Biweekly Third District Update

Tier Update

Riverside County is currently in the State’s orange tier. To advance to the yellow tier, we need to have a case rate of fewer than two cases per 100,000, a positivity rate of less than two percent, and a positivity rate of less than 2.3 percent in our most disadvantaged communities. Riverside County will need to remain in the orange tier for a minimum of three weeks and meet the yellow tier metrics for two of those weeks before advancing further.

As of Tuesday, May 11, 2021, our adjusted case rate per 100,000 residents is 2.7, our positivity rate is 1.6 percent, and the positivity rate in our most disadvantaged communities is 1.8.

Riverside County COVID-19 Update

As of Wednesday, May 12, 2021, there have been 299,455 cases of COVID-19 in Riverside County. There have been 4,593 deaths and 293,413 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

Currently, the County of Riverside is vaccinating everyone ages 16 and up. Teenagers who are 16 and 17 years old must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and go to a vaccination clinic that offers the Pfizer vaccine. At this time, the Moderna and Johnson and Johnson vaccines have only been approved for individuals ages 18 years and older. The FDA has authorized the Pfizer vaccine for children ages 12 to 15; however, the County of Riverside is waiting for guidance from the State of California before moving forward with vaccinating this age group.

All county vaccine clinics are now walk-in sites, but appointments are encouraged. To make an appointment, visit www.ruhealth.org/covid-19-vaccine. Seniors 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. Anyone else who would like to make an appointment by phone should all 2-1-1.

Vaccine appointments are also available at 13 Community Health Centers across Riverside County. To schedule an appointment at a Community Health Center, call 800-945-6171.

Two New COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics Planned for the Third District

• In an effort to bring COVID-19 vaccines to every community in Riverside County, Public Health continues to schedule mobile COVID-19 vaccine clinics throughout the Third District.
• The times, dates and locations of upcoming Third District vaccine clinics are listed below. Appointments are open to anyone 16 or over who lives, works or studies in Riverside County.
  • Hemet – The Pfizer vaccine will be distributed from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 18 at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church (780 S. State Street, Hemet, CA 92543). To register for an appointment, visit https://tinyurl.com/4zbw2wsy or call 2-1-1.
  • Temecula – The Pfizer vaccine will be distributed from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 19 at the Imani Temple of Temecula COGIC (34590 Calle Arnaz Road, Temecula, CA 92592). To register for an appointment, visit https://tinyurl.com/4ct8z45j or call 2-1-1.

Changes Coming to Riverside County’s Short-Term Rental Ordinance

• The County of Riverside is seeking the input of business owners and residents on upcoming revisions to the short-term rental ordinance.
• This ordinance will provide updated regulations for short-term rentals, vacation home rentals and properties listed on AirBnB, VRBO and other online vacation rental marketplaces.
• Do you operate a short-term rental in unincorporated Riverside County? Are you a resident who lives near short-term rental homes in unincorporated Riverside County? If so, the County wants to hear from you!
• Please see the proposed changes using the following link: https://bit.ly/3u5Ayfr.
• To provide input, please send an email to Principal Planner Steven Jones at sjones@rivco.org with the subject line “Ordinance 927.1.”
• The County of Riverside Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the short-term rental ordinance at a future commission meeting. The agenda and public hearing schedule will be located through the following link: https://bit.ly/332FrK8.

Virtual Workshop Can Help Veterans with Criminal Records

• The Veteran Project is joining forces with the UCLA Veterans Legal Clinic and LACBA Armed Forces Committee to clear outstanding tickets and warrants for veterans.
• This free workshop is open to any veteran in need of help with tickets for minor infractions — such as jaywalking or running a stop sign — and failure to appear charges and warrants stemming from tickets. However, they are unable to assist with parking tickets.
• The workshop can also provide information on the qualifications and applications necessary to file for the expungement of certain convictions.
• This workshop takes place 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 19.
• Registration is required! Please call 213-896-6537 or email inquiries-veterans@lacba.org to receive the intake form needed to reserve your seat.

Riverside County Announces Business Assistance NOW Program

• Riverside County’s Business Assistance NOW Program supports local businesses with occupancy permit assistance, financial resources and hiring and training, among other services.
• The business support team also works closely with the county’s Transportation and Land Management Agency to navigate the planning and building and safety departments, helping residents establish and grow their businesses in Riverside County.
• For more information and to request assistance, call 951-955-0493 or visit the following link: https://bit.ly/3eAGKqq.

Office on Aging Offers Resources Through Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

• Are you a grandparent taking responsibility for one or more grandchildren?
• If so, the Riverside County Office on Aging offers resources for you!
• The Grandparents Raising Grandchildren program provides support groups and assistance with the guardianship process.
• For more information on the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren program, call Office on Aging at their NEW, toll-free phone number: 1-877-932-4100.