Riverside received $431 million from the federal government under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The money will cover costs that are necessary to respond to the ongoing public health emergency related to novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

This is the seventh highest allocation of CARES funding in the nation. Riverside County is the tenth largest county in the country by population.

“This federal funding is greatly important to Riverside County in its mission of public health and safety and supporting our health care system and communities,” Riverside County Board Chair V. Manuel Perez, Fourth District Supervisor said in a prepared statement.

The news comes as the California Department of Public Health on Friday announced the most recent statistics on COVID-19. California now has 39,254 confirmed cases and 1,562 deaths.

The county is working with state and federal partners to determine how the money will be distributed. Eligible costs run from March 1 through Dec. 30 and include COVID-19 public health emergency expenses related to medical needs, public health, public safety and compliance with public health measures.

The money cannot be used to cover projected revenue losses, such as loss of property tax revenue or sales tax revenue.

To learn more, read the CARES Guidance for State, Territorial, Local, and Tribal Governments issued by the federal government, and accompanying Frequently Asked Questions by clicking here. 

Image Sources

  • Covid-19 money: Shutterstock