Weekly COVID-19 Update

Riverside County COVID-19 Update

As of Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020, there are 56,201 cases of COVID-19 in Riverside County. There have been 1,136 deaths and 51,372 recoveries. For more detailed data on the County’s COVID-19 cases, visit www.rivcoph.org/coronavirus. For state updates, visit www.cdph.ca.gov, and for national updates, visit www.cdc.gov.   Riverside County is currently in the State’s most restricted category, the purple “widespread” category (see graphic below). In order to move to the State’s red “substantial” category, the County cannot experience more than seven new daily cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 residents and must have a positivity rate between five and eight percent. Currently, the County’s daily case rate is 6.7 per 100,000, and our positivity rate is 6.4 percent, which means that if we continue to maintain these metrics, we could be moving to the red tier very soon.

The County is close to moving to the red tier – therefore, it is imperative that we all do our part to make sure we maintain our numbers. That means wearing face coverings, practicing social distancing and avoiding large gatherings. Moreover, it is helpful for our residents to get PCR COVID-19 tests. You can get one of these tests at a private clinic or through the County by visiting gettested.ruhealth.org. Please note that PCR COVID-19 tests are not the same as the rapid antigen tests that some private facilities are offering. PCR tests deliver results in two or three days, while rapid antigen tests can deliver results in as little as an hour. Currently, State metrics only count PCR tests, so please help us reopen our businesses by getting a PCR test!

More Residents Needed for COVID Testing to Reopen Businesses

• Riverside County residents are needed for coronavirus testing to help slow the spread of coronavirus and help the county emerge from the state’s most restrictive purple tier.
• The county is currently in the purple tier, where the COVID-19 virus is considered widespread. Based on the state’s criteria, increased testing will result in a lower case rate, allowing the move to the red tier where the virus spread is considered substantial.
• Riverside County has the ability to test many more people than have been coming to test sites recently. Health officials believe this is partly due to more private providers offering antigen and antibody testing, which is not calculated in the state’s testing metric for active infections.
• There are 13 testing sites spread throughout Riverside County, both walk-in and drive-up services. To find locations and make an appointment, go online to gettested.ruhealth.org.

Business Assistance Grant Program Application Reopens

• Today, the third round of applications for the business assistance grant reopened. The application will remain open through Oct. 30 or until funds are exhausted.
• Expanded eligibility in round three includes recipients of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans of $75,000 and under.
• Other eligible businesses include private for-profit businesses that have experienced a financial hardship as a result of COVID-19; businesses with fewer than 50 employees; businesses operating for a minimum of one year as of March 1, 2020; businesses that received the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) or advance and sole proprietors.
• For more information on any of these programs, click here, call 951-955-0493 or email bizinfo@rivco.org.

Nonprofit Assistance Fund Application Reopens

• The Riverside County Nonprofit Assistance Fund has reopened its application for a second round of funding. Current grantees of the Riverside County Nonprofit Assistance Fund and organizations that received $100,000 or more in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans are ineligible to receive this grant.
• Nonprofit, public-benefit organizations with evidence of tax-exempt status that are not classified as private foundations are eligible to apply. Business leagues, chambers of commerce, real estate boards, boards of trade and other organizations classified under Section 501(c) (6) of the Internal Revenue Code are also eligible to apply
• Nonprofits must be headquartered or have an office in Riverside County, have fewer than 50 employees and have budgets of less than $1,000,000.
• Nonprofits may apply from Sept. 11 to Sept. 30 for grants ranging between $2,500 and $10,000, depending upon need and overall demand.
• To apply, click here.

REMINDER: Rental Relief Application Reopened on Sept. 15

• The County of Riverside is offering $33.3 million in rental relief to individuals and families who have lost income due to COVID-19 and cannot make rent payments.
• Applicants must be at or below 80 percent of the county’s median income. Priority will be given to individuals who are not eligible to receive unemployment benefits.
• The application will reopen on the 15^th of each month and close on the 25^th of each month until December 2020 or until the funds are depleted. Disbursements will go out the first week of each month.
• To apply, click here or call 2-1-1.