Health

Santa Cruz and Monterey counties were included in a list of areas statewide where people have been severely sickened by Amanita phalloides—commonly known as the death cap mushroom. A group of doctors from across California warned Jan. 14 that foraging for wild mushrooms can be...

Food pantries across South County are experiencing unprecedented demand following the suspension of SNAP benefits due to the federal government shutdown, with lines wrapping around blocks and new families seeking assistance at rates not seen since the COVID-19 pandemic. The Reach Out Food Pantry in...

May is National Bicycle Safety Month, and Gilroy Police are encouraging everyone to participate safely and reminding drivers to be extra alert for more people pedaling and walking on the roads.  “Everyone deserves to reach their destination safely,” Gilroy Police Sgt. Michael McMahon said. “Unfortunately,...

The American Red Cross is urging people to mark the fall season by donating blood or platelets to help the Bay Area’s supply strong.  Upcoming blood donation events are scheduled at locations in Gilroy and Morgan Hill in the coming weeks. From 10am-4pm Oct. 9,...

While transmission of respiratory syncytial virus has begun to plateau in Santa Clara County, the county's top health official said Tuesday that Covid-19 and flu transmission continue to rise. Covid virus concentration in each of the county's sewersheds in San Jose, Palo Alto, Gilroy and...

With seemingly constant rain storms pummeling the South Bay so far this winter, a federal drought monitoring program recently downgraded most of Santa Clara County from “Severe” to “Moderate” drought. But local water supply authorities warn that residents and property owners should continue to...

He’d been waiting years for a service dog—years marked by crippling anxiety, years of waitlists, years of prices he couldn’t hope to pay. Running out of options, the Marine veteran called a local dog trainer named Mary Cortani and made a desperate plea. That call...

Santa Clara County announced Tuesday that it has acquired the new Novavax Covid-19 vaccine and will begin administering the vaccine at all County Health System vaccination sites on Aug. 2. Unlike the currently available Pfizer and Moderna vaccines that use an mRNA-based approach to developing...

On Aug. 12, 2022, a man arrived at the trauma unit of the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose bleeding from multiple stab wounds to his wrist and abdomen. Doctors determined that he had stabbed himself with a four-inch knife. After emergency surgery...

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District on June 17 announced a new subscription service that can notify residents via text and email of incidents impacting county-level and regional air quality. Residents can sign up for air quality incident notifications on the district's website, at...