RivCo COVID-19 Update - Issued October 30, 2020
  Tuesday (Oct. 27) marked a brand-new era for the County of Riverside as it unveiled the RivCo NOW campaign to embody the county’s movement and advancement toward the future. The campaign’s logo and slogan “Community Now. Services Now. RivCo NOW.” describes the strong sense of community that makes up Riverside County, and the innovative county services that support community wellbeing.
The hallmark of the campaign is the RivCo NOW video, which showcases the beautiful landscape of Riverside County, residents invested in their community, and county employees dedicated to public service. From families to farmers to educators – there is a deep sense of community in Riverside County, and the County of Riverside rises to provide important services.
Residents, visitors and business operators may learn more about county programs and services at the county’s website at RivCo.org. The new site offers improved ease of use so that people quickly get the information they need. In 2021, other county departments will reveal new websites to match the look and feel of the county’s new site.
The county’s public access channels are now available online at RivCoTV.org livestreamed, as well as on-demand playback.
RivCo TV also airs on AT&T (channel 99) and Frontier (channel 36).
Follow us on social media at Riverside County Now on Twitter and Facebook.
 Following a successful coronavirus testing event earlier this month at the Palm Springs Convention Center, Riverside County’s mobile testing team is returning to the Coachella Valley to provide free coronavirus tests to residents over the next two weeks.
The Riverside University Health System – Public Health mobile testing team will hold testing events in Coachella, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Sun City Palm Desert, and the unincorporated area adjacent to the City of Desert Hot Springs. Four of the testing sites will be open to the general public, while two others are focused on specific groups, such as staff of a business.
To speed up the process, appointments are highly recommended. Within a few days, residents will be able to make appointments online at https://gettested.ruhealth.org.
The community testing sites, open to any resident, are:
- Grace Church, in the unincorporated area adjacent to the City of Desert Hot Springs, 17‑400 Bubbling Wells Rd., 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31.
- The Palm Springs Convention Center, located in Palm Springs, 277 N. Avenida Caballeros, 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Nov. 3 and Nov. 4.
- Desert Palms Apartments in Coachella, 50-600 Suncrest St., 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Nov. 4.
- The Palm Desert Community Center in Palm Desert, 43-900 San Pablo Ave., 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Nov. 12 and Nov. 13.
All residents are encouraged to get tested, which helps public health officials identify cases and ultimately slow the spread of the virus by more effectively isolating those who are COVID‑positive so they can recover without passing the virus to others. Testing is for everyone, regardless of immigration status, insurance, or whether one has symptoms or not. There is no charge to the individual.
In addition, Riverside County is bringing mobile testing to:
- Sun City Palm Desert, 38-180 Del Webb Blvd., Palm Desert, Nov. 6, for residents of Sun City Palm Desert.
- The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens in Palm Desert, 47-900 Portola Ave., Nov. 9, for staff and volunteers of The Living Desert and their families.
These mobile testing sites supplement the county-operated testing site at the Riverside County Fairgrounds in Indio, and state-operated testing sites in Desert Hot Springs and Indio. Riverside County residents are also getting tested at pharmacies, community health centers, nonprofit health clinics, hospitals, private testing sites and urgent cares.
For a map of county and state-operated testing sites and to schedule an appointment, visit https://gettested.ruhealth.org.
 As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, voting has been made easier to accommodate for social distancing so that all residents may vote safely.
Here is what you need to know:
- Returning ballots by USPS or at an official drop off box are preferred for social distancing
- In-person voting is still possible at a voter assistance centers
- All 130 voter assistance centers will be open from Oct. 31 – Nov. 3.
- People are not assigned to specific locations (different from polling places).
- Find locations at VoteInfo.net.
- People can also request curbside voting at these voter assistance centers.
- Last weekend’s early vote centers were very successful:
- Four locations were open for early voting:
- Total in-person ballots cast: 2,780
- Total vote by mail ballots collected at the early voting locations: 2,650
Visit VoteInfo.net for a complete listing of all voter assistance centers in Riverside County.
Track your ballot here: WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov.
 Riverside County resident Remington January is like many local youth – she is feeling the pandemic.
The 14-year-old freshman has had to adjust to a new world, but is relying on her creativity and artistic aspirations to make sense of it all.
“My virtual arts instructor and I decided to try out different ways to make a COVID poster,” Remington shared.
The result is four paneled concept that utilizes different media in each panel – oil, acrylic, paper and clay – to express a powerful message for her peers.
“Hanging out with your friends is not worth getting COVID. Don’t be a fool!”
Remington added that she is interested in art and photography and hopes to make a career of it someday.
We appreciate your support and creativity, Remington!
 More than 700 Riverside County residents took advantage of the free flu shot clinics offered by RUHS Public Health over the last few weeks.
The clinics – held in Lake Elsinore, Riverside and Indio – allowed participants to drive up and receive a flu shot to protect against seasonal influenza.
Staff used the mass vaccination clinics as preparation for planning and staffing when a COVID-19 vaccine becomes available to the public.
Didn’t get your shot? No problem. There is still time.
Call your healthcare provider to schedule a visit, or check out www.ruhealth.org/flu for an interactive map of flu shot clinics located throughout Riverside County.
 There is help for small and local businesses striving to overcome the challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic in Riverside County.
Riverside County Business & Community Services offers a helpful hub of information and resources for businesses seeking guidance and basic information about such opportunities as the Business Ambassador Program.
To learn more, visit www.rivcobizhelp.org.
 Riverside University Health System – Behavioral Health Parent Support & Training Program continues to provide services and support to families during the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for support and resources is great this time of year, especially for the holidays.
This year, in order to maintain the safety and health of families during the pandemic, the Thanksgiving Food Project is requesting holiday dinner gift certificates or gift cards to grocery stores for those families in need and for those who are receiving mental health services through one of our countywide mental health clinics/ or programs.
When donating a holiday dinner gift certificate and/or a grocery store gift card, the receipt must be attached ($10-$50 increments).
Donations will be accepted from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. November 9-19 to ensure that families will receive the food by Thanksgiving.
Checks made payable to RCDMH for this specific purpose are welcome. Contributions are tax deductible upon request.
Contact Parent Support if you would like to arrange for your donation to be picked up. To deliver your donation or obtain more information, please contact:
Parent Support & Training Program, 3125 Myers St, Entrance 3, Riverside, CA 92503, call 951.358.5862 or email Luz Negrón, LNegron@ruhealth.org, Rachel Douglas, RDouglas@ruhealth.org or Lorie Lacey-Payne, LLaceyPayne@ruhealth.org.
 As Halloween nears, many residents are wondering the best, safest way to celebrate the day.
When it comes to trick-or-treating, according to the California Department of Public Health, the more people from different households with whom a person interacts, the closer the physical interaction is, and the longer the interaction lasts, the higher the risk that a person with COVID-19 infection –symptomatic or asymptomatic -- may spread it to others.
The safest way to celebrate Halloween is to spend time with people in the same household or to celebrate virtually. Some specific alternatives that are low risk but still capture the holiday fun include:
- Creating a haunted house or candy scavenger hunt in your home
- Having a scary movie night and Halloween-themed activities (pumpkin carving, face painting) at home
- Participating in online parties/contests (e.g. costume or pumpkin carvings)
- Attending car-based outings where people do not leave their car including drive-in events or contests or movies; driving through an area with Halloween displays
- Eating a Halloween-themed meal with your household (alone or with up to 2 other households, not including your own, for a meal outside following all other gathering guidelines)
Some specific alternatives to Día de los Muertos that are low risk, but still capture the cultural celebration include:
- Altars: Consider placing and creating your altar in a front window or outside so others can view from a safe social distance.
- Virtual Altar: Create a virtual space to honor lost loved ones. Share with family and friends via email or social media.
For more ideas to safely celebrate Halloween and Día de los Muertos, click here.
 Both COVID-19 and flu can have varying degrees of signs and symptoms, ranging from no symptoms (asymptomatic) to severe symptoms. Common symptoms that COVID-19 and flu share include:
- Fever or feeling feverish/chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue (tiredness)
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle pain or body aches
- Headache
- Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults
While flu viruses can cause mild to severe illness, including common signs and symptoms listed above, COVID-19 seems to cause more serious illnesses in some people. Other signs and symptoms of COVID-19, different from flu, may include change in or loss of taste or smell.
Health officials recommend contacting your healthcare provider with questions about your symptoms and recommended course of action. For more information, visit https://www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/flu-vs-covid19.htm
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