Since most restrictions from the State of California’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy were lifted on June 15, 2021, the average daily case rate of COVID-19 in Stanislaus County has increased 9-fold and the testing positivity rate has risen 4-fold. The Delta variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is significantly more transmissible than the original virus, has become the predominant strain in the US, in California, and in Stanislaus County. Alarmingly, hospitalizations from COVID-19 in Stanislaus County have risen quickly from 38 patients as of July 16 to 299 patients on September 1.

This surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations is threatening our local healthcare system. At the same time as this surge in COVID-19 infections is occurring, there is also a high volume of hospitalizations from non-COVID-19 related diseases. COVID-19 hospitalizations combined with the medical needs arising from another historic wildfire season is stressing the capacity of our local hospitals and medical first responders to meet the medical needs of our county.

To stem this rapid increase in COVID-19 transmission and hospitalizations, the best protection for our community against this virus is to continue to increase the number of people vaccinated. The least disruptive and most immediately impactful additional measure to take is the universal use of face coverings, also known as masking, while indoors.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) both recommend that all persons—regardless of vaccination status—wear face coverings indoors when with people outside of their household. With the rapid increase in cases and hospitalizations due to the Delta variant, it has become necessary to elevate the indoor mask recommendation to a requirement.

The order requires all people to wear face coverings when indoors in workplaces and public settings, with limited exemptions, and recommends that businesses make face coverings available to individuals entering their businesses. This order will take effect Saturday, September 4, 2021 at 12:01 am. All people, especially those who are unvaccinated or at higher risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19, should take personal measures to reduce risk in addition to masking.

This Order requiring all individuals to wear face coverings, as specified below, is necessary to control and reduce the rate of community spread, support our healthcare system, and to reinforce the need for safe interactions. Public Health will continue to assess the situation as it evolves and may modify this Order or issue additional orders related to COVID-19 as changing circumstances dictate.

“The decision to go forward with a masking mandate is based on the need to protect our healthcare system. There is a concerning rise in hospitalizations that is threatening hospital capacity.” said Dr. Julie Vaishampayan, Public Health Officer for Stanislaus County. “Masking is an essential tool that limits the transmission of the Delta variant as we continue to vaccinate the people who live, work, and learn in Stanislaus County.”

“The continued increase in hospitalizations is concerning. Especially, when you look at the non-COVID-19 demands on our hospitals. We need to do something to protect our local hospitals so that we have capacity to take care of everyday medical needs. From what the CDC and the CDPH have learned about masking, it looks like masking is the least disruptive measure to slow the rate of transmission and keep our County moving forward” said Vito Chiesa, Chair of the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors.”

Those who are not vaccinated or only partially vaccinated remain highly vulnerable to the infectious Delta variant. Vaccinations have proven to be effective against the Delta variant and all variants of COVID-19 – slowing the rate of spread and mitigating severe symptoms. All residents 12 and older are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible. For a list of vaccination clinics, visit the Stanislaus County Public Health website.

The Public Health Order can be found at http://schsa.org/coronavirus/ph-orders-press/.

Additional information:

• CDC recommendations for vaccinated individuals to wear face coverings in indoor public settings in areas of substantial or high COVID-19 transmission:
  • https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html
• CDPH requires face coverings in specific indoor public settings and recommends that individuals wear face coverings in all other indoor public settings, regardless of their vaccination status.
  • https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/guidance-for-face-coverings.aspx

Every decade, counties draw new district maps for their communities. Stanislaus County is working with the community to make sure the redistricting process is guided by transparency and public input so that maps reflect the will of voters, allow for competitive county elections, and fairly represent all communities. There are several upcoming community workshops and public hearings that we want to make residents aware of. See flyers below for information.

Redistricting 2021 Flier

Do you have an innovative idea to provide housing for the homeless? Stanislaus county wants to know.

The county has $2,884,000 available for vendors with experience in affordable housing projects and programs. The funding is from the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) grant program. It provides local jurisdictions with funds to support regional coordination and expand or develop local capacity to address homelessness.

Stanislaus County is seeking proposals from qualified and experienced organizations for Delivery of Permanent Housing and/or Innovative Housing Solutions, RFP # 21-13-SD. To find out more and how to register, please go to http://www.stancounty.com/purchasing/county-bids.shtm

A Pre-Proposal Conference is scheduled July 30, 2021 at 10:00a.m. Questions may be submitted in writing up until 5:00 p.m. on August 6, 2021. All RFP responses are due on August 13, 2021.

The Turlock Library, located at 550 Minaret Ave., is now open to the public (as of Tuesday, Aug. 10). A dedication ceremony was held on August 9. The public is invited to visit the expanded, modernized, upgraded library facility during business hours.

"As Chairman of the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors and County Supervisor representing the Turlock Community, I am thrilled with the successful completion of the beautiful new Turlock Library! As is our way, on time and under budget!" said Supervisor Vito Chiesa. "The Turlock Community has waited a long time for this to happen and the Friends of the Turlock Library and their donors should be commended for their generosity making the new Library even more awesome! This is a great example of working together,with a shared purpose resulting in a new modern library and community center we can all enjoy for generations to come."

Turlock's first community library, a Carnegie library, was built in 1916 and served the community for more than 50 years. In 1968, the library moved to a new 10,000-square-foot Minaret Avenue location. The newly constructed and expanded library will preserve the beautiful park-like setting that is so loved by the community. The new, 16,530-square-foot library will feature teen and children's areas, a community room, a makerspace, and more.

The Turlock Library project leveraged funding from Library Savings, Tobacco Endowment Funds, Public Facilities Fees, Deferred Maintenance Funds and County General Funds. The dedicated sales tax for County-wide Library services has contributed to the savings for this project. In addition, the Friends of the Turlock Library have raised $1 million for furnishings, architectural enhancements and technology upgrades. The new facility was designed and constructed by LDA Architects, and Roebbelen Contractors, Dewberry Architects.

"We are grateful for the Friends of the Turlock Library and their donors for their support, encouragement and generosity making this effort truly a remarkable feat," said Stanislaus County Librarian Sarah Dentan.

The new library will be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday; 12 to 8 p.m. Wednesday; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. The library will be closed on Fridays and Sundays.

For more infomation, visit www.stanislauslibrary.org or call 209-558-7801

Stanislaus County is working to enhance service to the community through a new mobile app and chatbot.

Those who have used the former GoRequest mobile app to submit service requests, report issues to staff virtually or find information should uninstall the GoRequest app and download Stan Connect. The revamped custom app is available now in the Apple and Google play stores where mobile apps are found.

The newly designed app has more robust offerings to serve residents more effectively. It is a communication tool that will allow users to easily connect with government services and their County elected officials, access county news, job opportunities and information, as well as submit concerns or requests for service. The new app will better serve on the go residents and save time when conducting County business, an attractive feature to people who prefer not to visit County offices in person or call for service.

“This is a great new tool for Stanislaus County residents who want convenience when connecting with County government,” said Board of Supervisors Chair, Vito Chiesa. “With most all of our services at your fingertips in a well-organized, user friendly mobile app, we are ready to serve you wherever you are,” he added.

Stanislaus County has used GoRequest as a Government Outreach platform since 2006. The new and improved mobile app will more easily facilitate interaction between residents and the County. Benefits include property tax information and resources, the ability to request vital records, view pets available for adoption, find public health clinics, social services and access most County services from the convenience of a mobile app.

The app, which partners with the County’s web based Customer Relationship Management (CRM), allows users to efficiently enter and track service requests online. When a new request is entered into the system by a resident, the software automatically routes the request to the appropriate individual within the County organization. The employee receives an email notification indicating the need to resolve a request. Each request has a pre-assigned “Expected Close Date,” which is given to the customer via email. Customers are notified when the project is completed. Although all app users must register to submit and track their requests, submissions can be made anonymously. Anonymous users will not receive email confirmation or notification of completion.

The County has also incorporated a chatbot, “Ask Stan,” into the website as an added efficiency to customers, helping users find information quickly on the website. The chat bot is currently available to residents on a trial basis through a three-month pilot program. Web users will see Stan at the bottom corner of the screen when visiting StanCounty.com. Stan will improve in functionality based on users’ feedback which can be provided directly through the chat bot. Feedback is encouraged throughout the process.

Stanislaus County is offering a new Geographic Information System (GIS) Hub, which makes available local data and interactive maps. This public tool allows residents to access open data throughout the County.

There are specific uses of GIS maps for those interested in data from Stanislaus County Supervisorial Districts, river maps, city limits and annexations, municipal advisory councils, transportation maps, parcel records and land assessments. Surveyors and engineers will find the application a useful tool for land development. As a planning tool to assist with urban growth strategy and land management it is useful as well. Property information included there assists the County Assessor with records maintenance.

Real estate brokers as well as Emergency Services personnel will find it useful as mapping routes is common when responding to disasters like floods or fires. There is a fire district map accessible from the page as well.

The system will allow residents to view several large-scale, ongoing projects, like Measure L funded infrastructure improvements, encroachment permits, road and bridge projects underway throughout the region, County islands or unincorporated areas and North County Corridor are featured.

The map information found on the site is downloadable for easy reference in hard copy. Residents are encouraged to explore the new GIS Hub.

The Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors announced the successful completion of the new Empire Library on Tuesday, June 8, at an inspiring dedication ceremony and celebration of a new, modern, safe library for the community of Empire. Special recognition was given to Bob Dittman, retired Empire school administrator, and his wife Jane, for whom the children’s area of the library is named. The Empire Community Hall Association also was thanked for making the project possible with a generous donation of property. A recording of the event is available at www.stanislauslibrary.org.

Doors opened Wednesday, June 9, with some eagerly waiting young customers among the first to explore the new space. At 4,270 square feet, the new facility is twice the size of the former location on South Abbie, allowing for 50% more Spanish/bilingual children’s books, and an increase of 20-25% in other print collections.

Located at 98 I Street, the new library is adjacent to the Empire Regional Water Safety Training Center/Pool. It features warm and inviting spaces for children, teens and adults, and incorporates a community room that opens to a covered outdoor patio for library programs and community events. A sheriff’s substation will be located in the building as well.

The new facility was designed and constructed by LDA Architects, and Roebbelen Contractors, Dewberry Architects. The project was completed on time and under budget!

The Empire Library is open 12 to 6 p.m, Tuesday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

For more information, visit www.stanislauslibrary.org or call 209-524-5505.