May 28, 2020
Facebook Live with CC Health Officer Dr. Chris Farnitano
Contra Costa County's Health Officer, Dr. Chris Farnitano answers questions from the news media and public about COVID-19, public health orders, and the county's response to the current health emergency.

Live Streamed Wednesday, May 27, 2020 on The Contra Costa Health Services   Facebook page.

Click on video to watch in Facebook.
AD HOC COMMITTEE ON COVID-19 ECONOMIC IMPACT AND RECOVERY
The public has an opportunity to comment to the County Health Officer and Supervisor Andersen and Supervisor Mitchoff at the next:

AD HOC COMMITTEE ON COVID-19
ECONOMIC IMPACT AND RECOVERY
May 28, 2020 at 1:00PM


Public comment may be submitted via electronic mail on agenda items at least one full work day prior to the published meeting time.

For Additional Information Contact:
Julie DiMaggio Enea, Committee Staff
Phone (925) 335-1077, Fax (925) 646-1353

A Message from Contra Costa County Health Director, Anna M. Roth
Many of us recognize the acute danger that COVID-19 poses for each of us and our communities, and therefore the need for masking, sheltering and distancing. At the same time, we’re all ready to get back to work, to school, to the many activities that we considered normal before this pandemic struck.
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In Contra Costa County, and indeed throughout the Bay Area, we have seen the benefit of quick, definitive, science-based action. Because of the shelter in place orders and your observance of these health orders, we have largely avoided the devastation that has played itself out in other parts of the nation and world. Your collective sacrifices have saved the one thing that can’t be replaced: lives. But what’s next? When do we put this horrible pandemic behind us and resume life as we once knew it? What is the path forward?
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For everyone looking for a date to put on the calendar, I’m afraid I have to disappoint. We are dealing with a virus that won’t be contained by a clock. COVID-19 is capricious by its nature. That isn’t to say we haven’t made concrete progress. 
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Get Tested.
.
By appointment only
Call 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., 7 days a week

Anyone living in Contra Costa County can get a test for COVID-19 ( click to read press release ) thanks, in part, by the generous support of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.
 
There is no up-front cost for testing. You do not need medical insurance to get tested, however, if you have health insurance, your insurance will be billed. 
 
You can get a test at sites around the county or by calling your healthcare provider. You do not need a doctor’s note to schedule a test but you must make an appointment. 
County Department Closures and Service Modifications
As the county continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, many non-essential county functions from across departments have been temporarily modified to comply with the Bay Area-wide Shelter in Place Order.

Please Click Here for the most current information regarding closures and service modifications for County Departments
2020 Graduation Guidelines
As the end of the school-year approaches, health officials in Contra Costa County are urging schools to host virtual graduation ceremonies online instead of in-person celebrations in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

"We recognize the need for people to connect and celebrate," said Dr. Chris Farnitano, Contra Costa County's health officer. "However, gatherings like graduation ceremonies are a major contributor to the spread of COVID-19."

Schools have been closed since March when county health officials issued a shelter in place order requiring people to stay home as much as possible and practice social distancing in public. Classes have since been held virtually with students studying from home online.

"We are all thinking of the high school seniors in our county and others who will be missing out on the traditional graduation and promotion ceremonies that signify an important rite of passage," said Lynn Mackey, Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools.

"I am truly grateful that Contra Costa Health Services is providing this guidance so that schools can work within a set of parameters to still plan for and create meaningful graduations."
For schools who are unable to hold virtual graduations, Contra Costa Health Services has  issued guidance  on how to hold in-person ceremonies safely.

One option is a drive-through ceremony where students can pick up their diplomas with their parents and siblings in the car (up to six people). One family at a time will be allowed to approach a graduation table/station where their student would receive a diploma. Attendees would need to wear masks or face coverings.

Another option recommended by health officials involves a small group of 25 students or fewer. In this scenario, students would wear masks, stay six feet apart and practice social distancing. This ceremony would not include the parents/caregivers of the students or their extended families, but it could be filmed for them to view at a later time.

School districts with questions about safety graduation ceremony logistics should contact the  Contra Costa County Office of Education .
VA Northern California Health Care System Update
Getting accurate guidance regarding Veteran health care can be frustrating during a pandemic. To provide some clarity to the Northern California Veteran community, we’ve provided several updates and reminders below regarding  VA Northern California Health Care System   (VA NorCal) and its response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

APPOINTMENTS and TELEHEALTH
We are asking that if you would like an appointment at a VA NorCal facility, please contact our Call Center at 1-800-382-VETS beforehand to discuss appointment options. We continue to encourage Veterans use phone or video (telehealth) appointments, whenever possible. Learn more about telehealth at  https://telehealth.va.gov/  or contact your VA NorCal health care provider to discuss further.
 
MASKS, SCREENING, and VISITOR POLICIES
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is critical we continue to minimize exposure among our Veteran patients and VA staff. Therefore, VA NorCal continues to take these steps toward protecting the health and well-being of the Veteran community:
  • Masks: To gain entry to a VA NorCal facility, all VA employees, Veterans, and visitors are required to wear a cloth face covering or mask. If Veterans do not have a cloth face covering, one will be provided at our facilities.
  • Screening: VA NorCal continues to conduct thorough COVID-19 screenings at each of our 12 sites of care. We have restricted access to only one or two points of entry at most of our buildings. Near those entries, we have stationed VA personnel who screen each patient, staff, or visitor for symptoms that require further assessment.
  • Visitor policy: To access a VA NorCal facility, visitors (non-patients) must be both 18 years or older and necessary for the in-person care of a patient (there are a few exceptions which will be considered on a case-by-case basis).
Census2020 and COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic and shelter in place guidelines have impacted Census Bureau field operations and Census outreach activities. 

The Census Bureau issued a Statement on 2020 Census Operational Adjustments due to COVID-19 indicated the Census Bureau is seeking statutory relief from Congress to allow for an additional 120 calendar days to deliver appropriation counts. This plan would extend the window for field data collection and self-response to October 31, 2020, which will allow for apportionment counts to be delivered to the President by April 30, 2021, and redistricting data to be delivered to the states no later than July 31, 2021. 

Clerk-Recorder Offering Online Wedding Ceremonies!