Rail Bridge Fix Scheduled Next Week

COMMUNITY NEWS

Rail Bridge Fix Scheduled Next Week

Caltrans reports Highway 1 will be closed during the overnight hours from Rio Del Mar Boulevard to State Park Drive next week to allow for repairs to the railroad bridge at the South Aptos undercrossing.

The railing was damaged by storms in 2017.

Northbound Hwy. 1 will be closed from Rio Del Mar

Boulevard to State Park Drive on Tuesday, Jan. 18 and

Wednesday, Jan. 19 from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.

Southbound Hwy. 1 will be closed from State Park Drive to Rio Del Mar Boulevard on Thursday, Jan. 20 from 11 p.m. to 5 a. m.

The work will be performed by Graniterock Construction, under permit from Caltrans.

Travelers will have to detour through Aptos Village from the Highway 1 northbound off-ramps at Rio Del Mar and the southbound off-ramps at State Park Drive. Delays should be minimal. Message boards will assist everyone traveling through this area.

Caltrans reminds motorists to move over and slow down when driving through highway work zones. n

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For traffic updates on other state highways in Santa Cruz County, call Caltrans District 5 Public Affairs at 805549-3318 or visit the District 5 website at: https://dot.ca.gov/ caltrans-near-me/district-5

“COVID Update” from page 7

Superintendent Rodriguez said, “PVUSD staff worked tirelessly to prepare for this important day as the education and public health sectors aligned once again during this pandemic in support of our community’s health and wellbeing.”

Safety measures will now include expanded days for the District Office Drive-Thru PCR testing, increased PPE access, continued access to booster shots for those who are eligible, and updates to masking guidance.

Over the past six days, approximately 3,000 members of the school community used the PVUSD District Office PCR Drive-Thru testing service to check their COVID-19 status., according to Pajaro Valley district officials.

Dr. Rodriguez said, “This volume of PCR testing speaks to our continued commitment to serve our community and our community’s deep interest in keeping themselves and each other healthy and safe.”

PVUSD will not only maintain access to site-level PCR testing for students and staff but will expand the Drive Thru testing to a daily service, Monday - Friday 9-5pm and Saturday 9-3pm at the District Office for the upcoming weeks.

As of Jan. 10, all PVUSD staff will have access to N95/KN95 masks at their school sites and departments.

Eligible PVUSD educational community members may continue to register for, make appointments and receive booster shots at the District Office.

PVUSD received confirmation that the state will soon deploy the KF94 masks for students ,which will be distributed once available in our county.

Until the district receive this protective equipment for students, Rodriguez said, “We will be encouraging all students (and families) to use at minimum cloth masks with three or more layers. For increased effectiveness surgical masks, double masking, fitted surgical masks, KN95 and KF94 have been determined to be more effective.”

There are also important CDPH updates to isolation guidance for those who test positive at this time. PVUSD asks the educational community to protect themselves and each other by following CDPH guidance with any student or staff member who tests positive quarantining at home for five days.

Additional information about testing, isolation guidance and masking is available in this letter from all Santa Cruz County Superintendents.

PVUSD is taking these proactive measures citing research showing in-person learning is best for students.

Boosters for Kids 12-15

On Jan. 6, California Department of Public Health announced that children ages 12-15 are now eligible to receive a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 booster at least 5 months after completing their two-dose primary vaccination series. In addition, a third dose is now available for certain immunocompromised children ages 5-11.

“With the highly transmissible omicron variant quickly taking over as the dominant strain, it is important to protect our youngest community members by getting a booster,” said Dr. Cal Gordon, Santa Cruz County deputy health officer.

Vaccinations are the number one tool for preventing hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19, according to health officials.

Booster shot appointments can be scheduled through https://myturn. ca.gov/ and are by checking with your local doctor and pharmacies. For a list of local COVID-19 vaccine providers, visit www. santacruzhealth.org/coronavirusvaccine.

Those needing assistance in scheduling an appointment can call the Community Bridges Helpline at 831-219-8607 or 831-4403556 (English, Spanish, Mixteco and Triqui).

Those with immune-compromised children should talk with their healthcare provider.

For local information on COVID-19, including on where to tested, go to www. santacrushealth.org/coronavirus or call (831) 454-4242 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. n •••

Total COVID cases: 25,651

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COVID Deaths: 232

As of Jan. 10

Age

85 and older: 98 • 75-84: 52 • 65-74: 43 60-64: 14 • 55-59: 3 • 45-54: 10 35-44: 7 • 25-34: 5

Underlying Conditions

Yes: 184 • No: 47 • Unknown: 1

Race

White 130 • Latinx 83 • Asian 16

Black 1 • Amer Indian 1 • Unknown 1 Gender Men: 119 • Women: 113 Location At facility for aged: 108 Not at a facility: 124