County Prepares for First Allocation of COVID-19 Vaccine |
|
County of Orange health officials began receiving doses of the Pfizer-manufactured COVID-19 vaccine this week. The Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) will distribute this initial supply to Orange County (OC) hospitals for prioritization of their high-risk health care workers as part of Phase 1a of a multi-phased plan developed through the CDPH Community Vaccine Advisory Committee.
As more doses of the vaccine become available, a greater portion of the Phase 1a population can anticipate vaccine availability in late December. This includes residents of long-term care facilities, which includes skilled nursing facilities and assisted living facilities, who will coordinate obtaining doses through national retail pharmacies being supplied by the CDC. The COVID-19 vaccine is likely to become more readily accessible to the general public in spring 2021.
To view the CDPH Community Vaccine Advisory Committee’s Phase 1a Guidelines for California Local Health Departments, please click here.
To view the latest vaccine information from HCA, please click here.
|
|
8 Things to Know About the U.S. COVID-19 Vaccination Program |
|
Now that there is an authorized and recommended vaccine to prevent COVID-19 in the United States, here are 8 things the CDC wants you to know about the new COVID-19 Vaccination Program and COVID-19 vaccines.
- The safety of COVID-19 vaccines is a top priority.
- COVID-19 vaccination will help protect you from getting COVID-19. Two doses are needed.
- Right now, the CDC recommends that the COVID-19 vaccine be offered to health care personnel and residents of long-term care facilities
- There is currently a limited supply of COVID-19 vaccine in the United States, but the supply will increase in the weeks and months to come.
- After COVID-19 vaccination, you may have some side effects. This is a normal sign that your body is building protection.
- Cost is not an obstacle to getting vaccinated against COVID-19.
- The first COVID-19 vaccine is being used under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Many other vaccines are still being developed and tested.
- COVID-19 vaccines are one of many important tools to help us stop this pandemic.
Learn about COVID-19 vaccine facts by clicking here.
|
|
County Expands At-Home, Saliva-Based COVID-19 Testing to All Residents |
|
The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) has launched phase 2 of its at-home, saliva-based COVID-19 testing program with Ambry Genetics for all Orange County residents.
Those who live in Orange County may visit ochealthinfo.com/covidtest and register to receive a test kit shipped directly to their home at no cost. Ambry Genetics is able to process 4,000 tests each day with a 48-hour turnaround time for notification of results.
If an online order is placed for a kit by 1 p.m., Monday through Friday, the kit will arrive the next day. For orders placed after 1 p.m. on Friday, or any time on Saturday or Sunday, the kit will arrive the following Tuesday. The Ambry Genetics lab receives kits every Monday through Saturday, runs testing, and reports out test results 7 days a week.
To read the full press release and for more information, click here.
|
|
Sign Up for ‘CA Notify' to Get COVID-19
Exposure Alerts by Phone
|
|
“CA Notify” is a new digital tool launched by the state to help reduce the transmission of COVID-19. Californians can opt in to receive COVID-19 notifications informing them if they have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for the virus. CA Notify protects privacy and security — it does not collect device location to detect exposure and it does not share a user’s identity. It was developed in partnership with Google and Apple, and piloted with the help of the University California, San Diego and the University of California, San Francisco.
The free CA Notify app can be downloaded on Android phones. For iPhones, it can be enabled through settings.
When people voluntarily activate CA Notify, the app uses Bluetooth technology to exchange random codes between phones without revealing the user’s identity or location. If a CA notify user test positive for COVID-19, they will receive a verification code to plug into the app, if they choose. Any other CA Notify users who have been within 6 feet for 15 minutes or more of the COVID-19 positive individual will get an anonymous notification of possible exposure.
It gives people the information they need to make responsible decisions about quarantine and testing.
|
|
OC Health Care Agency Wants Everyone to Get a Flu Shot |
|
As flu season continues and COVID-19 cases rise, the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) urges everyone to get a flu shot.
According to the HCA, below are a few ways to get the flu shot:
- Ask your doctor - If you have health insurance, you can get a flu shot from your medical provider. It is usually free. Ask your doctor about it.
-
Find a clinic - The list of local clinics providing flu vaccine, click here.
-
Go to a pharmacy - Visit the Health Map Vaccine Finder to find a pharmacy where you can get flu shots. Check with your health plan to see if it’s covered.
- Visit an HCA flu clinic - If you don’t have a doctor or health insurance, you can get a free flu shot from the Health Care Agency Flu Clinic.
|
|
Public Assistance Benefits Available Online or by Phone |
|
Due to the recent Stay-at-Home Order, the County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) highly encourages residents to apply for and/or access their essential public assistance benefits and services by phone at 800-281-9799 or online at www.mybenefitscalwin.org. It will help people avoid in-office visits for their safety and the safety of the community.
The following SSA regional office locations are currently open to the public with limited functionality on Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Aliso Viejo
- Anaheim
- Garden Grove
- Santa Ana
The same services being provided from the regional offices can be done online as well the SSA Call Center. SSA urges OC residents to use alternative access points if possible.
Click here to access the press release.
|
|
Assistance for Businesses and Nonprofits
Affected by COVID-19
|
|
On November 30, Governor Gavin Newsom announced a new $500 million program, the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program, to provide grants of up to $25,000 to small businesses and nonprofits in California.
Nonprofits in either 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) categories with yearly gross revenues of $2.5 million or less will be eligible for a grant through the new program. Nonprofits in all fields of work are eligible; in fact, arts and cultural institutions are explicitly included.
The California Office of Small Business Advocated (CalOSBA) is establishing the program. For updates on availability visit here.
To provide additional economic relief, on December 15, the Orange County Board of Supervisors voted to allocate $10 million from the General Fund to meet emergency needs to support residents and small businesses. The economic relief will be divided equally between Supervisorial districts and more information will become available here.
|
|
Property Tax Relief for Small Business Owners and Homeowners During COVID-19 |
|
The Governor issued an Executive Order that allows the County Treasurer to cancel penalties for small business owners and homeowners who complete and file a penalty cancellation request form and pay the base property taxes on their first and second secured bills by May 6, 2021. See the complete details on this program and qualifications click here.
To view the County Treasurer’s press release, click here.
|
|
CalOptima Regulatory Alerts |
|
Due to the rapidly changing situation surrounding COVID-19, CalOptima is posting a roundup of federal/state rules, guidance and news related to COVID-19. It will be updated frequently.
Below are the recent COVID-19 Regulatory Highlights:
-
CDPH LHD Conference Call Notification Weekly COVID-19 Update Call Notes (posted 12/9/20)
-
CDPH HCF Conference Call Notification Weekly COVID-19 Update Call Notes (posted 12/9/20 and 12/2/20)
-
CDPH All Facilities Letter (AFL) 20-48.2 Transfers to Low Acuity Alternative Care Sites During COVID-19 (posted 12/8/20)
-
CDPH SNF Conference Call Notification Weekly COVID-19 Update Call Notes (posted 12/4/20)
Providers and other health care professionals with questions can contact CalOptima Provider Relations by phone at 714-246-8600 or email at providerservices@caloptima.org.
|
|
How to Contact CalOptima During the COVID-19 Pandemic |
|
CalOptima Customer Service remains ready to respond to member needs. Members can call Customer Service from the safety of their home, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We have staff who speak their language.
-
Medi-Cal toll-free: 1-888-587-8088
-
OneCare Connect toll-free: 1-855-705-8823
-
OneCare toll-free: 1-877-412-2734
-
TTY 711
-
PACE: 1-714-468-1100; toll-free: 1-855-785-2584
-
PACE TTY: 1-714-468-1063
Our buildings are closed to members but we are continuing to serve our members through our Customer Service phone lines, as we adhere to guidelines to reduce the possibility of COVID-19 transmission.
CalOptima
505 City Parkway West
Orange, CA 92868
Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)
13300 Garden Grove Blvd.
Garden Grove, CA 92843
County Community Service Center
Limited community partners are providing services on-site. CalOptima services are being provided remotely to ensure the safety of our members and employees.
15496 Magnolia Street, Suite 111
Westminster, CA 92610
For CalOptima specific updates on COVID-19, please visit our home page at www.caloptima.org.
National information can be found on the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) website at www.coronavirus.gov and local information can be found at the Orange County Health Care Agency (OC HCA) website at www.occovid19.ochealthinfo.com.
|
|
Interested in subscribing to this newsletter? Click here to sign up! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
