LOOKOUT PM: Delta variant is here; worrying vax trend or system glitch in SLV?

By Lookout Santa Cruz Staff

Source: Lookout Santa Cruz

Hello, everyone — Deputy Managing Editor Mark Conley is off this week for a well-deserved vacation. But fear not, the Lookout staff has you covered on the PM front until he returns. And there’s still plenty to tell you about on COVID as we head toward July.

To the headlines for Tuesday and beyond ...

First Delta case confirmed in Santa Cruz, with more ‘very likely’

A transmission electron micrograph of SARS-CoV-2 virus particles that were isolated from a patient.

COUNTY HEALTH OFFICIALS URGE VACCINATIONS: With one confirmed and more undetected cases of the contagious COVID-19 Delta variant “very likely” in Santa Cruz County, public health officials renewed their call for residents to get fully vaccinated to protect against serious illness. More from our Mallory Pickett here.

Vax rates lagging in San Lorenzo Valley, or data glitch?

Syringes at the Marin County Vaccination Point of Dispensary

GETTING AHEAD OF TROUBLING TREND: County data shows lower COVID-19 vaccination rates in Ben Lomond and Boulder Creek, but a data issue could be at least partly to blame. Either way, with the Delta variant raising the threat level, health officials are looking to rev up outreach in the San Lorenzo Valley. More from Mallory here.

State lawmakers secure $14.5 million for homelessness initiatives in Santa Cruz city, county

Someone walks through the homeless encampment at San Lorenzo Park in Santa Cruz on Dec. 18, 2020.

WHAT’S COMING FROM STATE COFFERS: State Senator John Laird and Assemblymember Mark Stone helped secure $14.5 million in funding from the $262.5 billion state budget to be divided between the city and county of Santa Cruz to help improve and expand services for unsheltered residents. More from our Neil Strebig here.

Steven Carrillo headed to trial after 2020 shootout left Santa Cruz County deputy dead

Steven Carrillo is charged with murdering a Santa Cruz County deputy sheriff and a security officer

NEXT STEP: Ben Lomond resident Steven Carrillo, who is charged with murder in the June 2020 shooting that left Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller dead and multiple officers injured, waived his right to a preliminary trial Monday and instead will go straight to trial later this year. More from Neil here.

Biden to talk wildfires with Newsom, other governors

HAPPENING TOMORROW: As the West begins to burn, President Joe Biden will prepare for his first fire season by discussing federal preparedness Wednesday with his Cabinet and Western governors, including California’s Gavin Newsom. More from our partners at the Los Angeles Times here.

That’ll do it for Tuesday, friends. We’ll be back again tomorrow, one day closer to that Fourth of July weekend!

Lookout Santa Cruz Staff