Sonoma County COVID Response Transitions to New Phase as Federal Funding Expires

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.

Vaccination of Under-5-Year-Olds to Begin in Sonoma County

With federal & state regulators having now approved the use of COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 6mo-4yrs, Sonoma County is expected to begin vaccinating the roughly 21,000 children in this age range through primary care providers and health centers.

June 8 Update of the California Public Health Officer Order for COVID-19

Below is a summary of changes and modifications, including for workplaces and congregate care facilities, following the June 8, 2022, COVID-19 state's health officer order:

State Public Health Officer Order of June 8, 2022: Beyond the Blueprint

Upd...

Board of Supervisors Approve $39 Million in ARPA Funding for 27 Community Proposals

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors allocated $39M in American Rescue Plan Act funding to support disproportionately impacted individuals & households who have suffered economic impacts as well as disparities in public health outcomes due to COVID-19.

COVID-19 Boosters Available to Anyone 5 and Older

With the recent federal approval of COVID-19 booster shots for younger children, anyone 5 and older is now eligible to receive a third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

Bay Area Health Officers urge public to take precautions as COVID levels rise

Twelve Bay Area health officers are stressing the importance of taking safety precautions, including continued masking indoors, as the region experiences a new swell of COVID cases and hospitalizations.

TSA Extends Face Mask Requirement on Public Transportation Through May 3, 2022

At CDC's recommendation, TSA will extend the Security Directives and Emergency Amendment requiring mask use on public transportation and transportation hubs for 15 days through May 3, 2022.

Updated CDPH Guidelines for Isolation and Quarantine

New guidelines remove the quarantine recommendations for an asymptomatic exposed person, add recommendations for work exclusion or restriction in certain specified high-risk settings, & include an updated definition for close contact & infectious period.

California Issues New Guidelines for Hosting Events

The California Department of Public Health has issued its Safe and SMART Event Playbook, which provides new guidelines to assist businesses, municipalities, and communities on how to best prepare smaller events for this new stage of living with COVID.

Second Booster Shots Available for Sonoma County Residents Age 50+

Residents age 50+ & those who are immunocompromised are now eligible to receive a second booster of the mRNA (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) COVID-19 vaccine at county-sponsored clinics as well as at local pharmacies & healthcare providers in Sonoma County.

Deadline to Apply for Emergency Rental Assistance Program is March 31, 2022

Residents must have an application on file with the County’s portal on or before March 31, 2022, to take advantage of possible extensions of eviction protections currently being considered by the state.

California Microbusiness COVID-19 Relief Grant Program

The Sonoma County Economic Development Board will launch the CA Microbusiness COVID-19 Relief Grant Program, which will provide grants up to $2,500 to local microbusinesses impacted by COVID-19. Application period is 4/1-5/1, or until funds exhausted.

FDA Authorizes 2nd Booster Dose of Two COVID-19 Vaccines for Older & Immunocompromised Individuals

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized a second booster dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or the Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for older people and certain immunocompromised individuals.

County Accepting Applications for American Rescue Plan Act Funding Through April 7

SoCo opened the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Notice of Funding Availability process to accept apps for ARPA funding thru 4/7 & has allocated $34 million to support community programs that address community needs identified as a result of COVID-19.

Sonoma County Aligns with State on Masking Changes

As of 3/1, masks are no longer required for unvaccinated individuals in CA, but are strongly recommended for all individuals in most indoor settings. After 3/11, in schools & childcare facilities, masks will not be required but are strongly recommended.

One Millionth Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine Administered in Sonoma County

One million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have now been administered in Sonoma County, a new milestone in the 14-month-long campaign to strengthen residents’ immune systems against the deadly virus. That includes first, second and booster doses.

Rep. Mike Thompson Announces $4+ Million in Grants to SR for Secure Housing During COVID-19 Pandemic

City of SR receiving $4,313,977 grant from Federal Emergency Management Agency & Department of Homeland Security that will reimburse a program that relocated at-risk residents from Samuel L. Jones Hall Homeless Shelter to Sandman Hotel during COVID-19.

County’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program Pauses Temporarily

Nearly $25 million in direct assistance has been provided to SoCo households thru SoCo’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program. More than 4,000 pending & completed apps are in the queue & are predicted to draw down the remainder funds assigned to SoCo.

Eighty Percent of Eligible Sonoma County Residents Now Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19

Eighty percent of residents 5 and older in Sonoma County are now fully vaccinated, marking another major milestone in the 14-month-long campaign to protect Sonoma County residents from the worst outcomes of the COVID-19 virus.

Twelve Bay Area Health Officers to Lift Most Indoor Mask Mandates on Feb. 16

In alignment with the State, twelve Bay Area counties, including Sonoma County, will lift universal mask requirements for most indoor public settings beginning Wednesday, Feb. 16.

Sonoma County to let Restrictions on Large Gatherings Expire on Feb. 10

With COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations declining, Sonoma County Health Officer Dr. Sundari Mase made clear that a health order temporarily restricting the size of large gatherings will expire as scheduled at 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 10.

Sonoma County Clarifies Health Order to Allow 50 Spectators at Indoor Events

Sonoma County Health Officer clarifies a recent health order that limited indoor public events to 50 people. As of today (1/27), indoor events can include 50 spectators. The total number of attendees does not include staff, media, players or performers.

Sonoma County Announces Four Weekend COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics at Sonoma County Fairgrounds

The County of Sonoma will expand access to pediatric and adult COVID-19 vaccines and boosters through a series of large-scale vaccine clinics at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds on Jan. 29-30 and Feb. 5-6, 12-13, and 19-20 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

COVID Cases at Santa Rosa Homeless Shelter

Update: Feb. 17, 2022

The Samuel L. Jones Hall Homeless Shelter (SJH) has reopened to new residents following an outbreak of the Omicron variant that began last month. The shelter, owned by the city and operated by Catholic Charities, reopened on Monday, F...

Order Your Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests

Residential households in the U.S. can order one set of four free at-home tests from covidtests.gov. Tests are limited to one order per residential address and include four individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests.

SoCo Health Officer Issues Appeal for Residents to Voluntarily Stay Home; Restricts Large Gatherings

Sonoma County Health Officer issues an appeal to residents to stay home as much as possible for the next 30 days and limit interactions with those outside of their immediate household, and also issues a Health Order canceling large gatherings.

Sonoma County Issues COVID-19 Guidance for New Year’s Gatherings

People planning to travel and attend gatherings on the New Year’s Eve holiday should take steps to protect themselves and their families from COVID-19.

Sonoma County Rescinds Face Mask Exemption for Fully Vaccinated Groups

Sonoma County joined four other Bay Area counties in rescinding exemptions to local public health orders that allowed stable groups of fully vaccinated people to remove their masks indoors in some workplaces, gyms, churches and other public settings.

SoCo Urges Employers to Require Proof of COVID-19 Booster Shot or at least Twice Weekly Testing

Employers should immediately require all workers to get a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, if eligible for one, or get tested at least twice weekly under new guidelines issued by SoCo Health Officer. Guidelines are voluntary but strongly recommended.

SoCo to Require Proof of COVID-19 Booster Shot or At Least Twice Weekly Testing for School Workers

Sonoma County Health Officer issues a health order for all schools in Sonoma County to require employees to provide satisfactory evidence that, when eligible, they have received a booster for COVID-19 or begin testing at least twice weekly.

SoCo to Require Proof of COVID-19 Booster Shot or At Least Twice Weekly Testing for High-Risk Groups

New health order for employers of fire, law enforcement, emergency medical service workers, pharmacies, dental offices & operators of temp disaster shelters in SoCo to require testing at least twice weekly or provide evidence that a booster was received.

Sonoma County and Bay Area Health Officers Urge Boosters to Protect Against Omicron Variant

Public health agencies across the Bay Area urge everyone eligible to get vaccinated and, if eligible, get a booster shot right away to protect against the rapidly spreading Omicron variant.

Masking Rules Remain Unchanged in Sonoma County Under New State Requirements

Indoor masking requirements in Sonoma County, including its exemptions for indoor dining and some stable groups of fully vaccinated people, remain unchanged under a new statewide mask mandate from the California Department of Public Health.

Sonoma County Approves Initial ARPA Allocations for County and Community

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors this week began the process of approving the allocation of $96 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, grounding their decisions in community recommendations.

Sonoma County Issues Guidance on COVID-19 Booster Shots for 16- and 17-year-olds

Sonoma County will immediately make 16- and 17-year-olds eligible for booster shots of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, aligning the county with new federal and state guidelines.

Sonoma County Department of Health Services Awarded $6 Million to Scale Grassroots COVID-19 Response

The SoCo Dept of Health Services received a three-year, $6 million grant from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention to increase resources & services for health workers to better respond to the COVID-19 pandemic & combat health care inequities.

25% of Sonoma County Children Ages 5-11 Now Partially or Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19

One in four Sonoma County children ages 5-11 are now fully or partially vaccinated against COVID-19, an important milestone that means the county has achieved the first goal set by the Sonoma County Office of Education and county health officials.

Sonoma County Issues COVID-19 Guidance for Thanksgiving Gatherings & Travel

People planning to travel & attend gatherings over Thanksgiving should take steps to protect themselves/families from COVID-19 & ensure they have proper documents required by some destinations, airlines & events to prove their vaccination/testing status.

Sonoma County Opens COVID-19 Boosters Broadly to Adults to Avoid Winter Surge

Sonoma County is opening-up COVID-19 boosters to all adults 18 years and older, provided they qualify based on the timing of their last dose of the vaccine.

New Sonoma County Health Order Requires Flu Shots for Senior Care and In-Home Care Workers

Sonoma County Health Officer Dr. Sundari Mase has expanded the scope of an Oct. 1 health order requiring workers at certain health care and congregate facilities to get vaccinated against influenza.

Sonoma County Issues COVID-19 Guidance for Holiday Gatherings and Travel

People planning to travel & attend gatherings over the holidays should take steps now to protect themselves from COVID-19 & ensure they have proper documents required by some destinations, airlines & events to prove their vaccination or testing status.

Vaccinations of 5-11-year-olds to Begin in Sonoma County During Week of Nov. 8

With federal and state regulators having now approved the use of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11, Sonoma County is expected to begin vaccinating the roughly 37,000 children in this age range beginning the week of Nov. 8.

Sonoma County Issues Guidance on COVID-19 Booster Shots, Mix-and-Match Boosters

Sonoma County residents who received any of the three COVID-19 vaccines are now eligible for a booster shot if they meet new criteria outlined by the county Department of Health Services.

Sonoma County Health Officer Allows Some Groups Option to go Maskless Indoors

SoCo Health Officer amends health order to allow certain stable groups of people, such as those in gyms, classes & offices, the option of lifting the mandate on wearing masks indoors if they verify that all members of the group are fully vaccinated.

Sonoma County Outlines Plan to Deliver COVID-19 Vaccinations to Children Ages 5-11 in Sonoma County

In tandem with the SoCo Office of Education & other community partners, SoCo health officials unveiled plans to deliver free COVID-19 vaccinations to children in the county between the ages of 5-11 as soon as the doses are approved by federal regulators.

Sonoma County Seeks Community Input on Allocating $96 Million in ARPA Funding

What are the challenges you and your family and friends have faced - or are still experiencing - during the COVID-19 pandemic? What kind of financial support, if any, did you receive during this health crisis and what was missing?

Outdoor Trick-Or-Treating in Sonoma County is Safe This Halloween With Precautions

Families can confidently enjoy outdoor trick-or-treating on Halloween and outdoor Día De los Muertos celebrations this year, provided they take some simple precautions to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.

Bay Area Health Officers Issue Criteria for Lifting COVID-19 Indoor Masking Requirements

As vaccinations & wearing face coverings indoors drive down COVID-19 case rates & hospitalizations, health officers for 9 Bay Area jurisdictions requiring face coverings in most indoor public spaces reached consensus on criteria to lift the health orders.

Sonoma County Campaign Delivers 700,000th Vaccination

Reaching another major milestone in the battle against COVID-19, the campaign to protect Sonoma County residents from the virus delivered its 700,000th dose of vaccine.

County’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program to Receive $13.8 Million in Additional State Funding

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors voted to authorize the Sonoma County Community Development Commission to accept up to $13,787,577.78 of State Block Grant funds from the California Department of Housing and Community Development.

Sonoma County Health Officer Requires Flu Shots for Health Care Workers, Recommends Them for Public

Sonoma County Health Officer Dr. Sundari Mase issued a health order requiring workers at certain health care and congregate facilities to get vaccinated against influenza.

California Becomes First State in Nation to Announce COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements for Schools

After implementing first-in-the-nation school masking and staff vaccination measures, California becomes the first state to announce plans to require student vaccinations – adding the COVID-19 vaccine to list of vaccinations required for school.

Sonoma County Rolls Out COVID-19 Booster Shots

COVID-19 booster shots are available for eligible seniors, health care workers, public safety personnel & others who are at increased risk due to occupational or institutional setting, & who received the Pfizer-BioNTech second dose at least 6 months ago.

Pfizer Says Vaccine Safe for Ages 5-11, to Seek Approval for Use

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has been shown to be safe and highly effective in young children aged 5 to 11 years.

President Biden Implements COVID-19 Six-Pronged Action Plan

President Biden is implementing a six-pronged, comprehensive national strategy to successfully combat COVID-19, including requiring employers with 100+ employees to provide proof of vaccination or submit to weekly testing.

Seventy-Five Percent of Eligible Sonoma County Residents are now Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19

Three of four eligible Sonoma County residents are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19, an important milestone reached amid efforts to keep everyone safe from the highly contagious Delta variant.

Sonoma County Health Officer Issues Health Order Requiring Testing for Jail Inmates

Sonoma County Health Officer Dr. Sundari Mase today issued a health order requiring jail inmates to be tested for COVID-19 upon entry. The measure is designed to curb the spread of the virus and prevent outbreaks at county detention facilities.

So. County Health Order on Vaccinations & Sports Guidelines Issued Sept. 3, 2021

Sonoma County Health Officer Dr. Sundari Mase today took steps to curb the spread of COVID-19, including issuing a health order requiring home health care workers and pharmacists to show proof of COVID vaccination or undergo regular testing, and recommend...

City of Santa Rosa Announces COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for City Employees

The Santa Rosa City Council has directed the City Manager to adopt a policy requiring that all City employees provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or submit to weekly testing, effective October 1, 2021. The policy will apply to all 1,520 permanen...

ARPA Community Work Group Seeking Members to Distribute Funds

Sonoma County is seeking residents to serve on a work group that will help allocate $96 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to provide relief from public health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Santa Rosa Homeless Shelter to Reopen for Intakes

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The Samuel L. Jones Hall Homeless Shelter (SJH) will reopen to new shelter intakes on Friday, Aug 27, providing emergency temporary sheltering to those experiencing homelessness within Santa Rosa. 

The facility, which is o...

County and SCOE Announce Local Recommendations to Mitigate COVID-19 on Campus

The SoCo Dept. of Health Services & the SoCo Office of Education have issued 3 local recommendations to SoCo schools to help minimize the spread of COVID-19 on campus & enable students to have the fewest possible interruptions to in-person learning.

FDA Approves First COVID-19 Vaccine

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first COVID-19 vaccine, which is known as the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, but will now be marketed as Comirnaty, for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in individuals 16 years of age and older.

Sonoma County to Follow State Guidance on Boosters

Sonoma County will follow the guidance of the California Department of Public Health and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in providing booster shots of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines to certain immunocompromised individuals in Sonoma County.

California Implements Nation-Leading Vaccine Verification Measure for Large Events

Beginning 9/20, proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test will be required for indoor events with 1,000 or more attending. This new measure will help encourage more vaccinations and increase safety at events while ensuring businesses can thrive.

COVID Cases at City’s Homeless Shelter

The Samuel L. Jones Hall Homeless Shelter (SJH) will reopen to new shelter intakes on Friday, August 27, 2021, providing emergency temporary sheltering to those experiencing homelessness within Santa Rosa. The facility was closed to intakes on July 2 afte...

80% of Eligible Sonoma County Residents Are Now at Least Partially Vaccinated Against COVID-19

Four out of five eligible Sonoma County residents are now either fully or partially vaccinated against COVID-19, Sonoma County Department of Health Services reported to the Board of Supervisors as part of an update on the County’s pandemic response.

Sonoma County Supervisors Require Employee Vaccinations or Testing

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors approved a policy requiring all county employees to either show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or submit to weekly testing.

Sonoma County Expands Testing Options, Shifts Focus to PCR Tests

In response to growing demand for testing amid the current surge of COVID cases, the SoCo Dept of Health Services has expanded testing opportunities through private providers while freeing County Health to focus on outbreak and surveillance testing.

First-in-the-Nation Measure to Encourage Teachers and School Staff to Get Vaccinated

In order to best protect students & staff as CA starts the school year fully in-person, the CA Dept. of Public Health issued a new public health order requiring all school staff to either show proof of full vaccination or be tested at least once per week.

County to Require Proof of Vaccination for Emergency Personnel, Encourages Employers to do the Same

Health order requiring all fire, law enforcement & emergency medical service workers & staff at disaster shelters to show proof of vaccination. If proof of vaccination is not available, weekly COVID-19 testing is required. Order takes effect 9/24.

Sonoma County Partners With Private Providers to Expand COVID-19 Testing Opportunities

Due to increasing case rates and testing demand, the Sonoma County Department of Health Services is partnering with four trusted providers - Curative, LHI, Molecular Matrix, and Fox Home Health - to offer expanded COVID-19 testing services for residents.

Bay Area Health Officials Issue Orders Requiring Use of Face Coverings Indoors

Counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Sonoma, and the City of Berkeley Indoor Masking Orders Take Effect Tuesday (8/3).

Sonoma County Expands Emergency Rental Assistance Program

With the passage of Assembly Bill 832, Sonoma County has expanded financial support available to tenants and landlords through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program.

CDPH Recommends Masking for Public Indoor Settings to Slow Spread of COVID-19 & Delta Variant

In response to the spike in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, and new CDC guidance, the California Department of Public Health updated its Guidance for Face Coverings, recommending mask use for indoor public settings, regardless of vaccination status.

First-in-the-Nation Measures to Encourage State Employees and Health Care Workers to Get Vaccinated

The State of California is implementing a first-in-the-nation standard to require all state workers and workers in health care and high-risk congregate settings to either show proof of full vaccination or be tested at least once per week.

County Testing Sites Now Offer BinaxNOW ‘Rapid’ Tests

The Sonoma County Department of Health Services is now offering BinaxNOW “rapid” antigen testing at all DHS testing sites.

Sonoma County Supervisors Announce Vaccination Rollout is Ramping Up

SANTA ROSA, CA – Sonoma County’s COVID-19 vaccination efforts are kicking into high gear with five clinics now activated throughout the County and at least two more planned for the coming weeks, Sonoma County supervisors announced today. Already nearly 24...

Sonoma County Adopts Enhanced Program to Reduce COVID-19 Transmission & Supporting The Most Impacted

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors unanimously endorsed a suite of actions to support those most negatively impacted by the spread of coronavirus including those in low-income, essential worker and Latinx communities.