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, April 27, 2021, our adjusted case rate per 100,000 residents is 3.9, our positivity rate is 2.1 percent, and the positivity rate in our most disadvantaged communities is 2.1.

Riverside County COVID-19 Update

As of Wednesday, April 28, 2021, there have been 298,262 cases of COVID-19 in Riverside County. There have been 4,564 deaths and 291,854 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 Johnson and Johnson (J&J) vaccine will now be available at Riverside County run clinics after local health officials on Monday lifted the pause on the drug.

The move follows recommendations by state and federal officials who had temporarily stopped use of the J&J vaccine after rare severe reactions were reported.

The vaccine will be available starting Thursday at the clinic at Alessandro High School in Hemet. Its use will expand to other fixed locations and mobile vaccine teams next week.

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 register for a vaccination clinic that offers the Pfizer vaccine. At this time, the Moderna and Johnson and Johnson vaccines have only been approved for individuals age 18 years and older.

All county vaccine clinics are now walk-in sites. If you would prefer 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.

Rental Assistance Pop-Up Event Next Wednesday in Hemet

• Inland SoCal United Way will be hosting a pop-up rental assistance event on Wednesday, May 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hemet Workforce Development Center (749 N. State Street, Hemet).
• Program representatives will be available to help you register for rental assistance.
• The rental assistance program is available to renters who have lost income due to the COVID-19 pandemic and fall under a certain household income.
• The program will cover up to 12 months of unpaid back rent and up to three months of future rent.
• Visit the pop-up rental assistance booth for help with the application. If you cannot make it to this event, you can also apply at UnitedLift.org.

Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Application Reopens April 28

• The State is still offering grants up to $25,000 to eligible small businesses and nonprofits impacted by COVID-19.
• The sixth round of the State’s COVID-19 Relief Grant Program applications opens Wednesday, April 28 and closes Tuesday, May 7.
• Applicants not selected to receive a grant in Rounds 1, 2, 3 and 5 do not need to reapply and will be automatically moved into Round 6.
  • Round 4 was a special round that offered grants to nonprofit cultural institutions exclusively. If you are part of a nonprofit cultural institution that submitted an application for Round 4 and you did not receive a grant, you must reapply to be considered for Round 6. If you are part of a nonprofit cultural institution that submitted an application in Rounds 1, 2, 3 or 5, you do not need to reapply.
• New applicants can apply at the following link: www.CAReliefGrant.com.

SBA Restaurant Revitalization Fund Application Portal Opens April 20

• The restaurant industry has suffered significant economic damage due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To help bring jobs back and revive the industry, the SBA will administer $28.6 billion to the hardest-hit small restaurants.
• Registration for the SBA application portal begins at 6 a.m. Friday, April 30. Applications will open at 9 a.m. Monday, May 3.
• Application requirements, eligibility information and a program guide are now available in English at sba.gov/restaurants or in Spanish at www.sba.gov/restaurantes.

State Program Offers Paid Work Experience to Youth with Disabilities

• Young people ages 16 to 21 who have an Individual Education Plan (IEP), a 504 Plan or a disability are encouraged to apply to the Summer Training and Employment Program (STEPS).
• STEPS will provide up to 40 hours of job exploration or work readiness training and up to 160 hours of paid work experience.
• Applicants must be enrolled in a recognized education program (including home school and alternative high school programs).
• For more information, contact Angelina Walker by calling 951-505-2830 or emailing Angelina.Walker@dor.ca.gov or contact Katherine E. Connolly by calling 951-235-7263 or emailing Katherine.Connolly@dor.ca.gov.

CAP Need Assessment Survey

• The Community Action Partnership of Riverside County is inviting you to participate in their 2021 Need Assessment Survey.
• The purpose of this survey is to help the organization understand how to serve Riverside County residents best through its programs and services.
• Use the links below to take the survey and you’ll be entered for a chance to win a $50 Visa Gift Card! The gift cards were provided by CAPStars Foundation for Economic Stability. No county funds were used to purchase the gift cards. CAP employees are not eligible to receive a gift card. 
  • English Survey: https://bit.ly/3tEvUod
  • Spanish Survey: https://bit.ly/3elIl1Z