County Activates Incident Management Team, Plans for Regional COVID-19 Vaccine Supersites |
|
The County of Orange is proactively leading Orange County’s response to COVID-19. The next critical phase is providing the vaccine to residents in a phased, tiered approach.
The County’s effort, named Operation Independence, has the objective of setting up regional vaccine points of dispensing (POD). Due to the scope and size of these PODs, based on the high demand for vaccines, these sites are being referred to as County Super PODs. The Super PODs are expected to dispense thousands of vaccines each day once they are fully operational.
Currently, vaccinations are being provided to Orange County residents and those who work in Orange County that fall within Phase 1a, all tiers. Vaccines will be dispensed at County Super PODs only to Orange County residents and those who work in Orange County who qualify. A vaccine will not be delivered unless identification and documentation of vaccine eligibility are presented at the site. To view a list of who is eligible to receive a vaccine, visit the OC Health Care Agency website.
|
|
Volunteers Needed With COVID-19 Vaccinations at
Points of Distribution
|
|
In anticipation of future needs, the Virtual Emergency Volunteer Center (EVC) is currently
pre-registering volunteers interested in assisting government staff with COVID-19 vaccinations at Points of Distribution (POD) sites this year.
The County of Orange is looking to establish two teams of volunteers willing to serve in these crucial volunteer roles:
Medical Trained Volunteers
- Medical licensed volunteers able to assist with vaccine preparation and distribution.
-
Currently licensed: Physicians (M.D., D.O. and M.D./D.O. students), Nurses (RN, LVN and Nursing Students), Physician/Nursing Assistants, Dentists, Medical Assistants, Paramedics and EMTs.
General Support Volunteers
- Volunteers able to assist in logistical support roles such as computer data entry, registration, traffic and other duties as assigned.
|
|
Othena App Manages COVID-19 Testing & Vaccination
|
|
Orange County residents can register to be notified when Othena, the vaccine-management app, is available.
Othena is a highly-secure (digitally encrypted and HIPAA compliant) app that matches you with vaccine providers, sets up your appointments, and guides you before, during, and after your vaccination. In addition to making an appointment for your primary vaccine, Othena will ensure you receive the correct second dose at the correct time.
|
|
Treasury and IRS Begin Delivering Second Round of Economic Impact Payments
|
|
The Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department began delivering a second round of Economic Impact Payments as part of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 to millions of Americans who received the first round of payments earlier during December 2020.
Authorized by the newly enacted COVID-relief legislation, the second round of payments, or “EIP 2,” is generally $600 for singles and $1,200 for married couples filing a joint return. In addition, those with qualifying children will also receive $600 for each qualifying child. Dependents who are 17 and older are not eligible for the child payment.
Payments are automatic for eligible taxpayers who filed a 2019 tax return, those who receive Social Security retirement, survivor or disability benefits (SSDI), Railroad Retirement benefits as well as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Veterans Affairs beneficiaries who didn’t file a tax return. Payments are also automatic for anyone who successfully registered for the first payment online at IRS.gov using the agency’s Non-Filers tool by November 21, 2020 or who submitted a simplified tax return that has been processed by the IRS.
For more information about Economic Impact Payments and the 2020 Recovery Rebate, key information will be posted on IRS.gov/eip. You can check the status of your payment at IRS.gov/getmypayment.
|
|
Updated Travel Advisory for State of CA |
|
Amid the current COVID-19 surge, it is imperative that California take steps necessary to curb the spread of COVID-19 and contain new sources of infection. The State is issuing the following recommendations, which supersede the Travel Advisory issued on November 13, 2020 and shall apply prospectively from January 6, 2021.
Non-Essential Travel [i]
- Except in connection with essential travel, Californians should avoid non-essential travel to any part of California more than 120 miles from one's place of residence, or to other states or countries. Avoiding travel reduces the risk of virus transmission, including by reducing the risk that new sources of infection and, potentially, new virus strains will be introduced to California.
- Non-essential travelers from other states or countries are strongly discouraged from entering California, and should adhere to the quarantine procedures set forth in Paragraph 3.
Quarantine Post-Travel
-
All persons arriving in or returning to California from other states or countries, should self-quarantine for 10 days [ii] after arrival, except as necessary to meet urgent critical healthcare staffing needs or to otherwise engage in emergency response. Additionally, this recommendation does not apply to individuals who routinely cross state or country borders for essential travel [iii].
A Local Health Officer may determine if and when the situation within the Local Health Officer's jurisdiction warrants measures that are more restrictive than this statewide order, and retains authority to implement such measures.
iii. "Essential travel" is travel associated with the operation, maintenance, or usage of critical infrastructure or otherwise required or expressly authorized by law (including other applicable state and local public health directives), including work and study, critical infrastructure support, economic services and supply chains, health, immediate medical care, and safety and security.
|
|
Governor Newsom’s Proposed Budget |
|
|
|
Governor Newsom unveiled his budget for 2021–22, laying out a $227.2 billion blueprint that would increase funding for immediate COVID-19 response. The budget also prioritizes funding to get all Californians vaccinated, provides direct relief to Californians facing job loss and eviction, doubles down on supports to small businesses and invests in safety and equity for all students.
The proposed budget would begin at the start of fiscal year, July 1, 2021.
|
|
Be Well OC Orange Campus Virtual Ribbon Cutting Event |
|
The opening of the first Be Well OC Campus was an extraordinary milestone, and cause for celebration for the Be Well OC movement and the community at large. This 60,000 square-foot state of the art facility includes both mental health and substance use treatment services, and is the first truly visible sign of systems change for mental health and wellness in Orange County.
CalOptima's CEO Richard Sanchez attended the virtual ribbon cutting event and shared, “Vulnerable populations are disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, and large numbers of CalOptima members live in the low-income neighborhoods hit the hardest by COVID-19. Our members feel the loss and stress of this challenging time. The Be Well OC campus network will be a tremendous resource for those experiencing a mental health crisis."
|
|
Help Promote Community Outreach Campaign:
Face, Hands and Feet
|
|
The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) launched an advertising and community outreach campaign to encourage OC residents to be vigilant to help slow the spread of COVID-19. It is called “Face. Hands. Feet. Protect Each Other.”
It features simple actions:
- Wear a FACE covering
- Wash HANDS often
- Stay 6 FEET apart
To help spread the word, HCA is working with community groups such as Latino Health Access, the OC Asian and Pacific Islander Community Alliance, the African American/Black, Vietnamese and Filipino communities, faith-based and social service organizations, chambers of commerce, ethnic restaurants and businesses.
Until there is a vaccine, there are things we can all do to stay healthy and to keep our families, friends and co-workers well.
Please, do your part:
- Stay home if you are sick
- Wear a face covering in public
- Stay at least 6 feet apart from others
- Wash your hands often
- Clean and disinfect surfaces
- Cover coughs and sneezes
- Avoid touching your face
For fliers, videos and more information in multiple languages including tips for what to do if you live in a large household and what to do if you test positive for COVID-19, go to www.ochealthinfo.com/protecteachother.
Please help protect yourself and others!
|
|
CalOptima Regulatory Alerts |
|
Due to the rapidly changing situation surrounding COVID-19, CalOptima is posting a roundup of federal/state rules, guidance and news related to COVID-19. It will be updated frequently.
Below are the recent COVID-19 Regulatory Highlights:
-
DHCS Updated COVID-19 Codes (posted 1/6/21)
-
CDPH HCF Conference Call Notification Weekly COVID-19 Update Call Notes (posted 1/6/21)
-
CDPH News Release: State Officials Announce Latest COVID-19 Facts (posted 1/6/21)
-
DHCS COVID-19 Vaccine Administration Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) (posted 1/6/21)
-
DHCS All Plan Letter (APL) 20-022: COVID-19 Vaccine Administration in the Medi-Cal program (posted 1/4/21)
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: 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 COVID-19 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.
|
|
Interested in subscribing to this newsletter? Click here to sign up! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
