Under state and federal law, COVID-19 tests must be covered by insurance, and any provider that accepts coverage must also provide it for free to the uninsured. Results often take between three and five days. For Santa Cruzans who need it faster, there are local options, but the most convenient can cost up to $225.
Pandemic Life
Posted inHealth & Wellness
Delta, Omicron could overwhelm hospitals soon
Conditions could lead to “a perfect storm for overwhelming our hospital system that is already strained,” a health official says.
Posted inFood & Drink
Local eateries vs. the supply-chain blues: What we learned about pricing switch-ups, menu casualties, sourcing
The number of challenges facing Santa Cruz restaurants in the pandemic era is astronomical. In fact, we’re plain lucky so many owners and chefs love what they do enough to endure. We talked to four different proprietors around the area to learn about their struggles.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
Did California get its money’s worth from $1.7 billion COVID test contract?
The Valencia lab, a public-private venture between the state and PerkinElmer, processed only 1 to 8% of all Californians’ COVID tests in the first 10 months of the contract. And the lab was riddled with dozens of problems, according to an inspection report.
Posted inCoast Life
Unsung Santa Cruz: Cafeteria assistants Pablita and Maria bring a feeling of familia to Amesti Elementary
At Amesti Elementary School in Watsonville, the calming and energetic presence of Pablita Lazo and Maria Rodriguez has served everyone well, especially during the pandemic.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Fewer people moving to California, more leaving during the pandemic, study shows
New entrances to the state have dropped in every California county since the end of March 2020, according to the nonpartisan California Policy Lab.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
California revives mask mandate as hospitals fear hard winter wave of COVID-19 cases
California imposed a new mask mandate, to take effect Wednesday, amid growing concerns that a winter surge in COVID-19 cases could once again strain hospitals.
Posted inPandemic Life
Combating the youth mental health crisis: What signs should parents be watching out for?
Young people are experiencing an alarming increase in mental health challenges, the U.S. surgeon general has said. Here’s what you should know.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Time running out for Santa Cruz County residents to apply for help paying for broadband
There’s a Dec. 31 deadline to apply for a federal program that gives eligible households $50 per month toward high-speed internet access, one that’s complemented by a local effort to mitigate inequality and deliver reliable service to underserved areas.
Posted inCOVID Today
As COVID-19 case rates rise, California orders statewide mask requirement starting Wednesday
California is ordering a statewide mask mandate for indoor public spaces to go into effect on Wednesday. The move comes as coronavirus case rates have risen by 50% in the last 2 1/2 weeks.
