September 23, 2020
OC Health Care Agency Wants Everyone to Get a Flu Shot
With the beginning of flu season, the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) is anticipating the potentially devastating effects of a double whammy of influenza and COVID-19 cases hitting in the fall and winter months and urges everyone to get a flu shot.

The County is launching a flu vaccine campaign designed to encourage people to get their flu shot so they have one less thing to worry about. The tag line is “Don’t worry about the flu, too.”

To help spread the word, social media images for Facebook and Twitter are at https://www.ochealthinfo.com/phs/about/family/flu/.

According to the HCA, below are a few ways to get the flu shot:

1. 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.

2. Find a clinic
The list of local clinics will be available in early October when the flu vaccine has been broadly distributed. Until then, please call (800) 564-8448 to ask if a free flu shot is available at a clinic near you.

3. 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.
 
4. Visit our 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.

Health Care Agency Flu Clinic
The Public Health Services Family Health Clinic will be offering free flu shots starting September 28, 2020 at 1725 W. 17th Street in Santa Ana, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (It is closed from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.) Appointments are required. To make an appointment call 1-800-914-4887. Flu shots are subject to availability. The Flu Mist is not available at this location. Visit vaccinefinder.org for a location offering the Flu Mist.
COVID-19 Testing for Students and School Employees
To learn more about testing locations, click here.
2020 Census Deadline Approaching
The Census has been extended to September 30, 2020.

How to fill out the Census:

  • Online by visiting the Census website and filling out the survey
  • Phone by calling the Census Bureau at 844-330-2020 and providing your answers
  • Mail by requesting a paper Census form that can be mailed back to the Census Bureau (English and Spanish only). The Census form was mailed to your home at the end of June. 
Back-to-School Events to Support Distance Learning
Starting September 22, the Orange County Public Libraries’ literacy program, OC READ / Families for Literacy (OC READ), will launch a series of Back-to-School events to support distance learning. The Back-to-School events will take place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the parking lot at the following library locations and dates:

  • Stanton Library on Thursday, September 24
  • Garden Grove Main Library on Tuesday, September 29
  • Garden Grove Chapman Library on Wednesday, September 30
  • La Habra Library on Thursday, October 1

The Back-to-School events will include free books and crafts provided by OC Public Libraries while families remain safely in their vehicles. Families may also see a glimpse of the libraries’ mascot, Rita Book the zebra, who will be making special appearances throughout.

The Back-to-School events will begin the same week OC Public Libraries reopen for Grab & Go service and public computer use. For more information about OC Public Libraries and service updates, visit www.ocpl.org.
Upcoming Webinars in the Community
Online Training for Community Workers
National Preparedness Month Info from the Red Cross
South County Emergency Preparedness Summit
CalOptima Regulatory Alerts
Due to the rapidly changing situation surrounding COVID-19, CalOptima is posting a round-up of federal/state rules, guidance and news related to COVID-19. It will be updated frequently.
 
The alerts below are posted to the CalOptima website when we receive them. For regulatory highlights prior to September 10, go to the Provider section of our website: www.caloptima.org/en/Features/COVID-19/ProviderCommunication.aspx

  • CDPH All Facilities Letter – AFL 20-71 - Recall Notice of Advoque Safeguard N95 Particulate Filtering Respirator (posted 9/16/20)
  • CDPH HCF Conference Call Notification – Weekly COVID-19 Update Call Notes (posted 9/15/20)
  • CDPH SNF Conference Call Notification – Weekly COVID-19 Update Call Notes (posted 9/11/20)
  • CDPH HCF Conference Call Notification – Weekly COVID-19 Update Call Notes (posted 9/11/20)
  • CDPH SNF Conference Call Notification – Weekly COVID-19 Update Call Notes (posted 9/10/20)

Providers and other health care professionals with questions can contact the Provider Relations department 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 toll-free: 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 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.
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