December 13, 2021 @ 3:30 p.m.
Weekly COVID-19 Briefing
Every Tuesday, Dr. Sherrill Brown, Medical Director, Infection Prevention; Olivia Lee, Manager, Legislative and Advocacy Affairs; and Diego Fuentes, Manager, Benefits and Leave of Absence, update our clinic and corporate line of business leaders.

Please Note: Today's scheduled COVID Huddle was not held due to a technical issue, but the notes are attached. We will resume with our regularly scheduled COVID Huddle next Tuesday, December 21.

You can read the notes here.
Sherrill Brown, M.D.
Olivia Lee
Diego Fuentes
Infection Prevention Updates

The number of Omicron cases is starting to increase, and experts predict it could be the predominant variant in the U.S. by the beginning of January. Studies have shown that full vaccination with an mRNA booster is our best protection against Omicron. If you have not yet received your booster, please get it as soon as possible.

Ongoing Safety Measures
Continue to practice the safety measures we have recommended all along:
  • When indoors, masking at all times around people from outside your household. When outdoors in a crowded space, wear your mask. If you must gather for food/drinks, gather outdoors in a space with plenty of ventilation.
  • Wear well-fitting surgical, KN95, or cloth masks with at least three layers. Each time you remove your mask, this is a portal of entry for COVID-19. Delta and Omicron are highly contagious, and most people do not know they are contagious until it is too late. Please only remove your masks briefly to eat and drink.

All Hands Reminder
For the All Hands Event tomorrow, many of us will be eating lunch with our colleagues, so please only remove you mask briefly to eat or drink. As long as we continue to follow our safe environment measures of distancing, masking, screening, frequent hand-washing, cleaning high touch surfaces, and vaccination, we will continue to be protected and safe at work and out in the community. 
Employees Can Schedule for Their Boosters

As health care workers, AltaMed employees are eligible to receive the COVID-19 boosters. The FDA and the CDC have given mixing and matching vaccine types the green light. Appointments for employee boosters are required.

How to Schedule Your Booster
  1. Email Employee Health.
  2. Call Employee Health at (323) 765-6153.
  3. Contact the Employee Health lead at your respective clinic.

If You Receive the Booster Outside of AltaMed
  • If you get your COVID-19 booster outside of AltaMed, email proof (photo of the vaccination record card) to Employee Health so they may update their records.

After you receive your booster, click here for additional information.
COVID-19 Vaccinations for Children
 
AltaMed continues to provide the COVID-19 vaccination to children ages 5 to 11 who are AltaMed patients. Please urge parents to call the Vaccine Hotline at (888) 909-5232 to schedule an appointment for their child. They can also register or log in to the child's MyAltaMed account to schedule an appointment.

Upcoming Community Event
¡Andale! ¿Que Esperas? is hosting a Christmas Posada on Saturday, December 18 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at AltaMed Medical and Dental Group – South Gate. Click on the flyer for more information—please share with your patients and community partners. The event will offer both COVID-19 and flu vaccines for adults and minors, who must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Vaccines are available while supplies last. 
Appointments for Flu Shots Available to Employees

AltaMed continues to provide free flu shots to all its employees, by appointment only.
  • AltaMed clinics are providing the flu vaccine to employees. Contact the Employee Health lead at your site to schedule an appointment.
  • Contact Employee Health or call (323) 765-6153 to schedule your flu shot or to request a high-dose flu vaccine. Again, appointments are required.
  • If you receive the flu vaccine outside of AltaMed, send proof of the vaccination to [email protected].
  • Employees who submit their proof of vaccination to Employee Health will be rewarded with 200 Vitality points.
  • Click here for the influenza declination form.
Staying Safe at Work

  1. Wear your masks—Face masks are to be worn at all times over your nose and mouth (except when drinking or eating), and should be stored properly or discarded. Patients need to wear masks at all times in examination rooms as well.
  2. Maintain hand hygiene—Staff should have easy access to hand sanitizer dispensers to clean hands frequently, and should wash their hands for 20 seconds at a time.
  3. Practice physical distancing—Stay six feet apart from other individuals whether inside or outside.
  4. Wipe down any work surfaces you touch.
  5. If employees need to be within six feet of someone for a prolonged period of time, wear a face shield and face mask in both administrative and clinical settings—avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. In addition, a face shield and face mask need to be worn at all times when interacting with patients.
  6. Employees must wear appropriate PPE when on site.
Human Resources Year-End Reminders

Review Your Personal Information
As the year concludes, Human Resources reminds employees to review their personal information in ADP, specifically their mailing address, to make sure it is current with our system of record. Doing so will ensure proper and safe delivery of employee W-2s and 1095 forms, which typically are mailed mid to late January. All address changes can be done via My HR Services located on the Human Resources section on Town Square.

PTO Donation Program for Employees
AltaMed continues to offer the PTO Donation program for employees who wish to donate hours to fellow employees. The program is designed to allow employees who have the available balance to transfer hours to employees who may have a dire need for them. All PTO donation requests must receive a first-level Supervisor approval before being processed by Human Resources. Request forms are located on the Benefits page of Town Square. For any questions, please contact [email protected].
Questions and Communications

We welcome your questions, suggestions, and input. We do review each question and respond appropriately, so please continue to email us—click here. Know that this is a safe space and most questions will be answered individually prior to being shared anonymously with staff.

How to Stay Informed

FAQs
  • Click here to read the most recent FAQs
  • Refer to the weekly FAQs in earlier editions of the COVID-19 Alert to see if your questions have already been answered
Please Note: If you are contacted by the media with questions about the coronavirus outbreak or for any other reason, please email Veronica Orozco, Sr. Manager, Public Relations. The Public Relations team monitors all media coverage of AltaMed (social and traditional platforms) to uphold our reputation. If you have questions and concerns regarding media coverage, please call Veronica at (323) 482-3073. If you'd like to read news releases from AltaMed, visit our external website, AltaMed.org under Newsroom.