FAQs and resources available in the county
How to help, how to get help
The outbreak of COVIDhas 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: 3:30 p.m.
Thursday
By the numbers (through Thursday)
Butte County: 5,765 confirmed cases (increase of 97 from Wednesday) with 4,886 recoveries, 38 hospitalized, 75 deaths (increase of one from Wednesday). 108,704 total tests.
Glenn County: 1,254 confirmed cases (increase of 20 from Wednesday) with 1,138 recoveries, eight hospitalized, 12 deaths. 8,440 total tests.
Tehama County: 2,627 confirmed cases (increase of 70 from Wednesday) with 1,821 recoveries, 13 hospitalized, 31 deaths. 20,622 total tests.
Chico Unified School District positive cases (Through Thursday, Dec. 17)
Chico High: 23 total (18 students, three staff members, two online students).
Pleasant Valley High: 24 total (21 students, three staff members).
Fair View High: Two total (two students).
Oakdale: One total (One online student).
Oak Bridge Academy (K12): One total (one online student).
Bidwell Junior High: Nine total (three students, five staff members, one online student).
Chico Junior High: Six total (four students, one staff member, one online student).
Marsh Junior High: 13 total (nine students, three staff members, one online student).
Chapman Elementary: Two total (two staff members).
Citrus Elementary: One total (one student).
Emma Wilson Elementary: Seven total (two students, five staff members).
Hooker Oak Elementary: Two total (one staff member, one online student).
Marigold/ Loma Vista: Four total (two students, two staff members).
McManus Elementary: One total (one staff member).
Neal Dow Elementary: Two total (one student, one staff member).
Parkview Elementary: Three total (two staff members, one online student).
Rosedale Elementary: Seven total (five students, one staff member, one online student).
Shasta Elementary: One total (one student).
Sierra View Elementary: Three total (one student, one staff member, one online student).
What’s open and what’s closed?
Gov. Gavin Newsom issued tighter restrictions on Monday, Nov. 16 for 28 counties, including Butte and Glenn counties, moving them to the most restrictive “widespread” purple Tier 1 under the state’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy. In Tier 1, a number of businesses and sectors are required to close indoor operations entirely, including restaurants, places of worship and gyms and fitness centers.
Newsom has also announced a statewide curfew for non- essential personnel in all counties in the Purple Tier from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. effective Saturday, Nov. 21 at 10 p.m.
For a complete list to see what is open in which county visit https://covid19. ca.gov/safer- economy.
Newsom issued an order June 18 requiring all Californians to wear face coverings or masks in most public settings, including while shopping and seeking medical care.
More information, including guidance for each sector, can be found at http:// www. buttecounty. net/ publichealth/ buttereopens.
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 900 Mangrove Avenue in Chico. 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 900 Mangrove Ave. in Chico, 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.
In addition to the Chico location, Glenn County opened an OptumServe site at Orland Memorial Hall, located at 320 Third St., on July 21.
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 their EnloeAnywhere 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 552-3050.
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 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.