County Moving Closer Toward the Yellow Tier

San Bernardino County continues to make great progress in the fight against COVID-19, and has now administered 1,209,066 doses to our residents.

On Tuesday, the County's adjusted case rate was 2.9/100,000 with an overall positivity rate of 1.7 percent and an equity positivity rate of 1.8 percent. In order to move into the less restrictive yellow tier, the County's overall positivity needs to be below 2 percent and equity positivity below 2.3% for at least two weeks. 

"We continue to make progress toward the yellow tier and want to thank our staff, entire community, network of trusted communicators and vaccine providers for that progress," said County Chief Operating Officer Leonard X. Hernandez.

Hernandez said that Pfizer is currently working on approval with the FDA to administer vaccines to youth ages 12-16, and that the state may be releasing new guidance regarding a "green tier" shortly. As soon as that happens, we'll be sure to share the information in our newsletter and social media sites.

Update on High Desert schools

During our Board of Supervisors meeting, Hesperia Unified School District Superintendent David Olney provided an update about how our First District schools have managed to get through a very "surreal year." 

"Back in March 2020, when we didn’t know much about this virus, I know that I can speak on behalf of my High Desert colleagues that we did not want to close our schools," he said. "We know that our students need to be in school. We want them in class where they are needed, and we know that this is the safe place for them to be during the day. They need the support of their educators so they can be socially and academically successful."

Olney thanked St. Mary Medical Center and the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department for their collaborative assistance getting our High Desert teachers vaccinated. "St. Mary has been truly amazing," he said. "They have a servant leadership heart, and their efforts were really a support to our entire community."

Kudos also went to our Deputy Chief of Staff Dakota Higgins. "Dakota checked in with me throughout the year," said Olney. "We wanted to make sure our High Desert region wasn't left behind, and in fact most of the time we were ahead of the curve."

Thank you to all of our community partners who continue to assist us in fighting this pandemic.

COVID-19 vaccines are available!

Vaccines continue to be available throughout the First District, and can be found on the County's COVID-19 website.

Walk-ins for the J&J Covid-19 vaccines are welcome through Friday, May 7, at Columbia Middle School, located at 14409 Aster Road, Adelanto. They are offered from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., no appointments required. Please note that the FDA and CDC determined that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine should resume, as the benefits outweigh the risks.

Join Health Net and the County of San Bernardino Department of Public Health on Thursday, May 6 for a COVID-19 vaccination clinic at Calico Ghost Town Regional Park.
Vaccinations are by appointment only. 

On May 17, Burning Bush Church in Victorville will offer a free vaccination clinic between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Appointments for the Pfizer Vaccine continue to be available at Hesperia Health Center in Hesperia and Hook Community Center in Victorville. Go to http://myturn.ca.gov/ to make an appointment.

VA Loma Linda Healthcare System has resumed administration of the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine. Single-dose clinics are available by walk-in or appointment. Call (909) 825-7084 ext. 5085 for information, or click here.

FEMA Funeral Assistance

FEMA is providing financial assistance for COVID-19 related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020. Apply here  or call (800) 621-3362.

Rent Relief

San Bernardino County's Rent Relief Partnership offers assistance to individuals and households that have experienced the greatest impacts due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Apply here or call 211 and select option 5.