FAQs and resources for COVID-19

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 online.

Last update: Monday, March 30, at 3:45 p.m.

So there are confirmed cases in Butte County. Now what?

Public health officials have announced eight labconfirmed cases of COVIDin Butte County as of Monday at 3:45 p.m.

The test results do not alter existing public health recommendations to wash your hands and stay away from other people, officials said. “At this point in the outbreak, we need people to treat every public place as a place that one could be exposed,” said Andy Miller, the county health officer, last week.

The county is no longer providing details on the general location, age or condition of the individuals. It is also not providing details on where the individuals were acquiring the illness. Before it stopped providing the details, it had identified two of the cases as travel-related and three as acquired through community spread.

The county is also no longer providing the number of individuals waiting for tests. Miller has said those numbers did not tell the full story as there are likely more individuals who are waiting for test results through commercial labs and others who did not get tested because of the limits on testing. There is also a delay in testing results, which can take anywhere from 36 hours to seven days to come back.

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. For more questions: Butte County has a COVID-19 information help line at 530-552-3050, available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week.

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.

What if I’m sick?

Miller is asking anyone who becomes sick with mild symptoms in the coming weeks and months to isolate at home, away from others, until it has been at least seven days from the onset of symptoms AND 72 hours without a fever AND respiratory symptoms (cough/ sneezes) have improved. If you get more sick, call your medical provider.

Can I get tested?

There is testing available, but only for those who meet certain criteria, like having severe symptoms. Health care providers ask that you call in advance. If you meet the criteria, they may recommend you come in so they can collect a swab. The swab then gets sent to a public health lab out of the county or a commercial lab to analyze. It can take several days for the results to come back.

Enloe Medical Center, Oroville Hospital, Orchard Hospital and Feather River Health Center are screening patients with respiratory symptoms to limit exposure, but can only test patients who meet strict criteria because of limited testing available. Individuals with only mild symptoms are recommended to stay at home to not overwhelm the system.

Who should stay at home?

Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered everyone in the state to stay at home. The directive allows people to go out to get food, care for a relative or friend, get necessary health care, or go to an essential job. See what qualifies as an essential job at covid19.ca.gov. If they go out, people should stay at least six feet apart.

The city of Chico has established a hot-line at 8796330 or codeenforcement@ chicoca.gov for citizens to report violations of the order by businesses or other entities.

What’s open and what’s closed?

Gas

stations,

pharmacies, banks and laundromats remain open, as do food outlets like grocery stores, farmers markets, food banks, and convenience stores, though some may have limited hours. 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.

Restaurants and bars have closed, though some have moved to to- go orders and curbside delivery. The Chico Chamber of Commerce has a list on its website with the temporary status of its members and it is updated twice a day.

Movie theaters, gyms and fitness centers have closed. Hair and nail salons have closed.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles has closed all its field offices to the public starting March 27. Virtual services are scheduled to return April 1.

The Butte County Office of Education has recommended schools close through April 17. Glenn County schools have closed through April 10. Chico State and Butte College are moving online until the end of the semester. Dorms are closed.

Government buildings have either closed entirely or limited access to the public, though many of the services are continuing over the phone or online. Officials recommend calling in advance. More information at www.buttecounty.net. Butte County Superior Court will be reopening the week of March 30 with reduced services and limited access.

How do I get help?

For groceries and other essentials:

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 6452028.

Schools are providing meals to children. Visit their websites for more information at Chico Unified, Paradise Unified, Oroville Union High School.

The California Department of Education has a list of special offers by telecom and data companies. Visit cde.ca.gov for more. For unemployment:

The California Employment Development Department is taking claims. These include disability insurance claims if you are sick or quarantined, paid family leave claims if you are taking care of a family member or unemployment insurance claims if your hours have been reduced or, in some cases, if you have no choice but to stay home to take care of a child out of school.

The best way to apply for benefits is to sign up online at the state Employment Development website.

To speak to an Unemployment Insurance representative, according to the website, contact the UI Self- Service Phone Line at 1- 800- 300- 5616 from 8 a. m. to noon Monday through Friday. The Unemployment Insurance Self

Services Phone Line that provides touch-tone information choices is 1- 866333- 4606 but no access to a person.

Local help with benefits or jobs available through Alliance for Workforce Development’s website www. afwd.org or 961- 5125. The alliance’s website has a live chat feature that is active during regular hours.

The Chico Chamber of Commerce maintains a list of employment-related resources.

The United States Bartenders Guild National Charity Foundation is taking applications for emergency grants, even from non-members (donate).

The city of Chico is helping small businesses connect with emergency financial aid and planning at 530- 896-7299.

For employers:

Hotline for employers: 8 a.m to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 530616- 0563 or by email covid19employer@ncen.org. Questions answered about unemployment for staff, essential workers, etc., from two local organizations Alliance for Workforce Development, and Northern Rural Training and Employment Consortium.

The California Employment Development Department has a coronavirus section for employers and employees including frequently asked questions at www.edd.ca.gov.

For mental health needs: The CDC is recommending people with preexisting mental health conditions continue with their treatment and be aware of new or worsening symptoms. Additional information can be found at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) website at www. samhsa.gov.

The Northern Valley Talk Line ( NVTL) 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- 582- 5554. Northern Valley Talk Line works in partnership with Butte County Department of Behavioral Health as well as Tehama County Health Service Agency.

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 as well. Donate at www. nvcf.org.

The North Valley Food Bank is taking donations and volunteers. Visit www. nor thval ley foodbank.org.

The Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation, One Fair Wage Campaign, the California Restaurant Association Foundation and the United States Bartenders Guild are accepting donations.

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.