The country is entering its third year of the COVID-19 pandemic and has moved from lockdowns and closures to vaccine mandates. Here’s a look at which Silicon Valley agencies have mandated COVID shots for their workers. Santa Clara County Santa Clara County was one of the first agencies in the South Bay to mandate vaccines for its roughly 22,000...
San Jose museum helps vaccinate children for COVID in playful setting
With California set to require K-12 students to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to attend in-person classes, pending full FDA approval, the Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose is stepping to help—keeping vaccination rates for Santa Clara County kids consistent with the region. Museum Executive Director Marilee Jennings was concerned about some parents taking a wait and...
San Jose homeless shelter sees COVID outbreak as omicron spreads
A COVID-19 outbreak has made its way to the Julian Street Inn housing site in downtown San Jose. This week, seven out of the 54 residents who live at the congregate shelter for homeless residents tested positive for COVID-19. This comes as positive infections are climbing in Santa Clara County as the omicron variant spreads....
Santa Clara County leads region on COVID booster shots
Some Santa Clara County residents are rushing to get COVID-19 booster shots as infections from the omicron variant rise and the effectiveness of initial shots wanes. Following the announcement of the first omicron infection in Santa Clara County earlier this month, on Dec. 16 health officials reported 44% of eligible residents had received a booster...
Santa Clara County requires COVID boosters for workers in high-risk settings
Some workers in Santa Clara County will soon need a COVID-19 booster shot in order to continue working in high-risk settings. Santa Clara County health officials announced a new, limited health order Tuesday that requires some employees to have a booster shot as a condition of employment. The mandate will effect all public and private employees...
COVID testing sites in Silicon Valley overwhelmed by demand
Amid increasing concerns over the transmissibility of the omicron variant, many Santa Clara County residents in the South Bay are scrambling to find free COVID-19 testing during the holidays. “We were told that there would be a surge during the holidays, and we’re definitely seeing that surge now since at least (last) Thursday,” Sherie Call,...
San Jose mayor wants city workers to get COVID boosters
San Jose city employees may have another vaccine requirement coming their way. On Tuesday, Mayor Sam Liccardo introduced a proposal to require all city employees to get COVID-19 booster shots as a condition of employment. Visitors to city-owned facilities such as the SAP Center and San Jose McEnery Convention Center would also need a third...
Santa Clara County reports first COVID omicron infection
The omicron variant of the coronavirus has been found in Santa Clara County, prompting health officials to urge residents to get their booster shots. According to the county, the infected individual showed symptoms on Nov. 30 and got tested Dec. 1. The person, who traveled to Florida, is fully vaccinated, but did not receive a...
Santa Clara County businesses brace for COVID once again
After almost two years of struggling through the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses may not be able to survive another hit caused by the omicron variant. To help small businesses endure, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved $20 million in federal pandemic relief grants on Tuesday. The details are still being worked out. Join...
Homeless shelter, advocate clash over COVID protocols
An outbreak of COVID-19 infections in a county-owned shelter has prompted concerns from a homeless advocate who lives there, even though managers claim they’re following safety protocols. The Sunnyvale Family Shelter, owned by Santa Clara County and run by nonprofit HomeFirst, saw five cases of COVID in November, HomeFirst confirmed with San José Spotlight. The...