County Showing Progress Following Post-Labor Day Spike in Cases
Following a three-week period during which the County experienced significant increases in new COVID-19 cases and positivity rates — which public health data indicate were largely due to public gatherings over the Labor Day weekend — we’ve recently seen welcomed improvements in two key metrics: new cases and testing.
“Our case rate has declined from 9.6 to 9.1 new cases out of every 100,000 County residents,” said Corwin Porter, County health director. “While we still have a way to go to get to the state’s Red Tier, this is a notable improvement from prior weeks and — we hope — signals a favorable new trend. Moreover, we’ve seen a solid jump in our testing rate — from about 178 tests per 100,000 residents to just under 190.”
Porter reminded readers that the County needs to test an average of 216 people per 100,000 residents per day to meet the state’s requirements for reopening additional businesses and schools. He encouraged everyone to get tested at their earliest convenience.
“Getting tested is one of the few specific steps — beyond following basic guidelines such as wearing a mask, social distancing and avoiding gatherings — that residents can take to help us move into the state’s Red Tier,” he said. “And getting to the Red Tier will allow us to reopen more schools, churches and businesses.
Getting tested is free and is available to anyone who either lives or works in San Bernardino County.
Among the County’s multiple testing sites are two that are providing tests on Saturdays through November 21: the Department of Behavioral Health Auditorium in Rialto and Victor Valley College in Victorville. In addition, Loveland Church in Fontana is doing tests this Saturday (only) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
While scheduling an appointment is encouraged, most sites also offer walk-ups. To see all testing sites, review the FAQs and to make an appointment, visit our testing webpage here.
Ballots Are In the Mail! Here’s Everything You Need to Know
This week the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters has delivered ballots to the post office to be mailed to all registered voters in the County. Look for it in your mailbox!
One of the best things about this year’s 2020 Presidential General Election is choice – not only who to vote for, but how and where to vote.
“Voters in our County have long embraced voting by mail in past elections, but for this Presidential Election, there are other options,” said Registrar of Voters Bob Page. “And best of all, these options are all available now so you can avoid long lines at a polling place on Election Day, November 3.”
Whether you prefer mail, drop-off or in-person, here are the details about early voting. All of this and more can be found on the Registrar of Voters website.
- Mail ballots – On October 5, ballots began to be mailed to San Bernardino County registered voters. Once received, you can cast your voted mail ballot with a pre-paid envelope in the mail, at an early vote site, at ballot drop-box location, or at any polling place.
- Early vote sites - An early vote site is a location where a voter may pick up or cast a mail ballot. The Registrar of Voters office, located at 777 East Rialto Avenue in San Bernardino, will operate as an early vote site beginning October 5. An additional five sites will be open from October 26 to 30.
- Ballot drop box locations - Beginning October 6, voters can choose from 70 secure ballot drop box locations throughout the county to cast their vote. Ballot drop-boxes are bolted to the ground and protected.
And in case you’re dedicated to the tradition of voting in person, you can still choose to vote early at your assigned polling place. The County’s 210 polling locations will be open this year from Saturday, October 31 through Tuesday, November 3 and details can be found on our website or on the back of your Voter Information Guide.
As you prepare to vote, remember, it’s “Your Ballot. Vote Safe. Vote Early.”
 Flu Vaccinations: “This Year It’s More Important Than Ever”
The Public Health Department is offering flu vaccinations to all residents at no cost at convenient clinics all around the County, with more locations (including mobile clinics) to come.
“This year it’s more important than ever for residents to get a flu vaccination,” said County Public Health Director Corwin Porter. “This year’s flu season is overlapping with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, so we’re doing everything we can to avoid what we’re calling a ‘twindemic.’”
Porter said getting a flu shot will not only reduce your risk of illness, hospitalization, and even death, but it will also help free-up capacity for those who require medical attention for COVID-19 or other ailments.
“People who get vaccinated for the flu are much less likely to require medical care, which will save medical resources and reduce the burden on an already-strained healthcare system,” he said.
Following is a list of flu clinics providing free vaccinations throughout October. Many of the sites also offer COVID-19 tests, which the County is also encouraging residents to get. Additional information on the flu and the flu vaccination, along with a more extensive list of vaccination clinics, can be found by clicking here.
Sites offering flu vaccinations and COVID-19 tests
Needles Recreation Center
1111 Bailey Ave., Needles
Oct. 6 from 9 a.m. – Noon
Rancho Sports Center
8303 Rochester Ave., Rancho Cucamonga
Oct. 9 from 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Victor Valley College
71 Mojave Fish Hatchery Rd., Victorville
Oct. 15 from 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
National Orange Show (NOS) (The Dome)
689 S. E St., San Bernardino
Oct. 21 from 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Jessie Turner Health and Fitness Community Center
15556 Summit Ave., Fontana
Oct. 23 from 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Copper Mountain College (Bell Center)
6162 Rotary Way, Joshua Tree
Oct. 30 from 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Sites offering flu vaccinations only
Ontario Conference Center (North)
1947 E. Convention Center, Ontario
Oct. 10 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Ecclesia Christian Fellowship
1314 E. Date St., San Bernardino
Oct. 14 from 1 – 5 p.m.
Lucerne Valley Senior Center
10431 Allen Way, Lucerne Valley
Oct. 16 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Chino Neighborhood Activities Center (NAC)
5201 D St., Chino
Oct. 17 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Big Bear City Hall
39707 Big Bear Blvd., Big Bear Lake
Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Victorville Activities Center
15075 Hesperia Rd., Victorville
Oct. 24 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Lytle Creek Community Center
14082 Center Rd., Lytle Creek
Oct. 26 from 2 – 6 p.m.
Upcoming Webinars Address Hiring and Sustainable Economies
San Bernardino County in conjunction with other partners both regionally and throughout the state are pleased to bring business owners and interested residents ongoing webinars on a variety of important topics. We aim to do everything we can to help businesses succeed during this difficult time.
Hire right the first time
Harvard University wrote a book titled Hiring and Keeping the Best People, which talks about the cost of poor hiring practices. The Business Essentials book stated that bad hiring brings down performance and can be painfully costly in the long run. Painfully costly is defined as 24 times the base compensation of the poorly hired person. Can you afford it? CEA’s hiring system will help businesses and HR professionals avoid costly hiring mistakes.
Thursday, October 15, 10 a.m. to Noon
Register: https://hiring2020.eventbrite.com
2020-2021 “Virtual Business Matchmaking & Education” series
The Center for Global Management (CGM) at California State University, San Bernardino is holding its 2020-2021 Virtual Business Matchmaking & Education Series. Now in its seventh year, the no-cost virtual program includes monthly 1.5 hour Global Access Program (GAP) sessions focused on specific industry sectors and how to do business in Singapore, South Korea and the Philippines. Participants interested in expanding or improving their business can connect with key resources, industry networks and gain valuable preliminary research for their business venture at no cost. There are also opportunities to receive personal consultation from experts during this challenging time. Interested parties are invited to register for one or more.
Thursday, October 8, 2020, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. – Focus on fashion/beauty products/retail services in the Philippines
Thursday, November 19, 2020, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. – Agriculture/food/beverage products & services/business in South Korea, Singapore and the Philippines
Future sessions on February 12, 2021, March 12, 2021 and April 9, 2021
Register for all sessions: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfAYe23IxuTi6vQ7AoHtGWzDMmw9aKPd-_tRoyhJRu0aZA-Lw/viewform
Sustainable economies
San Bernardino County is a supporting partner for a series of no-cost webinars on sustainable economies. Interested parties are invited to join as we create a re-imagined future and the community map needed to get there. These interactive webinars will begin with a panel or a “Ted-style” talk followed by breakouts. Dr. Angelo Farooq, chairman of the California Workforce & Development Board, is hosting the sessions.
Thursday, October 15, 1 p.m.
Thursday, October 29, 1 p.m.
Register Now: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sustainable-economies-webinar-fall-season-tickets-119559779519
Latest Stats
57,203 Confirmed Cases (up 0.7% from the previous day)
974 Deaths (up 0.7% from the previous day)
665,992 Tests (up 0.9% from the previous day)
For more statistics from the COVID-19 Surveillance Dashboard, click the desktop or mobile
tab on the County’s sbcovid19.com website.
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