WOODLAND, CA (MPG) - As part of ongoing County efforts to ensure that vulnerable workforces and communities are protected during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Yolo County has a variety of resources, including translations, temporary housing for agricultural workers who test positive for COVID-19 or have been exposed, and more.

Yolo County recently added Spanish translation to their COVID-19 ‘Report a Concern’ webpage. This webpage offers an easy way for any resident to anonymously express a concern in English or Spanish regarding COVID-19 safety pertaining to themselves or the public. Farmworkers, staff, residents and organizations have the opportunity to inform the County about unsafe work conditions and a lack of resources they may be experiencing. The webpage is available through this link. Yolo County has also translated into Spanish other COVID-19 pages or text including the COVID-19 dashboard page, the COVID-19 testing page, and COVID-19 press releases.

In addition, Yolo County is participating in a California program called ‘Housing for Harvest,’ which offers temporary hotel housing to agricultural workers who need to isolate due to COVID-19. This program helps positive or exposed workers protect their loved ones and coworkers by giving them a space to self-isolate. Farm and food processing workers play an essential role in maintaining the local and regional food supply. For additional information on this program and to see if you qualify, contact Yolo County’s Agriculture Program Coordinator Esmeralda Garza at: [email protected] or (530) 379-3465.

The County has also set aside $50,000 of CARES Act funding to help farm and food workers who have lost income as a result of being COVID-19 positive and who are unable to obtain State Disability or Worker’s Compensation from their employer. Workers can receive up to $500 a week for up to two weeks and can be paid retroactively as far back as July 1, 2020. For additional information on this program and to see if you qualify, contact Yolo County’s Agriculture Program Coordinator Esmeralda Garza at: [email protected] or (530) 379-3465.

Residents and workers are also encouraged to take advantage of the many, free COVID-19 testing sites that are happening throughout the County. The State of California’s OptumServe site currently at the Davis Senior Center, located at 646 A Street in Davis, is open to any California resident by appointment only Tuesdays – Saturdays from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. through October 3. To schedule an appointment, call: (888) 634-1123 or go online at: https://lhi.care/covidtesting.

Additional free COVID-19 testing is available for Yolo County residents at multiple sites through the end of September. Additional sites will become available in October once confirmed. At these County-run sites, participants must be residents of Yolo County and will need to bring a document displaying their name and address, such as a driver’s license, ID card, utility bill, or piece of mail. All ages are welcome and registration is recommended but not required at: https://www.avellinocoronatest.com/patient. Testing is the best way to ensure outbreaks are identified and to prevent further COVID-19 spread into families, communities and work environments. For more information in English and Spanish on COVID-19 testing sites in Yolo County, visit: https://covidtesting.yolocounty.org/.

The County is also offering free face coverings for local businesses and organizations, including schools, colleges, nonprofits, churches, restaurants and others, as part of the State of California’s efforts to provide and distribute COVID-19 resources statewide. Free face coverings can be requested for staff, volunteers or employees by completing an online survey:

• In English: https://forms.gle/PtfPgW9xMNdBuB9N7
• In Spanish: https://forms.gle/8Lad99MiiNmZusB5A

Face coverings are required by Yolo County and the State of California. Residents of every community are urged to continue to remain informed and comply with all Yolo County public health orders and guidance, especially regarding limiting social gatherings, using face coverings, and regular handwashing.

“It’s hard to imagine a more truly essential worker than those who harvest our food.  The COVID-19 crisis has cruelly impacted farm workers more adversely than the remainder of the population,” said Chair of the Yolo County Board of Supervisors Gary Sandy. “Responding to their needs has required pulling together an array of services designed to safeguard and to anticipate the emerging needs of this vulnerable population.”

For additional information about agricultural worker programs, contact Esmeralda Garza at [email protected] or 530-379-3465. Residents can also call the County’s free COVID-19 hotline at: (866) 965-6268 for assistance in English or Spanish. To see all COVID-19 testing options in Yolo County, visit: https://covidtesting.yolocounty.org/. Residents can also call Yolo 2-1-1 for resource information. For additional updates follow Yolo County on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/YoloCounty/ or Twitter at: https://twitter.com/YoloCountyCA.