FAQs and resources available in the county
How to help, how to get help
The outbreak of COVID-19 has rapidly changed everyday life in Butte County. It is a quick-moving situation in which it is important to stay informed. This is a list of basic information and resources. It will be updated.
Last update: 4:30 p.m. Friday
By the numbers (through Friday)
Butte County: 338 confirmed cases (increase of 19 from Thursday) with 197 recoveries, nine hospitalized, four deaths. 12,641 total tests.
Glenn County: 164 confirmed cases (increase of five from Thursday) with 118 recoveries, five hospitalized, no deaths. 1,448 total tests.
Tehama County: 104 confirmed cases (increase of six from Wednesday) with 86 recoveries, one death. 4,623 total tests.
What’s open and what’s closed?
Both the state and county have taken steps to loosen the stay-at-home order. They could tighten the order again if infections spike. Public health officials say socially distancing and covering your face remains key.
Gov. Gavin Newsom added Glenn County, along with 18 other California counties, to a watch list for worsening COVID-19 trends. On Wednesday, July 1, Glenn County was notified that bars, pubs, wineries and breweries must close, while restaurants can only operate with takeout, delivery or outdoor seating options.
Additionally, family entertainment centers, museums and zoos and card rooms must remain closed. The restrictions will remain in effect for three weeks.
Newsom issued an order Thursday, June 18 requiring all Californians to wear face coverings or masks in most public settings, including while shopping and seeking medical care.
Newsom said June 5 that California will allow schools, day camps, bars and wineries, gyms, campgrounds and RV Parks, casinos and card rooms, hotels, lodging, short-term rentals, film, TV and music production, museums, galleries, zoos, aquariums, and professional sports (no live audience) to begin reopening with modifications beginning Friday, June 12.
As of May 26, the state has allowed for the reopening of hair salons and barbershops. As of May 25, the state has allowed places of worship to open at 25% of building capacity or a maximum of 100 attendees.
Restaurants in Butte County were allowed to reopen dine-in services as of May 12, with mitigation measures.
The following were allowed to reopen in Butte County on May 9: general business and office including in-store retail; child care; personal services such as laundromats, dry cleaning, auto repair, car washes, pet grooming and landscape gardening; and manufacturing.
Local and state health officials recommend the following to remain closed: personal services such as nail salons, tattoo parlors, spas; nightclubs, concert venues, live audience sports, festivals, theme parks, and higher education.
More information, including guidance for each sector, can be found at http://www.buttecounty. net/publichealth/buttereopens.
The Chico Chamber of Commerce has a list on its website with the temporary status of more than a hundred restaurants, bars and catering services and it is updated twice a day.
See an online list at bit.ly/ ButteEarlyShops of which grocery stores in the Chico area have set aside hours for senior and at-risk shoppers.
What we know and what we don’t know about confirmed cases
The Butte County Public Health dashboard displays the results of viral tests that look for an active infection. That includes tests done by hospitals, medical practices and the testing center at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds. It does not include antibody tests.
Butte County Public Health’s website is www. buttecounty.net/publichealth. There are also regular video updates posted on the Department’s Facebook page. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website is www. cdc.org. The California Department of Public Health’s website is www.cdph.ca.gov.
More demographic and location data about the cases is in an online dashboard at tinyurl.com/ButteCOVIDDashboard.
How do I get tested?
To set up an appointment to get tested by OptumServe at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds, visit https:// lhi.care/covidtesting or call 1-888-634-1123. No payment is necessary; your insurance will be billed or, if you have no insurance, the cost is picked up by the state.
All are eligible for testing, with higher-risk populations given priority for appointments. Read more about eligibility online.
Coronavirus testing also available at Immediate Care in Chico, 376 Vallombrosa Ave., 891-1676; and also at all Ampla locations. The number in Chico is 3424395 and the number in Oroville is 534-7500.
For more questions:
Butte County has a COVID-19 information help line at 530-552-3050, available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The city of Chico has an information website at http://www.chico.ca.us/covid/.
Residents in Butte, Glenn, Shasta and Tehama counties can dial 2-1-1 anytime to get information on the crisis and get connected to resources as they become available. Residents in those counties, along with Lassen, Siskiyou and Trinity, can also receive information by texting CORONAVIRUS to 211-211.
Enloe Medical Center has launched a hotline for COVID-19 questions at 3329540 to provide information about staying safe and seeking medical attention. Choosing option 2 connects people with nurses or emergency physicians in a “virtual emergency department”.
How do I get help?
For groceries and other essentials:
See the North State Food Bank’s schedule of food giveaways at points throughout the region on its website at buttecaa.com.
Volunteers from the Democratic Socialists of America Chico and the North Valley Mutual Aid are taking requests to fetch and deliver groceries and other essentials for those who are staying at home. Call or text 645-2028.
Butte County Department of Employment and Social Services launched a Delivery Task Force for individuals who have been told by a medical professional to isolate or quarantine. The initiative can deliver basic necessities, such as groceries and prescriptions. Call 2-1-1 or 5523050.
The Boys and Girls Club of North Valley is providing evening curbside pickup of meals for children in Chico, Magalia and Hamilton City. More information is available on their Facebook page.
The Butte Humane Society is delivering food for pets from its Pet Food Pantry throughout Butte County. People can call 530.966.2902 to set up a delivery appointment. Donations are accepted at 2580 Fair Street in Chico.
For unemployment:
The California Employment Development Department is taking claims. The best way to apply for benefits is to sign up online at the state Employment Development website.
Local help with benefits or jobs available through Alliance for Workforce Development’s website www. afwd.org or 961-5125. The website has a live chat feature active during business hours.
The Chico Chamber of Commerce maintains a list of employment-related resources. The city of Chico is helping small businesses connect with emergency financial aid and planning at 896-7299. For mental health needs:
The Northern Valley Talk Line now provides non-crisis peer to peer telephone service to the community 7 days a week from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. The toll free number is 855-5825554. Northern Valley Talk Line works in partnership with Butte County Department of Behavioral Health as well as Tehama County Health Service Agency.
Alcoholics Anonymous Fellowship of Butte, Glenn and Southern Tehama Counties is holding meetings on Zoom temporarily. Visit http://aabutte-glenn. org/ or call 530-342-5756 for more information.
How do I help?
United Way of Northern California has established a fund to help local groups help people struggling. Donate at www.norcalunitedway.org or text CORONANORCAL to 91999.
The North Valley Community Foundation has established a fund to respond to COVID-19, and has already started distributing grants. Donate at www. nvcf.org. There are also funds set up at the foundation for small local businesses.
The North Valley Food Bank is taking donations and volunteers. Visit www. buttecaa.org or call 7122600, Option 3.
The pandemic is affecting blood supply. Consider donating if you are not sick. Call 893-5433 to check hours and set up an appointment at Chico’s Vitalant center at 555 Rio Lindo Ave.
Most health care providers are accepting medicalgrade mask donations, including N95 masks, and home-made masks. Enloe Medical Center has instructions at enloe.org/masks. Call 332-7160 Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to coordinate. The VA Northern California Health Care System is also accepting home-made masks and has information at https://bit.ly/2Rb5cCu. Coordinate the drop-off of masks at 916-366-5372. Items for the Orchard Hospital can be dropped off at the entrance at 240 Spruce St. in Gridley or coordinated with staff by calling 846-9064.