Vaccination or frequent testing had been a requirement for workers in settings with a high-risk of viral transmission since last summer.

Three sites, at the county Fairgrounds in San Jose, in San Martin and Mountain View, will offer vaccinations by appointment only this week.

The county's seven-day average of new Covid cases has held below 550 for six consecutive days. 

Public Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody said state indoor masking requirements would still apply for unvaccinated individuals and in schools and other settings regardless of vaccination status.

Public health officials announce local indoor masking requirements will remain in place, despite the state's announcement lifting some mask rules Feb. 16.

To be fully up to date with COVID vaccine protection, people need to have a booster shot, said County Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody.

Approximately 80 school locations have been identified in Santa Clara County for on-site COVID vaccinations. The first locations opened today with vaccinations being provided by the county’s Mobile Vaccination Teams.

Santa Clara County has the nation’s highest vaccination rate among large counties, and one of the highest vaccination rates among all counties, according to CDC data.  As of June 20, 2021, 80% of residents aged 12 and older have received their first dose, and over 71% of residents aged 12 and older were fully vaccinated.

With more than 75% of eligible people at least partially vaccinated, health officials said it’s safe to go to the office. 

Bars in both counties will also be allowed to reopen indoors at 25% capacity or 100 people.

Two new variants detected in New York, three cases of the South Africa variant and one case first detected in Japan/Brazil have been found in the county.

In-person spectating for pro sports stopped a year ago, but physicians hope to create a national model for the events going forward.

Santa Clara County isn't the hotspot it was in the first months of the pandemic, but old challenges linger and new questions have emerged.

The order pre-empts the state’s stay-at-home order, which Gov. Gavin Newsom formally announced Thursday, as hospitalizations surge.

The new restrictions start Monday and come as the county hits record levels for single-day Covid-19 positive tests and hospitalizations.

Families and public officials are getting creative this holiday season to keep some of their traditions alive.