San Jose: FLASH REPORT #195 - COVID-19 Response and Recovery
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The following is information about the City of San José's response to slow and reduce the spread of COVID-19 and support of an equitable recovery to a "Better Normal."

SOURCE:
City of San José
Community and Economic Recovery Team

Contact:
Carolina Camarena / Vicki Day, City of San José Media Line: 408-535-7777
City of San José Customer Contact Center: 3-1-1 or 408-535-3500

Email:
News/Media: EOC_PIO@sanjoseca.gov
Residents: 311@sanjoseca.gov
Businesses: covid19sjbusiness@sanjoseca.gov
Non-Profits: covid19sjcbo@sanjoseca.gov

Updates on City of San José Services and/or Operations
  • San José City Council Available Virtually on Jan. 25: Out of an abundance of caution, the Jan. 25 City Council meeting will be conducted virtually. The virtual meeting will start at 1:30 p.m. Councilmembers and presenters will teleconference from remote locations. The public can watch the meeting on the City's YouTube Channel. To make public comment during the meeting, email councilmeeting@sanjoseca.gov. Additional instructions for public comment are posted in the meeting agenda.
  • Boosters Now Required for Events at City-Owned Facilities: At the Jan. 11 meeting, the San José City Council approved an updated emergency ordinance which requires proof of full vaccination and up-to-date boosters for indoor events of 50 or more people at city-owned facilities. Proof of a negative test may also be accepted. The updated ordinance applies to all persons who are of an age where vaccinations and boosters are authorized, including those ages 5+. The updated ordinance now aligns with State and Federal indoor event guidelines around vaccination and testing and will take effect on Feb. 4. Operators may implement stricter requirements so individuals should check the requirements for the facility and event prior to making plans. More details are available at Vaccination Requirements for Events FAQs.
  • COVID-19 Recovery Task Force Meeting Update: The Jan. 13 meeting of the COVID-19 Recovery Task Force focused on the committee ideas submitted by task force members. Staff presented the 31 committee ideas submitted by 18 task force members who further spoke to their suggestions. After participating in break-out groups, task force members shared key takeaways about moving forward with committee ideas, including having staff gather input prior to the next meeting, scheduled for Feb. 10 at 6 p.m. via Zoom. The COVID-19 Recovery Task Force web page includes meeting materials and other resources, including links to the recorded meetings.
Updates from the Federal Government
  • Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests for Everyone: Every home in the U.S., regardless of their insurance status, is eligible to order four free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days. Order free at-home tests now at www.covidtests.gov, so you have them when you need them.

    The Biden Administration is also requiring insurance companies and group health plans to cover the cost of eight over-the-counter, at-home COVID-19 tests per member per month, effective Jan. 15. People will be able to get the tests at their health plan's preferred pharmacies and other retailers with no out-of-pocket costs or purchase the tests elsewhere and file claims for reimbursement.
  • Avoid Fake COVID-19 Tests: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Division of Consumer and Business Education recently issued guidance on how to avoid purchasing fake COVID-19 tests. The FTC suggests following these four steps before buying and using a testing kit:
    • Only buy or use tests authorized by the US Food and Drug Administration. The FDA's website has a list of more than 40 authorized home tests, some of which have age restrictions. You can buy these tests online, at pharmacies and some retail stores.
    • Check the FDA's list of fraudulent COVID-19 products to ensure the test kit you're about to buy or use, or the company you're going to buy it from, isn't on there.
    • Look at a variety of sellers and compare credible reviews from expert sources like medical professionals or health organizations before making a purchase decision. The FTC also advised searching on the Internet for the seller of the at-home testing kits along with words like "scam," "complaint," or "review" to catch the scammers. "Using these fake products isn't just a waste of money, it increases your risk of unknowingly spreading COVID-19 or not getting the appropriate treatment," the FTC said.
    • If you choose to buy a testing kit online, use your credit card so you can dispute the charge if you discover it's a scam. "Using these fake products isn't just a waste of money, it increases your risk of unknowingly spreading COVID-19 or not getting the appropriate treatment," the FTC said.
    • In addition, you should check if the kit you're about to buy or use hasn't expired.
Updates from Santa Clara County
  • Guidance to COVID-19 Testing Options: With the high demand for COVID-19 testing locally, the County Public Health Department offers guidance on what kind of test to use, when a test is needed, and where you should and should not go to get tested. The testing options are a PCR test, typically administered in a clinic or drive-through operation, and an antigen test, which is available for home use.

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    The County recommends that the antigen tests be used for purposes of shortening isolation or quarantine periods for those who have tested positive or been exposed to a person with COVID-19. PCR tests are generally more sensitive than antigen tests, but antigen tests are good at detecting when people are most infectious.

    You should get tested if:
    • You have new symptoms that might mean you have COVID-19: fatigue, headache, body/muscle aches, cough, fever, sore throat, and/or congestion.

    You may consider getting testing if:
    • It's been two to five days after you have a known exposure to someone with COVID-19, especially if you are unvaccinated or have symptoms.

    You should not get tested with PCR testing if:
    • You have already tested positive by a home/antigen test. You should assume you have COVID-19 and isolate accordingly.
    • You have tested positive in the last 90 days. You do not need to get tested again unless you are newly symptomatic or required to quarantine. If this is your situation, use a home/antigen test.

    If you have symptoms and are unable to get tested:
    • Assume you have COVID-19 and follow isolation guidelines. If members of your household are having similar symptoms, and at least one of them tests positive for COVID-19, assume that all members are positive.
    • If you are having difficulty breathing or other severe symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
COVID-19 Vaccine and Testing
  • No Appointment Necessary for COVID-19 Vaccinations: The vaccine clinic locations listed below do not require advance appointments, however, capacity and wait times may vary. Appointments can be made at www.sccfreevax.org. Vaccines are free, and no insurance or proof of immigration status is required. Anyone age five or older is eligible. Staff will be onsite to support language needs and disability access. Individuals seeking vaccination are encouraged to arrive at least one hour before closing time. Additional clinic dates and locations are added frequently, check www.sccfreevax.org for the most up-to-date information. For Santa Clara County locations outside of San José, visit the County's vaccinations web page.

    Booster shots are now recommended for everyone 12 and older and available to those who received Pfizer or Moderna for their second dose at least five months ago or who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months ago. The Pfizer booster dose is available to anyone 12 and older; the Moderna booster is available to anyone 18 and older.

    At the sites where there are **, vaccines for 5-11 are not available.
  • Appointments Available for Testing This Week: Appointment-based testing continues at locations throughout Santa Clara County. For locations outside of San José, visit the County's COVID-19 testing web page. Walk-ins continue to be accepted at standing pop-up sites in San José.

    Please visit www.sccfreetest.org to make an appointment and find the most up-to-date information. Testing is free at all these sites.
    • Santa Clara County Fairgrounds - Parking Lot A
      344 Tully Rd., San José 95111 (Across from Gate B)
      Thursdays - Mondays, 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
      Tuesdays - Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

    • Valley Water (OptumServe/CDPH Bus)
      5750 Almaden Expy., San José 95118
      Mondays and Wednesdays, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

    • Costco Business Center (OptumServe/CDPH Bus)
      2376 S. Evergreen Loop, San José 95122
      Tuesdays and Fridays, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

    • Grand Century Mall (OptumServe/CDPH Bus)
      1111 Story Rd., San José 95122
      Thursdays, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

    • Santa Clara County Office of Education (OptumServe)
      1290 Ridder Park Dr., San José 95131
      Friday, Jan. 21, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

    • Santa Clara Valley Medical Center – East Valley Health Center
      1993 McKee Rd., San José 95116
      Saturdays and Sundays, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

    • Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (OptumServe)
      3331 N. First St., San José 95134
      Wednesday, Jan. 19, 7 to 11 a.m.

    • Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (OptumServe)
      3990 Zanker Rd., San José 95134
      Wednesday, Jan. 26, 7 to 11 a.m.
  • Pop-up Testing Sites: No appointments needed
    • Bay Area Community Health – Monterey Clinic
      5504 Monterey Hwy., San José 95138
      Wednesdays, 8 to 10 a.m.
      Saturdays, 9 to 11 a.m.

    County test sites provide COVID-19 tests free of charge, regardless of immigration status, and no doctor's note is needed. For people without COVID-19 symptoms, the County currently offers indoor and drive-through sites. People with symptoms are directed to drive-through sites to reduce the chance of getting others sick.

    All healthcare systems are required by the County order to offer free testing to symptomatic persons, persons who have been exposed to a confirmed COVID-19 case, and all essential workers. For more information on testing rights, see the Frequently Asked Questions page (https://www.sccgov.org/sites/covid19/Pages/order-health-officer-faq-06-15-20.aspx).

    All test sites are mapped on the County's website at www.sccfreetest.org. The site is available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Tagalog. Information is also available by calling 2-1-1.
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Esta información está disponible en español en www.sanjoseca.gov (https://www.sanjoseca.gov/news-stories/news/emergency-notifications/notificaciones-de-emergencia).

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這信息將以中文提供在 www.sanjoseca.gov (https://www.sanjoseca.gov/news-stories/news/emergency-notifications/chinese-flash-reports)

A person's risk for COVID-19 is not related to race, ethnicity or culture. City employees must abide by the Discrimination and Harassment policy, and treat colleagues and members of the public with courtesy and respect. Discrimination and/or Harassment of any kind is a violation of the policies and will not be tolerated.

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