All articles tagged with #santa clara county
The Terra restaurant inside Valley Fair’s Eataly was temporarily closed after Santa Clara County health inspectors found a live cockroach near the hand-wash sink and dead roaches; after a follow-up inspection and remediation in coordination with the health department, the restaurant reopened.
Santa Clara County officials confirmed the Bay Area’s first human West Nile virus infections of 2026, with two unrelated residents recovering at home; officials say the infections may be travel-related during the incubation period. West Nile is transmitted by mosquitoes and most infections are mild, but serious illness can occur and there is no human vaccine. Local mosquito testing has detected West Nile in the county this year, and residents are urged to drain standing water, report dead birds, and use mosquito repellents (DEET or oil of lemon eucalyptus), especially at dawn and dusk. Statewide, five other human cases have been confirmed this year, and public health notes past years saw regional deaths.
A South Bay resident with measles may have exposed people after visiting San Francisco International Airport's International Terminal on June 8 (8:30–11 a.m.) and two San Jose locations (Trader Joe’s on Coleman Avenue and the International Halal Market on E Santa Clara Street) from 8 to 10 p.m.; Santa Clara County Public Health is coordinating with state and federal agencies to identify close contacts, advise unvaccinated individuals who were at the sites to monitor for symptoms and quarantine, and stress that two-dose MMR vaccination remains highly protective against measles. Exposed individuals should watch for symptoms for 7–21 days and seek care if pregnant, immunocompromised, or not immunized.
Santa Clara County prosecutors have issued an arrest warrant for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk on suspicion of misdemeanor exhibition of speed related to a video showing him driving over the speed limit; the case is docketed as an adult traffic matter with no hearing date yet. If convicted, penalties can include fines, license suspension and potential jail time. Aiyuk’s status with the team has been unstable after an ACL injury in 2024 and subsequent contract disputes.
A Santa Clara County woman known as the 'party mom' was sentenced to 35 years and 10 months in state prison after hosting alcohol-fueled teen parties during the COVID-19 pandemic and encouraging sexual assaults; Shannon O'Connor faced charges including facilitating the forcible sexual assault of a minor, child endangerment, and witness intimidation, with multiple victims delivering impact statements before the court handed down the lengthy sentence, which is expected to run about 27 years with time served.
Santa Clara County filed a lawsuit against Meta Platforms claiming the company enabled or profited from high‑risk scam ads on Facebook and Instagram, potentially totaling billions in annual revenue. The suit cites leaked internal documents and alleges Meta failed to remove scam ads, curbed anti-scam efforts to protect profits, allowed middlemen to sell ad accounts, targeted users who had clicked similar scams, and even that generative AI tools aided scam creators. Meta denies knowingly allowing fraud and says it fights scams. The county seeks restitution, civil penalties, and an injunction. The piece also notes that analysts currently rate META as a Strong Buy with a price target around $817.71, implying about 35-36% upside.
Santa Clara County Public Health is investigating an outbreak of Legionella at Kaiser Permanente’s Santa Clara Medical Center, with at least 18 people infected. Legionella grows in large, complex plumbing and is spread by inhaling water droplets. The source has not yet been located; Kaiser is implementing additional water-treatment and preventive measures and says hospital operations continue normally. Health officials say the overall risk to the broader community is low, though Legionnaires’ disease can cause pneumonia, particularly in older adults or immunocompromised individuals; treatment is with antibiotics and most patients recover.
A Santa Clara County resident diagnosed with measles, who recently traveled abroad, visited a Burlingame Panda Express and other locations while contagious, triggering exposure notices for people who were at the restaurant between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 23–24, 2026. The patient is vaccinated and isolating at home; health departments in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties are notifying potentially exposed individuals and urging vaccination, noting that measles is highly contagious and national cases are rising amid uneven vaccination rates.
Severe winds reaching 114 mph caused significant damage to Lick Observatory near San Jose, including the collapse of a shutter section and structural beams, leading to a temporary closure for repairs. The historic telescope remains undamaged, but its lenses and electrical systems are vulnerable to rain. The university is assessing the damage and planning restoration efforts, marking the most serious wind-related damage in the observatory's 137-year history.
Santa Clara County officials have identified the invasive Aedes aegypti mosquito in six locations, including four in San Jose. Known for aggressive daytime biting, this mosquito can transmit diseases like dengue and Zika. The county urges residents to eliminate standing water and cooperate with inspections to prevent the mosquito from establishing a permanent presence. Efforts include larvicide spraying and public education on protective measures. The mosquito's spread is linked to climate change, and its presence is noted in 19 California counties.
Santa Clara County officials will spray an East San Jose neighborhood with a bacterial pesticide next week to eradicate invasive Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which can carry diseases like Zika and dengue. The treatment targets mosquito larvae and is safe for humans and wildlife. The county plans multiple sprayings over the next few months to control the mosquito population, which poses a low but significant health risk. Residents are advised to eliminate standing water and use insect repellents to protect against bites.
Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, known for transmitting deadly viruses, have been found in Santa Clara County, prompting vector control measures. Residents are urged to eliminate standing water on their properties to prevent mosquito breeding. The mosquitoes, which prefer humans and are aggressive day-biters, can spread diseases like Zika and dengue. The county is implementing eradication plans and specialized traps in the affected area, while urging residents to report sightings and take preventive measures.
Apple has laid off 614 employees in Santa Clara County, affecting eight different locations and impacting job titles such as machine shop managers, hardware engineers, and product design engineers. The layoffs were filed on March 28 and will go into effect on May 27, with no mention of a specific project connection.
Thousands of nurses from Santa Clara County's public hospitals, including Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, O'Connor, and St. Louise, are on a three-day strike over wage increases and concerns about relocating nurses for temporary assignments. The union and county have reached a tentative agreement on workplace safety but remain at an impasse over pay raises and the "floating" policy. The county has brought in about 1,000 travel nurses to cover for the striking nurses, costing over $20 million, while facing a $250 million shortfall going into the next fiscal year.
The closure of the trauma center at Regional Medical Center in East San Jose, owned by HCA Healthcare, has raised concerns about the strain it will place on the Santa Clara County public hospital system, particularly impacting vulnerable residents. County doctors fear a surge in trauma patients being admitted to the ill-equipped Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, potentially breaking the county medical system. Residents are mobilizing to address the lack of communication and potential impact on East San Jose residents, while HCA Healthcare cites financial strain and regulatory requirements as reasons for the closures.