Following the State’s weekly tier status update, Marin County remains in the Orange Tier 3 (Moderate Risk) for another week. In order to move to the next less restrictive tier, we must spend at least 21 days in Tier 3 and meet additional requirements before advancing.
Yesterday afternoon, Governor Gavin Newsom outlined the state’s next step in the COVID-19 pandemic recovery: moving beyond the Blueprint for a Safer Economy.
On June 15, California will fully open its economy if two criteria are met:
- If vaccine supply is sufficient for Californians 16 years and older who wish to be inoculated; and
- If hospitalization rates are stable and low
Everyday activities will be allowed and businesses can open with common-sense risk reduction measures, including mandated masking and encouraging everyone to get vaccinated, if and when they can.
Continue masking when in public, hand washing, avoiding large crowds and keep your distance when around others who are not fully vaccinated.
BEYOND THE BLUEPRINT
DATA DASHBOARD
New COVID-19 Variant Detected in Marin
Two local cases of COVID-19 infection with the B.1.1.7 variant of SARS-CoV-2, first detected in the United Kingdom, have been reported by Marin County.
The B.1.1.7 variant is classified as a “Variant of Concern” by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention because it is more infectious than other strains, and it may lead to more severe disease. The B.1.1.7 variant is contributing to surges of cases in Europe and the Eastern United States. Regionally, the proportion of cases that are linked to the more transmissible variants is climbing and signals a concerning trend.
As of April 1, there are 9,359 confirmed cases of B.1.427 and B.1.429 (first detected in California), 851 cases of B.1.1.7., 35 cases of P.1 and 10 cases of B.1.351 across the State of California.
COVID-19 Funeral Assistance
Sadly, we have lost many lives during this pandemic. Families who are grieving shouldn’t have to struggle to pay for funeral expenses, too. Thankfully, new federal laws are offering help with this. FEMA will now provide financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020. Applications will be accepted beginning Monday, April 12, 2021.
Business Loans Available
More help for businesses is on the way. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is increasing the maximum amount small businesses and non-profit organizations can borrow through its COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. Starting this week, the SBA is raising the loan limit for the COVID-19 EIDL program from six months of economic injury with a maximum loan amount of $150,000 to up to 24 months of economic injury with a maximum loan amount of $500,000.
Marin’s Mobile Vaccine
Launched in December 2020, mobile vaccination teams travel to where the most vulnerable live and deliver COVID-19 vaccines directly to people who otherwise may not have access.
There are three types of mobile operations underway: one visits long-term care facilities, low-income senior housing communities, sober living houses, and shelters; another does home visits; and a third offers pop-up vaccine clinics in hard-hit or underserved areas.
Last month, Bloomberg’s Sarah Holder shadowed Marin‘s mobile vaccine operations to highlight this effort.
Reminders
- Find out if you’re eligible for the vaccine, make an appointment, or sign up to be notified for when it’s your turn.
- Free mobile COVID-19 testing remains available. Make your online appointment today at one of their five locations.
- The Marin County Rental Assistance Program is still accepting applications. Find out if you’re eligible and apply today!