SANTA CLARA COUNTY, Calif. (KRON) – In Santa Clara County, local organizations as well as the County Public Health Department and the City of San Jose are commemorating the 33rd World AIDS Day.

On Wednesday, a candlelight vigil, flag raising and other ceremonies will be held across the county.

Every December 1 since 1988, World AIDS Day has brought together people from around the world to fight HIV, show support for the millions of people living with HIV and to commemorate those who have died from AIDS-related illnesses.

The day also commemorates the 6,778 people diagnosed with HIV in the department since the start of the fight against the disease, including 4,956 people diagnosed with HIV.

Free public events are held in San Jos̩ and around the world Рevent details can be found at Silicon Valley World AIDS Day website.

“Santa Clara County has never stopped working to support people living with HIV by funding programs like the Getting to Zero New HIV Infections program,” said Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez .

“We already had the science we needed to stop new HIV infections and HIV-related deaths,” Chavez added.

“But the county has figured out that all the drugs and prevention in the world mean nothing if you don’t get them to the people who need them.”

It is reported that some racial and ethnic groups remain disproportionately affected by HIV.

In 2020, Hispanic / Latino residents accounted for 56% of new HIV diagnoses in the county – followed by African Americans accounting for nine percent of new cases, while representing only two percent of the county’s overall population.

“Over the past two years, county staff and community partners have continued to work tirelessly to maintain vital HIV services despite the heavy burden of the COVID-19 response,” said Dr Sarah Rudman, Assistant Santa Clara County Health Officer. Public health department.

“In some of the darker times, they continued to provide HIV tests, HIV prevention drugs and connections to HIV medical care that were a lifeline for community members in need. these services urgently. “

As of 2014, the county has had a consistently higher percentage of successful early lineage in medical care for people living with HIV compared to the national average.

The Santa Clara County Zero Initiative focuses on achieving zero new HIV infections, zero stigma and zero HIV-related deaths.

People with HIV who learn about their infections early and gain early access to medical care live longer, healthier lives and are less likely to pass the disease on to others.

World AIDS Day Events in Santa Clara County:

In-person and virtual options are available for each event.

San Jose city rotunda lights up for World AIDS Day
From Tuesday November 30 to Monday December 6
200 E rue ​​Santa Clara, San José, CA 95113
Sponsored by board member Raul Peralez

Proclamation to San José City Council
Tuesday November 30 at 11 a.m.
Councilor Raul Peralez
Recorded Live Stream: https://www.sanjoseca.gov/news-stories/watch-a-meeting

Santa Clara County Flag Raising Ceremony and Proclamation
Wednesday December 1 at 12:30 p.m.
In person: 70 W Hedding Street, McEntee Plaza, San Jose, CA 95110
Speakers: Supervisor Cindy Chavez and Dr Sarah Rudman, health assistant
Live broadcast on https://sccgov-org.zoom.us/j/99510135121 (Reunion ID 995 1013 5121)

Candlelight vigil at the Rotonde
Wednesday December 1st at 6 p.m.
Hosted by Silicon Valley Pride
In person: 200 E Santa Clara St, San Jose, CA 95113
Live broadcast on bit.ly/svpride-facebook and bit.ly/svpride-youtube