Resources To Help Santa Cruz County Residents: Coronavirus

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — With Santa Cruz County under a shelter-in-place order due to concerns about the new coronavirus, stores have closed, workers have been laid off, kids are home from school, grocery stores are in short supply and the public is left to grapple with unforeseen challenges.

A lot of people need help. If you're one of them, read on to see who might be able to lend a helping hand.

Editor's Note: This article was created after reading reader questions and suggestions. Thanks for your feedback! Feel free to leave more information about resources in the comments below.

General Information

Santa Cruz County has opened a call center to direct people with questions to the right places. The call center will be open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays at 831-454-4242.

The county asks that the public avoid calling the Public Health Division, which is overwhelmed with calls.

Updates and coronavirus information from county health officials can be found here.

Don't miss updates about precautions in Santa Cruz County as they are announced. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters here.

Food

Some grocery stores in Northern California have longer or senior-only hours. Learn more here.

Second Harvest Food Bank continues to serve Santa Cruz County. Call its food hotline at 831-662-0991 or email the food bank at info@thefoodbank.org. Healthy volunteers are needed. Get more information about the food bank here.

Students who participate in free and reduced lunch programs may still pick up meals. Find out where and when your district offers pickup here.

Restaurants may be closed to dine-in customers, but many are still open for delivery or take-out. See downtown Santa Cruz options here.

Kids

Not sure how to talk to your kids about coronavirus? Find tips here.

Business and Unemployment

The Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce has collected a list of numerous resources for businesses and employees here.

Their list includes links to apply for: U.S. Small Business Administration disaster assistance loans; file for unemployment insurance with the state; file for paid family leave with the state; file for partial claims with the state; and file for a disability insurance claim.

Health Care

Dignity Health, which operates Dominican Hospital, offers free virtual urgent care service to people who want to get checked out for symptoms characteristic of coronavirus. Visits normally cost $35, but the fee will be waived for such patients who enter code COVID19.

Downtown the Virtual Care Anywhere app or call 855-356-8053.

Anyone with a high fever or trouble breathing should call 911 or visit a nearby care provider, though Dignity Health said it asks people to call facilities before showing up with symptoms related to coronavirus.

Transportation

Lobbies at the METRO Pacific Station Transit Center and Watsonville Transit Center will be closed, but the Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District will continue serving riders with reduced capacity, on the Saturday and Sunday schedule. Fares will not be collected in order to maintain social distancing from drivers.

Read more about the changes here.

Entertainment

The Santa Cruz County Public Library offers resources to residents looking to unwind.

IT Support

Students or residents working from home can receive networking and technical help from a group of community volunteers known as Cruz One, the county said. Get help or sign up to volunteer here.

Know of a resource that should be on this list? Comment below!

Read more:

• California Coronavirus: Live Updates On Cases, Closures, Orders
• Coronavirus: Santa Cruz County Case Count Updates
• Santa Cruz County Officers Step Up Stay-At-Home Enforcement