COVID-19

UNITED STATES — States have continued steadily lifting restrictions, despite warnings from top federal health officials like Dr. Anthony Fauci that new coronavirus cases in the United States have plateaued at a very high level after their drastic drop has stalled and that the...

SALINAS VALLEY — Monterey County launched two new testing sites for Covid-19 in Greenfield and Salinas last week, having announced their locations on May 2 in response to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s directive for California to open 80 more testing sites. The Greenfield community testing site,...

MONTEREY COUNTY — All Monterey County employees and the public are now required to wear a mask in county facilities regardless of their vaccination status, effective Monday. According to Communications Coordinator Maia Carroll, many county departments continue to offer online services and information for those...

SALINAS VALLEY — A photo of the father she lost to Covid-19 was close by as Maria Munoz cut into red felt fabric and participated in the Rose River Memorial project launched by Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System (SVMHS). “My dad’s battle with Covid lasted...

MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County Board of Supervisors has voted to suspend the masking requirement of its indoor face covering ordinance, effective immediately. “This means while wearing face coverings in indoor public settings remains strongly recommended, it is no longer required,” according to Maia Carroll,...

MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County Health Department’s Covid-19 Stipend Program has ended as of March 31, the decision of which came as vaccine rates increase and the number of new cases has decreased. The Stipend Program started in December 2020 with the aim of helping...

SACRAMENTO — For the first time in more than a century, California recorded a net loss in population last year, a demographic reversal caused by the deadly toll of the coronavirus and declining immigration and birthrates. The small but startling 0.46% drop — a decline...

MONTEREY COUNTY — Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, Mee Memorial Healthcare System, Natividad Medical Center, Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital and the Monterey County Health Department are urging all residents to act now to protect themselves and their families against respiratory viruses circulating this...

Today, we’re starting with some big news: There will be no green tier after all. In fact, very soon, we’re set to say goodbye to the purple, red, orange and yellow tiers that have for months dictated so much about our lives. California plans to...

MONTEREY COUNTY — Hospitals in Monterey County have implemented new restrictions on visitors to reduce the transmission of Covid-19 to staff and patients. Beginning Wednesday, Aug. 11, all visitors to area hospitals will be required to show either proof of full Covid-19 vaccination or proof...