Update on County Response to COVID-19: 2021 Board President Selected, Great Plates Extended; and COVID-19 Testing and Case Count
Redwood City – The County of San Mateo continues to work to protect public health and safety in response to the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19.
The County of San Mateo's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) remains open to coordinate countywide response and communications in response to the situation. The EOC's Joint Information Center will provide status reports every Tuesday and Thursday until further notice. Today's report:
Incoming, Outgoing Board Presidents Reflect on COVID-19
The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors today unanimously selected Supervisor David Canepa, who represents District Five in the North County, as the 2021 president during its annual reorganization.
This marks Canepa's first turn as president since joining the Board in January 2017.
Upon acceptance of the appointment Canepa remarked that "2020 was an opportunity to reflect and think about where we are and where we are headed." With continued challenges ahead, he said, "We must dream big." Canepa noted that the ongoing battle against COVID-19 and community vaccinations remain the utmost priority in 2021 while also addressing the disparities that have been exposed by the pandemic.
Canepa succeeds District Four Supervisor Warren Slocum who served as president in 2020. Slocum finished his tenure as president by recognizing County employees for their tremendous work in an unexpected year made more difficult by the "ever-changing nature of the rules of the game." Read the full release
Great Plates Delivered Program Extended
The Board of Supervisors today voted to continue funding of the successful Great Plates Delivered program through Feb. 6. The program has been a critical resource during the pandemic for qualifying seniors in San Mateo County who can't shop for or prepare meals for themselves.
Between May 9, 2020 and December 4, 2020 in San Mateo County, the Great Plates Delivered program provided 1,062,105 meals to older adults and added $23,366,310 to the local restaurant economy.
Seniors who are aged 65 or older, or seniors aged 60-64 at high-risk from COVID-19 may be eligible to receive 18 free meals each week - from local restaurants - straight to the front door through the program. Learn more at https://www.smcgov.org/food
COVID-19 Testing Available in County for Adults and Children
Safe, easy and no-cost testing is widely available at County-sponsored locations for everyone who works or lives in San Mateo County — regardless of symptoms.
To get a COVID-19 test, San Mateo County residents should first contact their health care provider.
If you cannot get a timely test through your health care provider, the following County-sponsored testing options are available.
San Mateo County Event Center
Appointments are available for adults and children at least one-year old Tuesdays through Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the San Mateo County Event Center, 1346 Saratoga Drive, San Mateo, 94403.
The test is no-cost to you but insurance will be billed if available (please have your insurance information ready). Make an appointment here
Contact the LHI Call Center at (888) 634-1123 for assistance making an appointment if you do not have access to the internet and to schedule testing for children under 13.
Rotating Testing Locations
The following locations offer testing for anyone over 12 years old on a rotating basis.
San Mateo County COVID-19 Case Count
San Mateo County Health has updated the number of positive cases to 25,973 as of Jan. 4, 2021.
County Health provides detailed information on cases by age group and date and deaths by age group. Learn more at https://www.smchealth.org/coronavirus
Residents with non-medical, non-emergency questions about the coronavirus can call 211 or 800-273-6222 at any time, day or night. Callers from landlines and cellular telephones located within San Mateo County are connected with a trained service professional from 211, a confidential service available in 180 languages.
Jan. 5, 2021: Update on County Response to COVID-19