San Mateo takes stock one year after the COVID-19 pandemic. The Health Department reported the first known local case of COVID-19.
Pamela Cruz. Peninsula 360 Press [P360P].
A year ago, life changed completely.
On March 2, 2020, children from across San Mateo County came together to enjoy "Read Across America Day."
In the presidential race, Vice President Joe Biden had just won his first primary.
Local news headlines said a sold-out crowd of 18,064 watched the injury-plagued Golden State Warriors lose by 14 at home last night.
Students at high schools in Burlingame, Redwood City and Half Moon Bay, meanwhile, held weekend sports championships.
And everyone enjoyed a pleasant 70 degrees from Daly City to Half Moon Bay to San Mateo. All in all, a good late winter day.
San Mateo takes stock one year after the COVID-19 pandemic. The Health Department reported the first known local case of COVID-19.
"That was the turning point where it changed life as we knew it. At the time, we didn't know how profound those changes would be," said county administrator Mike Callagy, who also serves as countywide emergency services chief.
"This is a moment we will all remember because since then we have all been challenged like never before in most of our lives," he added.
The county laid the groundwork to activate the Emergency Operations Center ?EOCThe county health department detected the COVID-19 threat and activated its own Department Operations Center when SARS-CoV-2 arrived in the U.S. in January. The County Health Department detected the COVID-19 threat and activated its own Department Operations Center when SARS-CoV-2 arrived in the U.S. in January.
At the time, the county noted through a statement that the first few days of the EOC activation there would be physical distancing, but without the need for masks. Still.
Also, providing food to those in need of isolation was and remains a high priority.
It was recalled that The Mask Mobile has distributed more than 26,920 masks throughout the county since it was first launched last year.
It was also noted that San Mateo County Health is actively working through the different phases of distribution as quickly as possible to direct the limited supply of vaccines to the identified priority groups.
In that regard, San Mateo County has launched a "Come Back" campaign to unite residents and remind them of "all the steps we need to take to stay safe."
Then, the county increased the EOC's planning functions and staffing to prepare for activation on March 2, 2020, when its operations would run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
"The Emergency Operations Center is the heart and soul of our community's response to COVID-19," said David J. Canepa, chairman of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors and chairman of the county's Emergency Services Council.
Since the pandemic began, the EOC has led the response through timely and accurate communications to the public and by organizing, coordinating and delivering vital services to the community. This includes $97 million in direct assistance to individuals, families, small businesses and community-serving organizations, the county said.
As compiled by the San Mateo Recovery Initiative, the county has provided:
- 16.05 million dollars to 4,269 individuals and families
- 11 million to 657 small businesses
- 38.56 billion dollars to nonprofit organizations serving the community
- 4 million to Second Harvest Food Bank to help provide food to residents
- 1,208 people served in supportive housing for isolation and quarantine (Alternative Housing Sites), along with tiered medical support (Alternative Care Site).
- Approximately 1.5 million meals for vulnerable residents through Great Plates Delivered program
The COVID-19 Pandemic in San Mateo County by the Numbers:
- Total number of people vaccinated: 157 thousand 337
- People who completed the vaccine series with two doses: 61,621
- Total number of vaccine doses in the arm: 218,958
- Total number of COVID-19 cases: 38,865
- Total deaths related to COVID-19: 521
As of this Monday, March 1, the EOC is integrated into the County's Regional Operations Center - ROC, a $64.5 million, two-story building in downtown Redwood City, which opened in late 2019.
The ROC also includes the Public Utilities Safety Communications 9-1-1 system and the daily offices of the San Mateo County Area Office of Emergency Services.
In addition, the Strong San Mateo County Fund, a public-private initiative that raises funds to assist individuals, small businesses and non-profit groups that are experiencing financial hardship due to the pandemic, was created.
