All articles tagged with #san mateo county
Bird flu detected in California elephant seals off Pescadero marks the state's first mammal cases, with officials saying human transmission risk remains low; SFist's Sunday Links also cover local stories including SF budget cuts to the Environment Department, the Tenderloin's Airbnb rise, an Ebony Alert for three teens, the Chinese New Year Parade, and a Berkeley High mumps alert.
An 8-foot fence with a hand-written 'trespassers will be shot' warning has appeared along the bluff to Thornton State Beach, effectively cutting off the main public path from Olympic Way and blocking emergency vehicle access. San Mateo County Supervisor David Canepa is urging state officials and the California Coastal Commission to force removal and restore access, while neighbors have launched a Change.org petition; the Coastal Commission could pursue penalties or restoration orders if it finds unlawful closure, but no enforcement action has been announced yet.
San Mateo County health officials confirmed a bat found in a park tested positive for rabies, urging anyone who had contact with the bat to seek medical advice immediately, as rabies is a deadly but preventable disease. No exposures have been confirmed, and the risk remains low, but precautions are advised to prevent infection.
For the first time in California history, San Mateo County removed Sheriff Christina Corpus after allegations of nepotism, misconduct, and conflicts of interest, following a judge's findings and a county ballot measure that empowered the board to remove her. Corpus has appealed her removal, which was driven by accusations of misconduct and resistance to reform efforts within the sheriff's office.
San Mateo County in California has reported the first U.S. case of the clade I mpox strain, according to the California Department of Public Health. Mpox, caused by the monkeypox virus, can lead to symptoms like rash, fever, and muscle aches. The CDC notes that mpox spreads through close contact, and advises vaccination and precautions to prevent transmission. Residents are encouraged to get vaccinated, avoid intimate contact if exposed, and follow hygiene practices to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.
A massive fire destroyed a nearly completed affordable housing complex in Redwood City, which was set to provide 179 units for low to moderate-income families and homeless individuals. The $155 million project, funded by various sources including the California Housing Accelerator Fund and the American Rescue Plan Act, was a significant loss for the community. The building, previously a recycling facility, was a total loss after the blaze.
A 50-year-old Florida man, Luiz Gustavo Aires, was arrested after allegedly stealing a small plane from Palo Alto Airport and making an emergency landing on a beach near Half Moon Bay. The plane was found intact and unoccupied, and Aires was later taken into custody. He was booked on suspicion of theft of an airplane. This incident follows a deadly plane crash in the same area last month, with three bodies recovered near the crash site.
San Mateo County in California has become the first in the U.S. to declare loneliness a public health crisis, acknowledging its serious health consequences and impact on residents. The county's Board of Supervisors passed a resolution to explore measures promoting social connection, inspired by efforts in the U.K. and Japan. With a high rate of loneliness among its residents, particularly older adults, the county is seeking ways to address the issue, including potential partnerships with social media platforms and a call for a state-appointed "minister of loneliness." While the exact solutions remain uncertain, the move reflects a growing recognition of the importance of socialization for overall health.
The body of 27-year-old Emma Willmer-Shiles, identified as the woman found near the site of a small plane crash off the Half Moon Bay coast, has been taken to the San Mateo County Coroner's Office. The plane, which took off from the East Bay, was found upside down in the water near Ross Cove, and the search for survivors was suspended after the Coast Guard's efforts. The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation, while the body of the second person on the plane has not been located.
A single-engine Cozy Mark IV plane crashed in the ocean near Half Moon Bay, California, with two people on board. A woman's body was found near the crash site, and the search for survivors was suspended by the Coast Guard. The plane, which took off from the East Bay, was found upside down in the water near Ross Cove. The investigation, involving multiple agencies including the FAA and NTSB, is ongoing to determine the cause of the crash.
The search for survivors of a small plane crash off the coast of Half Moon Bay, California, was called off after the wreckage of a single-engine Cozy Mark IV aircraft was found upside down near Ross Cove. Witnesses reported the plane flying erratically before it crashed into the ocean, prompting a search operation by the U.S. Coast Guard and the sheriff’s office. The fate of the two occupants aboard the aircraft remains unknown, and the FAA and NTSB will conduct an investigation into the incident.
Cases of valley fever, a respiratory infection caused by a fungus found in soils, are increasing in San Mateo County, potentially due to construction and climate change, according to health officials. The fluctuation between dry conditions during a drought and rainy winters creates favorable conditions for the fungus to thrive.
Wastewater testing in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties indicates a rise in COVID-19 cases along the Peninsula. The data shows an increase in virus concentrations, particularly the XBB strains, which are descendants of the highly transmissible omicron variant. While hospitalizations have slightly increased, they are nowhere near the levels seen last year. The public is urged to stay updated on vaccinations, get the new COVID vaccine formulation when available, and continue indoor masking, especially in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces.
Wastewater testing in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties indicates a rise in COVID-19 cases along the Peninsula. The data shows an increase in virus concentrations, particularly the XBB strains, which are descendants of the highly transmissible omicron variant. While hospitalizations have slightly increased, they are nowhere near the levels seen last year. The public is urged to stay updated on vaccinations, get the new COVID vaccine formulation when available, and continue indoor masking, especially in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces.
Five of the 10 dirtiest beaches in California are in San Mateo County, with Linda Mar Beach in Pacifica ranking third worst, according to an annual report by environmental group Heal the Bay. The beaches scored poorly due to poor water circulation in enclosed areas or along the bay. The low rankings are not due to winter rains, but rather water quality during dry months when more testing is done. High levels of fecal indicator bacteria can lead to infections and illness. However, beaches north of the Golden Gate received good ratings during the summer period, and Bean Hollow State Beach was among the two cleanest in the state based on year-round testing.