December 2, 2020 @ 4:00 p.m.
Every Wednesday, Dr. Sherrill Brown, Medical Director, Infection Prevention; Berenice Constant, Vice President, Government Affairs and Civic Engagement; and Steven Satzger, Director, Learning and Training, update our clinic and corporate line of business leaders.

You can listen to today's recording here.
Sherrill Brown, MD
Berenice Constant
Steven Satzger
Questions & 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 that most questions will be answered individually prior to being shared anonymously with staff.

How to Stay Informed
  • Wednesday morning COVID-19 huddles
  • Wednesday afternoon COVID-19 Alerts emailed to all employees
  • COVID-19 resource and policy pages on Town Square
  • altamed.org/coronavirus
  • Periodic emails, as needed

FAQs
  • Click here to read the weekly FAQs (there are no new questions this week)
  • Refer to the weekly FAQs in earlier editions of the COVID-19 Alert to see if your questions have already been answered
Q & A of the Week

Q: Are we stocking up on PPE (N95) so we will not be short-handed during the surge?
 
From the COVID-19 Response Team
A: We have already stocked up on PPE and have enough overall numbers of N95 masks to get us through this winter and spring. For those staff members who are fitted for some masks that have been unavailable on the market, we recommend trying to get refitted with some of our more plentiful masks, including the BYD mask that fits up to 90 percent of those that fit-tested for it. Supply Chain also has the fit testing solution in stock, if needed.
COVID-19 Surge Continues
 
Wear Your Masks at All Times
  • Face masks are to be worn at all times while at work (except when eating or drinking). Anytime we are in a room with someone else, we need to wear a surgical mask covering our mouth and nose. Whether at an administrative or non-administrative site, you need to wear a mask.
  • Managers: Please ensure that you are enforcing these regulations with your staff at all times. 

Coronavirus Vaccines
  • On Monday, December 1, the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted 13-1 to approve the interim recommendation that when a COVID-19 vaccine is authorized by the FDA and recommended by ACIP, vaccination in the initial phase, Phase 1A, should be offered to both health care personnel and residents of long-term care facilities.
  • Both Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are headed to the FDA for reviewPfizer's vaccine is expected be available under an Emergency Use Authorization on December 10 and Moderna's vaccine on December 17. 
  • California will distribute the vaccine in a four-phased approach, prioritizing vaccine distribution based on risk:
  • California anticipates getting approximately 327,000 doses in mid-December
  • Second doses are likely to follow within three weeks
  • Community Health Centers are in Phase 1B of the distribution

COVID-19 Tracker
  • Click here to see where California stands. Currently, all of Southern California has moved to the purple tier, described as widespread.
  • Purple tier counties, including Los Angeles and Orange, are still subject to the curfew from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. This is in effect until Monday, December 21.
World AIDS Day

Tuesday, December 1 marked World AIDS Day and AltaMed joined organizations around the world in remembering those who lost their battle to AIDS-related illness. Alejandro Chavez and Carlos Delira-Zepeda from our HIV Prevention team went live on Instagram to lead a series of discussions around testing, PrEP, and living with HIV.

They were joined by special guests who shared their personal experiences in navigating their health through this ongoing epidemic. Watch Robin Barkins share her powerful story of living with HIV (starting at 29 minutes). They also led a virtual memorial to celebrate the memories of loved ones who have passed. Learn more about HIV prevention and care services at AltaMed.
Flu Vaccines Still Available to Employees


Influenza Surveillance Report
Click the influenza surveillance report as provided by the CDC to follow how the flu is progressing throughout the country.
AltaMed Safety Guidelines

  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 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. Patient-facing staff, including front office if no plexiglass barrier is used, should wear a face shield or eye covering in addition to a face mask—avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  6. Employees must wear appropriate PPE when on site.
Human Resources Reminder
 
Quarter 4 mandatory training is due on Friday, December 4. If you have not already done so, please complete your training by this date. An email notification was sent to each employee who has not yet completed their mandatory training.

Managers: Please follow up with your staff to ensure they comply with the training requirement by the due date.
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.