LATEST NEWS

Sept. 26, 2023

The City of Mountain View’s COVID-19 relief efforts included homeless prevention and supportive housing relief, small business relief, access to testing and vaccinations, and donations to the community. View the summary of these efforts by reading this one page COVID-19 Relief Efforts document.

Sept. 25, 2023

As of Monday, Sept. 25, the public can order more COVID-19 tests at no cost from the U.S. government.

Four free tests are available to order per household through CovidTests.gov. People without an internet connection can call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489) to request tests.

Covid-19 rapid tests can be taken at home and can be used regardless of whether someone has symptoms. The tests should be good through the end of the year. Some of the dates on the tests may show that they are expired, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has extended those dates.

March 2, 2023

As of Tuesday, Feb. 28, the City of Mountain View’s local State of Emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic ended. The City’s action follows the State of California’s State of Emergency ending on Tuesday, Feb. 28.

On March 12, 2020, City Manager Kimbra McCarthy – in her capacity as the Director of Emergency Services – issued a proclamation of a local emergency due to the spread of COVID-19 locally and throughout the state. The City Council then ratified the City Manager’s proclamation on March 17, 2020. That same day, the City paused all non-essential services in an effort to slow and minimize the spread of COVID-19.

For more details, view the City's news release.

Feb. 28, 2023

California's COVID-19 state of emergency officially ends Tuesday, Feb. 28. Governor Gavin Newsom declared the state of emergency on March 4, 2020. 

In January, the White House announced the two federal emergencies will end May 11: the national emergency and the public health emergency. 

For more information, view the Governor's Oct. 17, 2022 news release.

Jan. 31, 2023

On Monday, Jan. 31, President Biden announced the COVID-19 emergency declarations will end on May 11, nearly three years after the United States imposed sweeping pandemic measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

The federal government has been paying for COVID-19 vaccines, some tests and certain treatments under the national emergency and public health emergency declarations. When they expire, those costs will be transferred to private insurance and government health plans.

Dec. 28, 2022

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the United States will implement testing requirements for travelers arriving from China.

Passengers will be required to show a negative coronavirus test or documentation that they have recovered from an infection before boarding flights enroute to the United States. The requirement applies to these air passengers regardless of nationality and vaccination status. The new requirement goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. ET on Jan. 5, 2023.

For more information, view the CDC news release.

Dec. 15, 2022

Twelve Bay Area public health officials issues a news release about easy actions everyone can take to stay healthy this holiday season. These recommended actions come as another surge in COVID infections, along with high levels of influenza (flu) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), are straining healthcare systems and impacting families. 

The tips include get vaccinated against flu and COVID, stay home if sick, wear a mask in indoor public places, get tested before and indoor gathering or if you feel sick, and get treatment, if needed. View the news release from the Bay Area health officials.

Also on Thursday, Dec. 15, U.S. households are now able to request four (4) more free at-home COVID tests from the federal government. The White House announced making more at-home tests available at no cost as part of a new winter preparedness plan as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are rising around the country.

The public is encouraged to use at-home COVID-19 tests when they have symptoms of COVID-19, before and after traveling for the holidays, or visiting indoors with immunocompromised people.

To order the tests, visit COVIDTests.gov or call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489) to get help in more than 150 languages. The help line is open 8 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week.

Dec. 6, 2022

On Tuesday, Dec. 6, the County of Santa Clara announced COVID-19 levels are rising in all four wastewater sewersheds in Santa Clara County. 

The County's wastewater monitoring program has detected a sharp increase in COVID-19 levels this past month. The current rise in COVID-19, along with high levels of flu and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) within the county, should serve as a stark reminder for everyone eligible to get vaccinated against both flu and COVID as soon as possible, especially in advance of the holidays.

Everyone is encouraged to check with their primary physician about receiving the flu and bivalent Omicron booster vaccines. Those without a primary healthcare provider or who are having difficulty finding an appointment can go through sccfreevax.org for an appointment. With County locations, there is no cost to be vaccinated or questions regarding immigration status. 

Oct. 18, 2022

Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Oct. 17 that the COVID-19 State of Emergency will end on Feb. 28, 2023. According to the Governor's Office, timeline gives the health care system needed flexibility to handle any potential surge that may occur after the holidays in January and February, in addition to providing state and local partners the time needed to prepare for this phaseout and set themselves up for success afterwards.

For more information, view the Governor's Office news release.

Oct. 17, 2022

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has approved the expanded use of the updated (bivalent) COVID-19 vaccines to children ages 5 through 11 years. This follows the Food and Drug Administration’s authorization of updated COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech for children ages 5 through 11 years, and from Moderna for children and adolescents ages 6 through 17 years.

For more details, view the CDC website.

Sept. 12, 2022

The County of Santa Clara issued a news release on Sept. 12, 2022, indicating that the County of Santa Clara health officer has rescinded public health orders. The County stated, "In light of continued widespread vaccination and the availability of COVID-19 testing in our community, Dr. Sara Cody, Health Officer and Director of Public Health for the County of Santa Clara, announced the rescission of the few remaining local health orders related to COVID-19."   

The new Health Order puts in place a local requirement—identical to the State’s requirements—for use of face coverings in higher-risk settings.  

The Sept. 12 order includes: "important recommendations from the Health Officer to continue to keep the community safe from COVID-19: (1) everyone should get vaccinated and remain up to date with the latest recommended booster, including with the new bivalent COVID-19 booster; (2) everyone should use face coverings when indoors and around others; (3) businesses and governmental entities should continue to implement mandatory vaccination requirements for their workers; and (4) everyone, regardless of vaccination status, should get immediately tested and avoid contact with others if they have COVID-19 symptoms."

Sept. 2, 2022
The County of Santa Clara announced today that its mass vaccination locations and local clinics are prepared to administer the updated Moderna and Pfizer bivalent COVID-19 boosters once supplies arrive. The first significant shipment of the bivalent COVID-19 vaccines is not expected to be delivered until next week with new vaccination appointments being scheduled no earlier than Wednesday, Sept. 7.

The County will follow federal recommendations and no longer provide the original COVID-19 booster to those eligible for the bivalent booster. There are no COVID-19 booster shot changes for the 5-11 year-old age group. The County is awaiting official guidance regarding the optimal timing to receive the updated booster shot under various scenarios.

Both vaccines are “bivalent” and should provide a greater level of defense against COVID-19 by targeting the original strain of the novel coronavirus as well as the currently dominant Omicron BA.5 variant. The Pfizer Omicron booster will be available for people 12 and older, and the Moderna booster will be available to individuals 18 and older.

Everyone is encouraged to check with their primary physician about receiving the bivalent Omicron booster vaccine. Those without a primary healthcare provider or who are having difficulty finding an appointment can go through sccFreeVax.org for an appointment.

August 2, 2022

The County of Santa Clara announced today that it has acquired the new Novavax COVID-19 vaccine and will begin administering the vaccine at all County Health System vaccination sites on Tuesday, August 2.

Unlike the currently available Pfizer and Moderna vaccines that use an mRNA-based approach to developing immunity, Novavax uses traditional protein-based technology. Both types of vaccines are very safe and effective at preventing serious illness and death from COVID-19.

Everyone is encouraged to check with their primary physician about receiving the initial Novavax COVID-19 vaccination series. Those without a primary healthcare provider or having difficulty finding an appointment can go through sccFreeVax.org for an appointment.

July 20, 2022

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) approved the use of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine on July 19, 2022, and the County of Santa Clara will begin the process of acquiring the vaccine.

According to County Public Health officials, the Novavax vaccine will become a viable first series option for adults 18 and older in Santa Clara County, but it will not be a booster option at this time based on FDA approval.

Unlike the currently available Pfizer and Moderna vaccines that use an mRNA-based approach to developing immunity, Novavax uses traditional protein-based technology. Both methods are very safe and very effective at preventing serious illness and death from COVID-19.

June 20, 2022

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all children 6 months through 5 years of age should receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Per the CDC, parents and caregivers can now get their children 6 months through 5 years of age vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines to better protect them from COVID-19. All children, including children who have already had COVID-19, should get vaccinated.

The vaccines are expected to be available at pediatric practices, pharmacies, local health departments, clinics and other locations this week. The CDC advises parents to reach out to their doctor, nurse, local pharmacy, or health department, or visit vaccines.gov to see where vaccines for children are available. 

For more information, read the CDC news release.

June 7, 2022

The City of Mountain View is partnering with the County of Santa Clara to offer COVID-19 testing in our community. Testing will be by appointment and drop-in as supplies allow on Monday, June 13 at the Mountain View Community Center, located at 201 S. Rengstorff Ave.

To make an appointment please visit  https://scl.fulgentgenetics.com/appointment. You can schedule from your phone or from a computer using a web browser other than Internet Explorer. Appointments are open seven (7) days before the testing date and will be available starting June 6. Once all appointments are filled, this location will no longer appear for scheduling on the website.

This testing site is not designed to test individuals with symptoms of COVID-19. Individuals with symptoms should contact their healthcare provider for evaluation and testing. Please visit sccFreeTest.org for additional testing locations.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children ages 5–11 should get a COVID-19 vaccine booster 5 months after their second vaccine dose. The CDC said boosters help protect you from the worst outcomes of COVID, and everyone ages 5 and older should get them.

To schedule a free booster appointment in Santa Clara County, visit sccFreeVax.org. 

May 18, 2022

The last day for the public to get a COVID-19 vaccination at the Mountain View Community Center is now Saturday, May 28.

The original closing date for the County of Santa Clara-operated vaccination site was Wednesday, May 25. However, the Community Center will continue to host the site for a few days longer since vaccine demand is expected to go up. That's because the Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday authorized a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11.

To schedule an appointment prior to the closure, go to sccFreeVax.org.

Also, every home in the U.S. is eligible to order a third round of free at-home COVID-19 tests through the federal government. Order yours online at COVIDtests.gov or by calling 1-800-232-0233.

May 13, 2022

Bay Area health officers urge the public to take precautions like masking indoors as COVID-19 levels rise.

May 10, 2022

The last day for the public to get a COVID-19 vaccination at the Mountain View Community Center is Wednesday, May 25. That’s because the County of Santa Clara-operated vaccination site is concluding operations this month. 

As a result, the City of Mountain View will resume providing the community with in-demand recreation programming including summer camps and special events at the Community Center.

Since January 2021, more than 138,200 COVID-19 vaccinations have been provided at the Community Center. As of May 9, 85.8% of County residents are vaccinated.

April 13, 2022

On Wednesday, April 13, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention extended for two more weeks the mask mandate for public transportation including airplanes, trains and buses that was set to expire Monday. The CDC cited concerns about increasing cases in the Northeast.

The order will remain in effect until at least May 3, 2022.

April 5, 2022

As of Wednesday, April 6, 2022, the County of Santa Clara-operated COVID-19 vaccination site at the Mountain View Community Center will return to appointment-only vaccinations. 

To schedule a free COVID-19 vaccination, visit sccFreeVax.org. 

March 30, 2022

In partnership with the County of Santa Clara, the City of Mountain View will host a Drive-thru COVID-19 Test Kit Distribution on Friday, April 1 from 6-8 p.m., or until supplies last. 

The drive-thru distribution will take place in the Mountain View Senior Center parking lot located at 266 Escuela Ave. in Mountain View. Please do not arrive before 5:45 p.m. Distribution will start at 6 p.m. 

Each individual present in the vehicle will receive two test kits and four N95 masks, all courtesy of the County of Santa Clara. Each test kit includes two at-home tests. Recipients must live, work, or attend school within Santa Clara County to qualify.

Programs operating at the Senior Center location will be in operation until 5:30 pm.

March 29, 2022

4th COVID-19 Booster Shot: On Tuesday, March 29, the Food and Drug Administration authorized another COVID-19 booster for people age 50 and older. The FDA's decision opens a fourth dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines to individuals at least four months after their previous booster.

Until now, the FDA had approved fourth doses only for people 12 and older who have severely weakened immune systems.

Mobile Vaccination Clinic: On Tuesday, April 5, El Camino Health will host a mobile COVID-19 vaccination clinic at Graham Middle School, 1175 Castro St. The mobile vaccination clinic is open to the community. The clinic's hours will be 3:30-7:30 p.m. No appointment is required; walk-ins are welcome.

For more details, view the flyer.

March 8, 2022

You can now order more COVID-19 at-home tests, at no cost, through the federal government. You can order them online at COVIDtests.gov, or by calling 1-800-232-0233.

Each order consists of four rapid antigen tests, and will ship free. Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order two sets of 4 free at-⁠home tests.

March 1, 2022

On Tuesday, March 1, the County of Santa Clara Public Health Department announced that all masking metrics have been met and, as a result, indoor masking will no longer be required beginning Wednesday, March 2. However, the Public Health Department and the California Department of Public Health strongly recommend that the public continue to wear masks in all indoor public spaces.

The California Department of Public Health continues to require masking in higher-risk settings such as public transit, healthcare facilities, shelters, jails, and long-term care facilities. For information on the State’s requirements, visit https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/guidance-for-face-coverings.aspx.

February 24, 2022

The indoor masking requirement in most public spaces Santa Clara County may be lifted as soon as Wednesday, March 2, 2022.

The County of Santa Clara issued a news release, stating that the universal indoor mask requirement is expected to transition to a recommendation on March 2. However, the State of California's indoor masking requirements still apply for unvaccinated individuals and in certain settings regardless of vaccination status.

Feb. 9, 2022

The County of Santa Clara Public Health Department announced today, Feb. 9, that it will not lift local indoor masking requirements when the State lifts its indoor masking requirement next week.

Instead, Santa Clara County will continue to base decisions on whether and when to lift indoor masking requirements on the risks posed by COVID-19, using clearly defined metrics related to vaccination, hospitalizations, and COVID-19 case rates. Los Angeles County has likewise announced it will not immediately lift its local masking requirement. 

The County anticipates that it will be able to lift indoor masking requirements in a matter of weeks, as case rates continue to decline.

Feb. 7, 2022

As COVID-19 cases continue to rapidly decline, California will end its indoor masking requirement for vaccinated people on Tuesday, Feb. 15 but masks will still be required for schoolchildren. That's according to state health officials.

After Feb. 15, unvaccinated people still will be required to be masked indoors. No matter their vaccination status, individuals will be required to wear masks in higher-risk areas including public transit, nursing homes and other congregate living facilities.

Workplaces will continue to follow the COVID-19 prevention standards set by CalOSHA.

Local governments can continue their own indoor masking requirements. No update yet from the County of Santa Clara, which has an indoor masking requirement currently in effect.

For more information, visit the California Department of Public Health website.

Jan. 24, 2022

The County of Santa Clara is offering limited additional free at-home COVID-19 antigen tests to those who live, work, or attend school in the county. This release of an additional 7,650 appointments will allow each individual to receive four (4) COVID-19 tests and individuals may sign up at sccFreeTest.org.

Each individual will be assigned a unique QR code which must be displayed to receive the tests. Tests are not available on a drop-in basis without an appointment. The County will also provide free N95 masks for those who receive the COVID-19 antigen tests.

Each appointment will be made for one of four locations:

• Hellyer County Park, 985 Hellyer Ave., San José
• Martial Cottle Park, 5283 Snell Ave., San José
• Vasona County Park, 333 Blossom Hill Road, Los Gatos
• Foothill College, 12345 El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills (offers evening hours)

The previous 15,000 appointments release last Friday morning were all claimed that day.

Jan. 21, 2022

Starting Saturday, Jan. 22, four drive-up sites will have free at-home antigen tests provided by the County of Santa Clara. Sign up to pick up through sccFreeTest.org where residents will answer a few questions and get an appointment at a location and at a specific time to pick up their four free kits.

The four sites are currently:

• Hellyer County Park, 985 Hellyer Ave., San José
• Martial Cottle Park, 5283 Snell Ave., San José
• Vasona County Park, 333 Blossom Hill Road, Los Gatos
• Foothill College, 12345 El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills (offers evening hours)

Four tests are available per person. Expansion of the program is being considered. For now, there are more than 15,000 appointments available. In addition, the County is also distributing tests through outreach teams, nonprofits, first responders and other essential workers.

Jan. 18, 2022

Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order four free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days. Visit COVID19Tests.gov for more information and to order tests.

Todos los hogares de EE.UU. son elegibles para ordenar quatro pruebas caseras gratuitas de COVID-⁠19. Las pruebas son gratuitas. Las pruebas serán enviadas en un plazo de 7 a 12 días a partir del pedido. Pida ahora sus pruebas para tenerlas cuando las necesite en COVID19Tests.gov. 

County and National Public Health Information

The Santa Clara County Public Health Department has a webpage dedicated to novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in English, Chinese, Spanish and Vietnamese.

Santa Clara County Public Health Information

• Latest Updates on cases in the County

National Center for Disease Control (CDC)

• COVID-19 Prevention Actions
• CDC Resources for Travelers

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