Biweekly Third District Update

Tier Update

Riverside County is currently in the State’s red tier. To advance to the orange tier, we need to have a case rate of fewer than four per 100,000, a positivity rate of less than five percent, and a positivity rate of less than 5.3 percent in our most disadvantaged communities.

As of Tuesday, March 30, 2021, our adjusted case rate per 100,000 residents is 4.1, our positivity rate is 2.3 percent, and the positivity rate in our most disadvantaged communities is 2.4. Therefore, we are on track to advance to the State’s orange tier soon, likely sometime next week.

 When we move to the orange tier, the following industries can reopen:

• Bars that don’t serve food: can reopen outdoors;
• Wineries, breweries and distilleries that don't serve food: can reopen indoors at 25 percent capacity; and
• Bowling alleys, family entertainment centers and escape rooms: can reopen indoors at 25 percent capacity.

In addition, the following industries will have their capacities increased:

• Retails stores: indoor capacity no longer limited;
• Restaurants: indoor capacity increased to 50 percent;
• Aquariums, museums and zoos: indoor capacity increased to 50 percent;
• Places of worship: indoor capacity increased to 50 percent;
• Libraries: indoor capacity increased to 50 percent;
• Movie theaters: indoor capacity increased to 50 percent;
• Outdoor seated and live events: capacity increased to 33 percent;
• Gyms, yoga studios and other fitness centers: indoor capacity increased to 25 percent; and
• Outdoor amusement parks: indoor capacity increased 25 percent capacity.

To see specific industry guidelines, please visit https://covid19.ca.gov/industry-guidance/.

Riverside County COVID-19 Update

As of Wednesday, March 31, 2021, there have been 294,461 cases of COVID-19 in Riverside County. There have been 4,315 deaths and 287,535 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.

The County of Riverside is still conducting COVID-19 tests! If you would like to make an appointment to receive a COVID-19 test, visit https://gettested.ruhealth.org/home.

COVID-19 Vaccine Information

The County of Riverside is vaccinating the following groups: healthcare workers and janitors; residents or employees in high-risk congregate settings; individuals ages 65 and over; workers in education, childcare, food and agriculture, emergency services and public transit; and individuals with underlying health conditions. To see a full list of eligible health conditions, use the following link: https://bit.ly/3bW7X4j. On April 1, individuals age 50 and over will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine; on April 15, everyone ages 16 and over will be eligible.

To make an appointment, visit www.ruhealth.org/covid-19-vaccine. Residents 65 and older who need assistance making an appointment can call 951-867-3895. Press one for English or two for Spanish, then press one for vaccine assistance.

If you received your first vaccine dose at a county vaccine clinic, then a local health official will reach out to schedule your second dose. You can visit www.rivcoph.org/COVID-19-2nd-Dose-Information to see which clinic locations and dates have received invitations for second doses. If your invitation is scheduled for a date that does not work for you, you may also schedule your second dose appointment at www.ruhealth.org/covid-19-vaccine.

Free Suicide Prevention Webinar for Parents

• There will be a free Zoom webinar and Facebook Live Event that provides parents with important suicide prevention resources and information.
• The webinar will cover warning signs for suicide, how to have a conversation with your child about your concerns, actions to take if your child is having suicidal thoughts, and tips and resources to support emotional and mental health during the pandemic.
• The free webinar, entitled “Suicide Prevention 101 for Parents: Recognizing Signs and What To Do,” takes place 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. April 7, 2021.
• It is provided in partnership by the California Department of Education, the Directing Change Program, Teen Line and CalMHSA.
• To register for the webinar, visit the following link: https://bit.ly/3ftcRck. You may also livestream the event using this link: https://www.facebook.com/CAEducation/.

County Hosting Virtual Job Fair April 20

• Employers and job seekers, now is the time to register for the County of Riverside’s first countywide virtual job fair.
• During this event, job seekers will be able to enter specific rooms to search for jobs designated by region. Job seekers may choose to keep their search specific to a region or explore jobs openings in all regions of Riverside County!
• The virtual job fair platform will allow job seekers to upload their resumes in advance and potentially interact with employers using chat and video technology.
• The event will take place 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday, April 20.
• Job seekers, register for the event using the following link: https://bit.ly/3m5OnqU.
• Employers, register for the event using the following link: https://bit.ly/3wcOeXp.
• For more information, call 951-955-3046, email employerservices@rivco.org or visit the following link: https://bit.ly/3u2SVkw.

County Hosting Free Virtual Composting and Vermicomposting Class Saturday

• On Saturday, April 3, the Riverside County Department of Waste Resources will host a free virtual backyard composting and vermicomposting class that can be accessed on any computer, tablet or smartphone.
• Learn how to recycle yard trimmings and fruit and vegetable waste into a dark, crumbly, sweet-smelling soil conditioner called compost.
• If you don’t have yard trimmings, or lack suitable space to compost, vermicomposting is a fantastic alternative that can be done in an empty plastic bin, bucket or kitty litter container.
• Vermicomposting puts worms to work, breaking down organic waste and turning them into a nutrient-rich byproduct called worm castings.
• The free virtual class covers both composting and vermicomposting. It will begin at 9 a.m. and end by 11 a.m. The class can be accessed via the sign-up link found at www.rcwaste.org/classes.
• If attendees would like to put the principles taught in the class into practice, compost bins are available for purchase at Waste Resources headquarters (14310 Frederick St, Moreno Valley). These bins are only available for purchase by Riverside County residents and are limited to three per household.
• For questions, call 951-486-3200 or email WasteCompRecyc@rcwaste.org.

REMINDER: Riverside County Offers $1,000 per Unit to Property Owners Who Help Families

• Property owners in Riverside County who rent their units to families participating in the CalWORKS Housing Support Program may qualify for a $1,000 incentive.
• The Housing Support Program helps families with children find stable housing while receiving workforce training and supportive services during the pandemic.
• Officials say they want to house at least 200 families before the program expires at the end of June.
• Property owners and/or CalWORKS customers interested in the incentives and supportive services should contact the CalWORKS Housing Support Program by calling 833-391-0506 or emailing hsp@rivco.org.

REMINDER: Rental Assistance Now Available Through United Lift

• Applications for United Lift rental assistance are now available to Riverside County residents.
• Eligibility is limited to renters in Riverside County with a current lease agreement who are earning 80 percent or below of the area’s median income and can document a loss of income due to COVID-19 economic impacts that leave them unable to make their rent.
• The program will continue until funds are depleted, or until December 31, 2021, whichever happens first. More information on eligibility guidelines and the application portal can be found at UnitedLift.org.