holidays, Public Health, Vaccines 0 0 Comment Read More »
COVID-19 Vaccination Shots Now Available for Children Ages 5-11 in Santa Clara County SANTA CLARA COUNTY, Calif. – The County of Santa Clara is now providing COVID-19 vaccinations for children ages 5-11 following the November 2 approval from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The County has been prepared to administer vaccinations as soon as the federal government provided authorization. The first vaccinations in the County for the 5-11 age group began taking place Wednesday morning. Currently, the Pfizer vaccine is the only option for this newly approved age group, which numbers just over 167,000 members of our community. All children ages ... November 4, 2021 COVID19, Public Health COVID-19, Public Health, Vaccines 0 0 Comment Read More »