On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we remember a great leader and the inspirational legacy he left behind.
In observance of this important day, the City of Napa's (virtual) offices will be closed on Monday, Jan. 18 in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We will reopen on Tuesday, Jan. 19.
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Napa County Sets Goal to Administer 10,000 COVID-19 Vaccinations a Week Phase 1A Vaccinations Continue as County Moves to Phase 1B, Prioritizing Seniors
Napa County received an additional allocation of 4,400 COVID-19 vaccination doses from the State as part of the goal to deliver 10,000 doses a week to those who live and work in the community. County leadership has identified this vaccination effort as the number one priority behind life safety for the next several months and is redirecting County staff from across a number of departments to help support it. Local jurisdictions from within the County and community groups are also bringing resources to bear in this effort.
“We have set an aggressive goal for ourselves,” stated Napa County Board Chair Alfredo Pedroza. “I’m confident that with the continued help of our dedicated volunteers and local healthcare partners, especially St. Helena Hospital, that we can deliver on this goal if vaccine allocations continue. On behalf of the County, I’d like to thank our State leadership, including Senator Bill Dodd and Assembly Member Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, for their roles in helping us secure these additional doses so we can carry on with the work we are doing to bring back the health and vitality of our community.”
State guidelines recently expanded access to COVID-19 vaccinations to include individuals age 65 and older. The County is moving swiftly through COVID-19 vaccination Phase 1a and its tiers. As this phase nears completion, Napa County has been scheduling appointments for Phase 1b individuals, including those age 75 and older. Individuals ages 65-74 will be the next group prioritized to receive the vaccine. Other systems, including Kaiser and pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens and Safeway are also expected to expand access to vaccine appointments to their older patients in Napa County in the coming weeks.
Napa County has also created an online Phase 1 Covid-19 Vaccine Interest Form . This interest form allows those remaining in Phase 1B to express their interest, identify their eligibility, and provide their contact information to the County. Individuals will then be informed about where they may obtain a vaccination as eligibility expands and vaccination supplies from the state allow.
“We are looking forward to the time when vaccines are plentiful, just like flu vaccines are now,” stated Napa County Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Relucio. “However, until that time, we will continue to prioritize within the guidelines set by the State as vaccine supply allows. Our overarching tenet as we continue to expand the pace and scale of our local vaccination efforts is to follow the prioritization categories.”
Please note that no one will ever be asked to pay out of pocket for vaccines or a “slot” on a waiting list. The County’s website is the official source for vaccine-related information in Napa County, and will be updated to reflect which community members are currently eligible to receive the vaccine, based on availability from the State. For those needing assistance, help is available in both Spanish and English from the County’s call center at (707) 253-4540.
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COVID-19 Testing
There has been some frustration with the state’s new COVID-19 testing vendor as they work to transition services at over 80 testing sites across California, including the ones in Napa County. Residents who have scheduled appointments this week waited in excess of 60 minutes for their tests. While the contract for service is between the vendor and the State, please be assured Napa County officials are aggressively advocating for more efficiency so that residents can receive the level of customer service they have come to expect and deserve over the last 10 months. Ultimately, the goal is that the new vendor’s extended hours and testing availability for all ages to benefit the community going forward. On a positive note, test results are consistently coming back within 24-48 hours. Community members can create a new profile and schedule appointments at COVID-19 Test Registration (lhi.care).
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Regional Stay Home Order Extension
Due to the Bay Area Region continued Intensive Care Unit (ICU) capacity of less than 15%, the State’s Regional Stay Home Order that began at 11:59 PM on Thursday December 17, 2020 is being extended.
The Regional Stay Home Order instructs Californians to continue to stay at home as much as possible and to stop mixing between households that can lead to the spread of COVID-19. The order still allows access to critical services and outdoor activities to preserve Californians’ physical and mental health. The Regional Stay Home Order is intended to help limit exposure, interrupt transmission, and prevent overwhelming regional ICU capacity.
This order prohibits private gatherings of any size, closes certain business sectors except for critical infrastructure and retail, and requires 100% masking and physical distancing in all sectors. For more sector specific details, click here.
The order will remain in effect until the region’s ICU capacity projected out four weeks is equal or greater than 15%. This will be assessed on a weekly basis. To check the daily ICU capacity by region, click here.
“We are just now beginning to see the effects of December holiday gatherings and travel,” stated Napa County Health Officer Dr. Karen Relucio. “It bears repeating that ICU capacity is not only critical for COVID-19 patients, it can also mean the difference between life and death for community members suffering from non-COVID related medical conditions or trauma. Hospitalizations are at an all-time high and we’ve reported more local deaths during the first week of the New Year than we did during our peak month of 2020. It will take all of us working together to move in the right direction.”
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Napa County Seeks Medical Volunteers
Are you a nurse, pharmacist, paramedic, EMT, dentist or physician looking to serve your community? Napa County Public Health is seeking medical volunteers to help administer COVID-19 vaccinations once vaccine supplies are sufficient. To apply as a Medical Volunteer or find out more information about this program, please visit: https://www.countyofnapa.org/910/Medical-Reserve-Corps
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Taking Care of Your Mental Health
This pandemic has brought so many challenges to each and every one of us, in some way or another. The financial, emotional and mental toll it has taken is severe. We wanted to take the time to acknowledge that there are many in our community who are suffering, specifically with mental health. In 2021 alone, we have already lost too many to suicide.
Here are some resources, both local and national, that can help. Making a phone call, and lending a supportive ear, when someone might be suffering the most, could make all the difference in their time of need.
We would like to ask you all to take the time to look at some of the links and check in with your family members and friends. We have the ability to help reduce the possibility of future tragedies, and to help those left behind. We can support each other!
Napa County Mental Health (County mental health services)
MENTIS (A Local Non Profit- low cost counseling services)
National Institute of Mental Health
Society for the Prevention of Suicide (how to talk to your children)
Napa Chaps - Chaplain Lee Shaw has been and is a great resource for our community and beyond. He and his team are always there for those in need.
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More Relief on the Way for Small Business OwnersU.S. Small Business Administration will re-open the #PaycheckProtection Program loan portal to PPP-eligible lenders with $1 billion or less in assets for First and Second Draw applications on Friday, January 15 at 9 am ET . The portal will fully open on Tuesday, January 9 to all participating PPP lenders to submit First and Second Draw loan applications to SBA.
Earlier in the week, SBA granted dedicated PPP access to Community Financial Institutions which include Community Development Financial Institutions, Minority Depository Institutions, Certified Development Companies, and Microloan Intermediaries as part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to reach underserved and minority small businesses.
On Friday, SBA will continue its emphasis on reaching smaller lenders and businesses by opening to approximately 5,000 more lenders, including community banks, credit unions, and farm credit institutions. Moreover, the agency also plans to have dedicated service hours for these smaller lenders after the portal fully re-opens next week.
First Draw PPP Loans are for those borrowers who have not received a PPP loan before August 8, 2020. The first round of the PPP, which ran from March to August 2020. Second Draw PPP Loans are for eligible small businesses with 300 employees or less, that previously received a First Draw PPP Loan and will use or have used the full amount only for authorized uses, and that can demonstrate at least a 25% reduction in gross receipts between comparable quarters in 2019 and 2020.
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Support for Small Businesses: CA Rebuilding Fund
Supporting small businesses stimulates economic growth across the state.
The CA Rebuilding Fund supports entrepreneurs & gives CA's underserved communities access to capital to keep their doors open during #COVID19. |
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Let’s All Do Our PartBe A Good Napa Neighbor
As COVID-19 cases continue to rise exponentially across the state, it is more important than ever to be a good #NapaNeighbor. Staying home is the best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to keep yourself and your family healthy.
Remember to:
- Wear a mask whenever you're out or around others
- Stay six feet away from those outside your household
- Wash your hands consistently throughout the day
- Stay home if you aren't feeling well
- Self-isolate if you have been exposed to someone who may have COVID-19
For more information on when and how to quarantine, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/quarantine.html.
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Let Your Sprinklers Stay on HolidayIt looks like Napa will be warming up this MLK Weekend, but spring-like temperatures don’t mean spring-like watering. With limited daylight hours and chilly nights, your lawn knows it’s still winter… so let that sprinkler system remain on holiday and keep those water bills down! After this warm spell, a transition to colder (and wetter!) weather is projected for the last ten days of January. For year-round tips, check out sample irrigation schedules in the Napa Valley Watering Guide. |
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Pay Your Water Bill Online
Did you know you can pay your City of Napa water bill online? From the comfort of your couch, you can pay your bill when, where and how you want with the City's online bill experience. All you need is your account number from your paper bill.
Pay your water bill now. |
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Stay Connected and Informed
You can never be too prepared for an emergency. Make sure you are immediately notified when an emergency occurs in Napa by signing up for Nixle.
This free information service sends real-time alerts and notifications about emergencies, traffic problems, crime watch notices and more to your cell phone or email. Text your zip code to 888-777 or visit http://Nixle.com to sign up.
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Napa County Library - A Great Source for Entertainment
If you need some new books or movies to stay entertained while you stay safer at home, check out the Napa County Library! You can check out virtual books, rent movies and find a number of resources and educational materials from home. You can also follow their Facebook page to be notified for a number of virtual events and different video series.
The library is also open for curbside pick ups and walk-in visits. You must wear a mask at all times in the library. Go anytime Monday through Saturday from 10 AM - 5:30 PM or on Sunday from 1 - 4:30 PM.
Visit https://www.countyofnapa.org/library/ for more information.
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Stay Connected!Now, more than ever, staying connected is so important. Follow the City of Napa on social media, subscribe to our e-newsletter and register for Nixle alerts today! |
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