SAN DIEGO–The County Board of Supervisors received its first update of the year on the region’s COVID-19 response.
This was also the first public COVID-19 briefing for the three new board members who were sworn in last week.
The board voted to increase enforcement on businesses and operations that are not in compliance with the safe reopening plans and extended the Great Plates Delivered program providing free meals and income stipend programs. The board also voted to ensure that enforcement efforts are being applied consistently based on scientific data around how and where COVID-19 spreads.
Board members also directed staff to look into whether it is possible to exclude businesses that have repeatedly violated public health orders from eligibility for COVID-19 financial assistance programs.
To date, the county has received more than 17,000 complaints about health order violations and the county’s Safe Reopening Compliance Team has issued 335 cease and desist orders. Complaints about violations have exponentially increased since the region moved into the Purple Tier in November, with more than half of all complaints made in the past month.
Right now vaccine supply remains limited and only San Diegans who fall into Phase 1A of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution can get vaccinated. This includes primarily people who work in health care and employees and residents of long-term care facilities. Healthcare personnel who are eligible to be vaccinated at this time are encouraged to contact their medical provider first to request a vaccination.
Phase 1A eligible residents who are unable to get vaccinated through their health care provider, can make an appointment online at www.VaccinationSuperStationSD.com. Appointments are limited and individuals are encouraged to check the website regularly if they cannot secure an appointment right away.
“We understand that demand for the COVID-19 vaccination is high and that our community has many questions about the vaccination process,” said Nick Macchione, director of the County Health and Human Services Agency. “The county will roll out a website feature soon that will clarify the tier system and allow the general public to sign up for notifications about when and where they can get their COVID-19 vaccine. A dashboard is also being developed that will show how many San Diegans have been vaccinated with their first and second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.”
