March 16, 2020 @ 7:`15 p.m.
Latest Statistics

 Los Angeles County: 94 cases, 1 death
Orange County: 22 cases, 0 deaths
California: 335 confirmed cases, 6 deaths
Keeping You Informed

As we work together to keep our patients and each other healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic, we will be issuing these alerts to provide you with the latest information about the state of the outbreak and what you need to know. This is a very fluid situation however, and therefore this information may be subject to change.
Daily Briefing From Dr. Sherrill Brown,
Medical Director of Infection Prevention

  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – a face shield, face mask, and gloves must be worn correctly when treating a patient for cough, cold or fever systems. PPE must be worn appropriately to prevent transmission and to preserve these resources. We have posted instructions on how to safely use our PPE on Town Square. You can read those guidelines here. More PPE is on the way, but we must be mindful of using PPE efficiently by following our guidelines.
  • COVID-19 Testing Guidelines – we know only a small percentage have been infected with COVID-19. It is not necessary to test everyone presenting with Upper Respiratory Infection for COVID-19. Please reserve testing for higher suspicion for COVID-19 or for patients >65 or those with other comorbidities that put them at higher risk for developing severe COVID-19 disease. AltaMed is following CDC and LA County Department of Public Health guidelines for testing.
  • Dental – Effective 03/17/2020 through 03/30/2020, dental operations will be limited to emergency and emergency follow up patient care. All other services will be postponed until further notice.
  • Telephone Visits – we are working on options for patients and participants, so they may connect with providers from home.
Human Resources and Staffing

Dressing for Safety in Our Clinics and PACE Centers.

To minimize the chance of transmitting COVID-19, please take the following steps regarding clothing, recommended by Dr. Brown:

  • Wear a jacket, lab coat, or similar garment over your clothes while visiting with patients. It is recommended that providers do not wear ties for the time being.
  • Please be mindful of your AltaMed badge; do not let patients or participants touch your badge, and consider using badge clips rather than lanyards to avoid accidental contact.
  • Prior to leaving your clinic or PACE site:
  • Wash your hands thoroughly for 20 seconds.
  • If possible, change your clothes and shoes. 
  • Continue following the CDC’s recommended procedures regarding social distancing.
  • Wear a separate pair of shoes in clinic, remove them and change into different pair to wear home.
  • Upon returning home, it is recommended that you do not have direct contact with family or household members until you are fully changed and have had the chance to wash your hands and/or shower.
Social Distancing

  • Meetings should be held via WebEx whenever possible to accommodate social distancing of six-feet between people. The Information Technology department has boosted our WebEx capacity to 1,000 participants.
  • IT is working on policies and procedures to procure more laptops and outfit employee personal computers with software to work remotely. All requests need to be approved by the office of the Chief Operating Officer. More information will be forthcoming.
Temporary HR Policies in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic
 
  • Human Resources has drafted temporary workforce policies to allow us to respond proactively and effectively to the coronavirus pandemic to keep our patients and employees safe. We understand that events are impacting the lives of our employees and these temporary policies help us remain flexible as an organization to continue to meet our obligation to our patients and staff. Temporary policies have been distributed to managers, and if you have questions, please consult your supervisor.
 
Employees Considered High-Risk Individuals

  • As we work through planning for our Coronavirus Workforce Management needs during this time of national emergency, we recognize that some of our employees may need additional assistance based on the CDC and WHO guidelines for high-risk individuals. As an FQHC, we are committed to providing services to all our communities including our employees.
  • Please review the CDC link below. If you fall within the categories for high risk, including pregnancy, please contact the Human Resources’ Benefits team at Benefits@AltaMed.org by end of day Tuesday, March 17 so we may consider providing you with additional resources. 
  • Your information will remain confidential visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/high-risk-complications.html#who-is-higher-risk
Government Relations Update

In the City of Los Angeles

Los Angeles City Mayor Eric Garcetti announced the following directives to combat COVID-19 in a virtual press conference on Sunday, March 15:
 
  • Los Angeles City bars and nightclubs will close and restaurants must halt dine-in service and limit their business to takeout orders and delivery, effective midnight March 16 until March 31; taking Governor Newsom’s directive one step further.
  • Los Angeles City retail businesses, gyms and fitness centers will be closed.
  • Grocery stores, pharmacies and food banks will remain open.
  • There will be a moratorium on evictions during this time.

In California

Governor Gavin Newsom announced directives to limit the transmission of COVID-19 on March 15:

  • Home isolation of everyone in the state over age 65.
  • Mandatory closure of all bars, wine bars, breweries and pubs, and called for restaurants to reduce their occupancy by half.
  • Prohibition of visitors to nursing homes.
  • Mandatory isolation order for people age 70 and above.
  • Plans to shelter the homeless in trailers, hotels and motels are also underway.

 Nationwide State of Emergency Declared by the President,
Emergency Relief Package Being Worked on in Congress

The emergency declaration allows Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to send funds back to the states for costs relating to caring for patients with COVID-19 and preventing the spread of the virus.
 
After the President declared the federal state of emergency, House Speaker Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Mnuchin began negotiations on an economic stimulus package to address the coronavirus pandemic. The Senate cancelled its recess this week to take up the legislation. More to come as things develop.